Millions of Americans are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. In many cases, loved ones will have to take care of these persons on a day-to-day basis. As an African American, though, you’re almost twice as likely to have a relative that will develop the disease.
Many caregivers will agree that it’s not necessarily easy to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease but developing a plan for daily care can be helpful.
Persons with Alzheimer’s disease don’t handle change very well. By creating a routine, you ensure that they have a comforting familiarity to look forward to.
That doesn’t mean you have to schedule everything to death. It’s enough to build their days around simple activities such as taking their medications, bath time, and a fun element they’ll enjoy.
Depending on how the disease has progressed, your loved one might be disgruntled or displeased with having decisions made for them. In this case, get them involved in simple decisions such as what they’d like to eat, what they’d like to wear, or what activity they’d like to do. Giving them a choice fosters good communication and maintains good mental health.
When you’re planning activities, always factor in extra time for delays. This time will be essential the more complex a task is.
If your loved one feels rushed or like they’re failing at a task they’ve been given, it will only lead to frustration for both of you. It’s best to take things slowly.
If your loved one had a pet before being diagnosed, it can be great for their mental health if the pet stayed. However, since they might not be able to take care of the pet as well as they used to, you’ll need to factor that into your daily routine.
Scheduling help such as the delivery of pet supplies or dog walking services may also take a little off your plate.
Health experts recommend that persons with Alzheimer’s disease keep as active as possible. The type of activity you choose will depend on the time of day your loved one has the most energy and is most aware. Some options include playing board games, going out to see a movie, going for a walk, visiting family or friends, and gardening.
Not only do persons with this disease need to eat well, but it’s also encouraged that they have a diet that focuses on brain health. That might not be easy to do if it involves making significant changes to what your loved one usually eats, though. In that case, it helps to introduce new foods slowly and get them involved in deciding what they’d like to try.
Another aspect that can take a toll on your loved one’s mental health is not being able to take care of themselves as well as they used to.
You can help them with that by keeping the nails trimmed, combing their hair, doing their makeup, or having them shave. If there are certain outfits that will make them feel better, you can pick them out as well.
While you’re taking care of your loved one, it’s important not to neglect your self-care. It can help to reach out to organizations or services that specialize in counseling caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Since the disease is a progressive one, it will be up to you to recognize the signs that your loved one needs more attention than you’re able to give. When that time comes, do your research and use all the resources available to aid your decision.
It can be challenging to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, especially as their condition deteriorates. Make sure to learn everything you can about what to expect and modify your daily routine as needed. Being flexible is the key to maintaining an effective caregiving relationship.
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