How to care for an elderly with Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer’s is a mental health condition usually seen in older people. It is a condition that gradually destroys memory and thinking capability. One of the main factors that can affect this condition is age. Studies show that individuals between the ages of 30 and 60 have symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's. ‘Late-onset Alzheimer’s occurs in individuals in their mid-sixties. 

Older people affected by this condition find it difficult to carry out their everyday activities. So, how can you help and care for an elderly with Alzheimer’s? 

Learn about the Condition

Alzheimer's is a grave condition, and if your loved one is suffering, you must know the symptoms and signs of Alzheimer’s to help them out. Here are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s commonly found in an individual. 

• It’s difficult for them to learn some new information.  
• Their thinking capacity slows down, and this makes it difficult to remember things.
• Disorientation
• Mood and behavioural changes
• Confused about events, place, and time
• Unfounded suspicions about family, friends or professional caregivers
• As the severity of the condition increases, they find difficulty sleeping, swallowing or even walking. 

As a caregiver, you must observe these changes in the individual and act accordingly. Try and communicate with them regularly as it can help you analyse their changing behaviours.

Set a Timetable

A daily routine or a timetable can help individuals lead a smooth life. So, if your loved one has Alzheimer’s, create a schedule for them and ensure that they follow it. This timetable can include simple activities like bathing, eating, or drinking water. Following a schedule can help them immensely, and they can carry out their daily activities hassle-free. 

Make sure that they are Mentally and Physically Active. 

Even though they are older, you can still encourage them to carry out a few simple physical activities like walking because it reduces cognitive changes. Physical exercises will help to release the tension in your joints and muscles and improve your heart rate. So, always make sure that you include physical activities in their daily routine so that they stay fit and healthy. 

It’s not just physical activities. An active mind will also help reduce cognitive changes. To keep their mind healthy, you must allow them to perform small activities themselves, like bathing, brushing their teeth or doing small household chores. You can always encourage them to read books or solve puzzles to keep their mind occupied. 

Make sure that they have Nutritious Food.

People with Alzheimer’s may lose interest in eating after a certain period. But, as a responsible caregiver, you must always see that you give them healthy and nutritious food and help them maintain a balanced diet. Studies have shown that regular eating habits and a balanced diet can also slow down the cognitive changes in our bodies. When preparing meals, you must include green leafy vegetables, berries, whole grains and other relevant food in their dishes. 

Always remind them to be Hygienic.

Encouraging them to be self-hygienic is one of the effective ways to improve their mood. You can see that there are times when they feel gloomy. But by encouraging them to groom themselves, you can shift their emotions. Apart from that, if they are hygienic, there are minimal chances of them getting affected by a disease or an infection. So, as a loving caregiver, ensure they always stay hygienic. 

Communicate with Them.

A person with Alzheimer’s may find it hard to put forward their thoughts in the form of words, and one of the reasons for this could be speech impairment. But, as a caregiver, you must see that they do not feel uncomfortable. Make sure that you encourage them to talk and express their emotions. 

When they cannot express their feelings, they become angry and frustrated. So, when speaking to them, ensure they can comprehend your message. 

To develop smooth and easy communication, you must make sure that:

• Your questions for them are easy to comprehend. 
• You give them time to understand and analyse what you have asked.
• You are patient with them because there might be times when you may have to instruct them more than once. 
• If you feel a conversation may lead to an argument, then make sure that you redirect the question. 
• You never force them to do something they lack interest in because this can again anger or frustrate them. 
• When you ask them a question, always avoid subjective ones; instead, give them options so they can make their choices easily.