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Relieve Daily Stresses of Alzheimer’s Disease With These Tips

Senior Care in Wooster OH

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be a stressful around-the-clock job, especially as the disease progresses. Not only do these family caregivers often have to take time off of work or cut back on hours, but they also have a difficult time keeping themselves healthy. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 74 percent of caregivers report they feel “somewhat” to “very” concerned over maintaining their own health. As your loved one’s health begins to deteriorate due to Alzheimer’s disease, having a senior care provider assist with the everyday care and monitoring of the elder will be necessary.

Caring for a family member with this disease can be a more relaxed experience by following these tips.

  • Create a daily routine. A regular routine will help make each day run more smoothly and is something that your loved one would also learn to follow. Include appointments, bathing, grooming, and other daily tasks. Make sure to include some wiggle room in the schedule for last minute activities.
  • Be flexible. Elders with this disease will need more time to complete tasks, so let them do these activities at their own pace. Trying to rush him may cause the senior to become upset, so give them plenty of time to do it on his or her own.
  • Let them help. If your loved one is able to assist, let them. Whether it is setting the table or put their clothes on, they will feel a sense of accomplishment by doing it by themselves. They may still need help picking out their clothes or knowing where the utensils should go, but let them do as much by themselves as they are able to.
  • Give them choices. Let the elder make some choices by themselves. For example, you could place two outfits in front of them, letting them pick the one they want to wear. You could also show the elder pictures of two meal options, allowing them to make the decision. Keep the options to one or two choices in order to avoid overwhelming your loved one.
  • Keep distractions to a minimum. When there are too many distractions, the elder will have a difficult time focusing on conversations or instructions. Turn off the TV, remove phones from the room, and all other noisy items that could hinder your loved one’s ability to focus.
  • Make the instructions simple. Provide one simple step at a time in order to make it easier for your aging parent to understand your instructions.

Whether your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or now requires constant supervision and help from a home care provider, these tips will make each day less stressful for both the caregiver and elder.

 

If you are considering hiring senior care in Wooster, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161.  Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.

 

Source:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers-caregiver/art-20047577

http://www.alz.org/facts/

 

Stephen Sternbach

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