Alzheimer's disease is a cognitive condition that robs people of their ability to function independently, and it takes its toll on a person's entire family. If you have a parent with this disease, you may want to try to maintain care in the home for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare your home and your family for this responsibility.
Consider Private Duty Home Nurses
Even if your parent is able to dress, bathe and eat independently, you might consider enlisting the help of a home nurse. Caring for a person with Alzheimer's is a 24-hour-a-day job, and a nurse can provide some respite for you and your spouse. In more serious cases where a parent may have lost some fine and gross motor functions, a nurse can help with bathing and feeding to help take some of the burden off of you.
Make Your Home Escape-Proof
Wandering out of the home is common for people with Alzheimer's or dementia. This can occur at any time of day or night, and it can put your parent in serious danger. There are several ways you can set up your home to prevent elopement and keep your loved one safe. Just a few ideas include:
If you already have a home security company, talk to a representative about extra precautions you can take that work with your existing alarm system.
Create A Memory Book
Having Alzheimer's disease doesn't meant that your parent has forgotten the past. In many cases, people with this disease struggle to sort out past memories from current events. You can create a memory book with pictures that tell your parent's life story using a regular photo album or scrapbook. Label each picture with names, dates and any other relevant information. This book can be a helpful way to sort out information on days when your loved one is confused. Some additional information to add to the book might include:
Invest In A Medical Alert Bracelet or Necklace
In the event that your parent experiences a medical emergency when you are not around, a medical alert bracelet can be a lifesaver. Your loved one might not be able to recall names of medicines and medical conditions when under stress, which is where medical alert jewelry comes in. Today's designs include charms with USB flash drives that emergency responders can use to read your parent's medical history and find your contact information.
Preparing to care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is a difficult and often thankless undertaking. You'll need to prepare your home and your family members for this change in your home. In addition to these ideas for senior home care, consider talking to a therapist to help maintain your focus and mental health while you care for your loved one. With the right preparation, the job of caretaking will become a little bit easier.
Share3 September 2015
Hiring a home care nurse can make things much easier to deal with for so many families. How do you choose the home care service that you use? Is there anything that you can do to make the nurse's job a little easier to accomplish each day. My blog is all about hiring a home care nurse and utilizing all of the services offered by the company. It is my hope that my years of having a home care nurse in my home will help you to find a comfortable and pleasant arrangement that keeps your family member comfortable and healthy for years to come.