Managing dementia can be a complex task that requires constantly changing your tactics. However, it is also important to recognize and address factors that can worsen Alzheimer’s disease. By learning and understanding these triggers and implementing effective management strategies, we can learn to support our loved ones better.
When caring for a senior with the disease, you need to be aware of the following potential complications and contact their physician for recommendations where applicable.
-Hearing impairment. Untreated age-related hearing loss has been found to have a significant impact on decline for our loved ones. Surprisingly, even a minor issue such as wax buildup in the ears can exacerbate the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
-Too much sugar. Sugar cravings are common for seniors with dementia, often leading to heightened irritability and agitation. This becomes more problematic when short-term memory loss causes overeating, as they may have forgotten they have already eaten some cookies.
-Anticholinergic medications. Medications are commonly prescribed to address a range of conditions, including allergies, asthma, muscle spasms, overactive bladder and sleeping problems. It is important to note that the chemical they target may also have a significant impact on memory and learning.
-Alcohol- Alcohol may also affect our seniors more severely than our younger adults, with one drink having the same impact as three for others. It leads to confusion, falls, disinhibition and depression, posing significant risk for seniors who have dementia.
-Isolation- Ensuring balance between both comfort and familiarity of home and socialization is important for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. A familiar environment of home provides a sense of security, socialization offers valuable opportunities for engagement and connection. By prioritizing both the comfort of home and socialization, seniors with Alzheimer’s can experience a well-rounded and fulfilling quality of life.
What Else Can You Do to Help Someone with Dementia?
Caring for someone with dementia is never a one-person task. Being a sole caregiver for a loved one with dementia can be challenging. It is important to establish a support network to help prevent caregiver burnout or depression and provide care for our loved ones.
Amy’s Helping Hands is a highly skilled and experienced dementia care team. We specialize in effective and creative care techniques to help improve the lives of those with dementia and their caregivers. Our approach is tailored to each unique situation, by providing as much or as little care is needed. Our goal is to make life the very best it can be for those affected by dementia.
We can help overcome the things that make Alzheimer’s worse and enrich life in additional ways, including:
- Preparing nutritious meals and snacks
- Providing transportation to medical appointments or anywhere else a senior would like to go
- Offering friendly companionship for conversations, reminiscing and engaging, meaningful activities
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Running errands, such as grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions
- And so much more.
To learn more about how we can improve the quality of life for someone you love, reach out to us any time at 519-915-4370.
