Spring Arbor Living Blog

Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging for the person diagnosed and for their family members and loved ones. Each day can bring new demands as the Alzheimer’s patient and family tries to cope with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can often seem overwhelming, but the more information you have, the better you can handle the future. Start by learning about ways to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as where to find support, and how to determine the long-term care options that are best suited to you and your loved one.

There are some Alzheimer’s care preparations that should be done in the early stages of the disease. It may be hard to consider these questions, however, making preparations early helps for a smoother transition for everyone. Depending on the stage of Alzheimer’s at diagnosis, it is important to include the patient in the decision-making process as much as possible.
 
Questions to consider in preparing for Alzheimer’s and dementia care:

Who will make healthcare/financial decisions when the person no longer can? While a difficult topic to bring up, if your loved one is still lucid enough, getting their wishes down on paper means they’ll be preserved and respected by all members of the family.

How will the memory care needs be met? Sometimes other family members assume that a spouse or nearest family member will be the caregiver, but that is not always the case. Caregiving is a large commitment that gets bigger over time. The patient will eventually need round-the-clock care. Communication is essential to make sure that the needs of the Alzheimer’s patient are met, and that the caregiver has the support to meet those needs.

Where will the person live? Is his or her home appropriate, or is it difficult to access or make safe for later? If the person is currently living alone, for example, or far from any family or other support, it may be necessary to relocate or consider an assisted living community with support and custom care plans based on the level of memory care needed.

For information on memory care in North Carolina and Virginia contact Spring Arbor.

Help Guide

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Assisted living communities provide a type of housing for people who need various levels of medical and personal care. The goal of Spring Arbor Living is to provide a home-like setting and is designed to promote the patients’ independence. Services are offered to assist residents with daily living.

What Services Do Assisted Living Communities Provide?
Generally the services provided by assisted living communities vary from facility to facility. Services in various facilities often include:

• One to three meals a day
• Monitoring of medication
• Personal care, including dressing and bathing
• Housekeeping and laundry
• 24-hour emergency care
• Varying medical services
• Social and recreational activities

How Can I Know What Services my Loved One Needs?
Talk with your family, caregivers and patient about what services are needed from an Alzheimer’s Care Facility. Take time to consider what services are important before you visit the assisted living communities. This will help ease the transition. Think about these questions:

• How soon do you want/need to change the patients’ residence?
• What daily activities do they need help with (bathing, dressing, toileting, eating)?
• How often do they need help?

For more information or to set up an appointment contact Spring Arbor Living in your area.

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It's normal for people to become more forgetful as they age. So how can we tell the difference between a senior moment and Alzheimer's disease? One in eight people 65 and older have this form of dementia. In its first stages, Alzheimer's may not be obvious to friends and family. But there are some early warning signs to watch for.

Warning Sign:  Memory and Speech
In early Alzheimer's, long-term memories usually remain intact and short-term memories become sketchy. Your loved one may forget conversations you had or questions that were already answered. Alzheimer’s disrupts speech, so patients may struggle to remember common words.

Warning Sign: Behavior
In addition to memory loss, Alzheimer's can cause confusion and behavior changes. They may get lost in familiar places. Poor hygiene, mood swings and poor judgment are also common. Those who once cared for their appearance may begin to dress in stained clothes and have unwashed hair.

Don't Ignore the Signs
While it's difficult to face the possibility that a loved one could have Alzheimer's, visiting a doctor sooner rather than later is better. The diagnosis might not be Alzheimer's after all relieving you of unnecessary stress. And if it is Alzheimer's, treatments work best when they are used early in the course of the disease.

Alzheimer's Progression: What to Expect
Alzheimer's shows differently in every patient. In some the symptoms worsen quickly, leading to severe memory loss and confusion within a few years. In others, the changes may be more gradual with the disease taking 20 years to run its course. The average length of survival after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's is three to nine years.

How Alzheimer's Affects Daily Life
Because Alzheimer's affects concentration, patients may lose the ability to manage ordinary tasks. A study suggests difficulty balancing a checkbook is often one of the first effects of Alzheimer's. As the symptoms worsen, your loved one may not recognize familiar people or places. They may get lost easily, or use utensils improperly. Incontinence, balance problems, and loss of language are common in the advanced stages.

Alzheimer's and Exercise
Exercise can help Alzheimer's patients maintain some muscle strength and coordination. It also improves mood and may reduce anxiety. Check with your loved one's doctor to learn which types of exercise are appropriate. Repetitive activities, such as walking, weeding, or even folding laundry may be the most effective at promoting a sense of calm.

Assisted Living Facilities
There may come a day when your loved one can no longer be cared for at home. An assisted-living facility may be an appropriate choice, or a facility with levels of Alzheimer's care, so the services the facility provides can progress with the patient. Assisted Living Communities provide housing, meals, and activities. Look for a facility with an Alzheimer's special care unit, which delivers 24-hour supervision and personal care to meet the needs of people with dementia.

Original article WebMD

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As our population ages, people with chronic cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation (or irregular heartbeat), are living longer. In a study reported in the journal Heart Rhythm (Volume 7, page 433) researchers reported that atrial fibrillation may be associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Over 37,000 people, average age 60, from the ongoing Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study database were evaluated for signs of atrial fibrillation and for Alzheimer's disease or vascular, senile or nonspecific dementia. During an average of five years' follow-up, 4 percent developed dementia and 27 percent developed atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation was associated with each of the four types of dementia, independent of other cardiovascular diseases. The youngest group with atrial fibrillation (under age 70) had the highest risk of dementia; dementia is linked to older age, so this finding suggests the relationship between atrial fibrillation and dementia is particularly strong. Atrial fibrillation was also linked with the highest risk of death.

Take away: Because subjects with atrial fibrillation were identified as having higher risks of dementia and death, people with cardiovascular diseases -- who are urged to consider measures like diet, exercise, medication and avoiding tobacco for their heart disease -- might want to take these steps also to prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer's.

All the facts you need to make informed decisions if you have to confront Alzheimer's disease -- the most common cause of dementia

Written by Dr. Peter V. Rabins, director of the Division of Geriatric and Neuropsychiatry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Medical Editor of the Johns Hopkins Memory Bulletin, Diagnosing and Treating Alzheimer's Disease is an indispensable resource for anyone concerned about Alzheimer's disease. This new report provides all the facts you need to make informed decisions if you have to confront Alzheimer's disease. You'll learn how Alzheimer's is currently diagnosed ... the existing drugs that are used to treat it ... and various new therapies that may someday provide better treatment.

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Taking care of a relative suffering from Alzheimer’s can be trying, stressful and emotional as the disease progresses.

Yet many families want to keep their relative close, and provide the best care they can from home. It’s important to remember, however, that you can’t care for someone else if you get too run down yourself.

Here are some tips for caregivers that can help you stay healthy and be better able to provide the patience and understanding necessary to the care of their loved one.

1. Share the responsibility. Being the sole person responsible for your loved one’s care can be too much. When you’re run down, stressed out or frustrated you won’t be a good caregiver, and you won’t be doing yourself any favors. Going on too long without a break can lead to emotional and physical health deterioration in your health. Get other family members to help so you have time to yourself as well.

2. Take time for yourself. Make time for the activities that you love at least once a week. Lowering your stress levels will reduce your risk of illnesses and make you feel mentally better. You also want to make sure that you’re nurturing your relationship with your children and family. Caring for a loved one takes a lot of time, but spend time with others as well.

3. Don’t blame yourself. When caring for someone with a disease like Alzheimer’s, accidents will inevitably happen now and again no matter how careful you are. Don’t put all the blame on yourself and further stress yourself out. If you’re doing the best you can, understand that you cannot plan for or prevent every possibility. Learning to relax a little and step back will give you some perspective and lower your stress levels.

4. Join a support group. Don’t go through the stress of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s alone. Caretakers can find support groups. There are numerous websites and blogs dedicated to providing advice, support and laughs to lighten the mood. Finding emotional support is key to keeping yourself mentally healthy and able to care for your loved one.

While being a caregiver can sometimes feel like an all-consuming task, it’s important to pull out a few moments each day to think about yourself and your health. If you are happy, healthy you will be able to provide care and take care of your life as well.

Understand that there are Alzheimer’s care facilities that can meet your needs where your loved one can be happy. Contact Spring Arbor Living in your area for information when the time comes where you feel you or your loved one may be better off with professional care.
 
Original article – Alzheimer’s Reading Room

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Transitioning from home to a residential care community can be challenging for both caregivers and for Alzheimer’s patients.

Here's how to make the move easier:

Due diligence. Caregivers need to have much comfort in their choice of assisted living communities. Unfortunately, the quality of these settings varies greatly. Your decision should be based on three important factors: Is there a dementia care unit staffed by professionals with specific dementia training? Does the facility have locations close enough to your home and/or work to allow for visitation at a level that is best for your family? Does the facility meet the specific medical, social, therapeutic and emotional needs of your loved one?

Understand the emotions. An individual with dementia may not be able to fully appreciate what is happening or the long-term implications of relocating to a care facility. They may react to your emotional state during the move. Also, the new surroundings can be overwhelming and confusing, but this will subside in a few days or a week. Give them time to acclimate and to get used to the staff.

Provide input. Share your knowledge of the patient with the staff, including the unit nurse, social worker and nutritionist prior to admission. Employees need time to learn about the medical condition, temperament, behavior patterns, likes and dislikes, of your loved one.

Talk about it. The level of disclosure to your loved one about the upcoming move is a decision you need to make based on your knowledge of their ability to understand. Be patient and understanding and allow them a chance to voice their concerns. Offer reassurance of your plans for regular visitation.

Prepare the room. Plan to have the room set up before they move in. Bring familiar objects, but nothing of value that could be misplaced or damaged. Label clothing and personal items.

Be by their side. Accompany your loved one to the Alzheimer's care facility for the actual move, and repeatedly explain that they will be okay and that you are there to help. You may want to stay for the day and have dinner together. When it is time to go, explain that you have to leave for a while, but will return as soon as you can. Assure them that they will be fine.

Check in regularly. Monitor the care of your loved one on a regular basis, and advocate on his behalf with the staff and administration.

Think about yourself. Tap your network of family and friends for emotional comfort. And seek support from others who have been through this situation. Spring Arbor Living hosts many events where you can find support.

Original article – Alzheimer’s Foundation

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Alzhiemer’s caregivers will almost always  be faced with the realization that they can no longer care for their loved one  in their home. The challenge is knowing when and how to make that transition to an assisted living community, and how to prepare for it.

Circumstances change almost daily for the Alzheimer's patient, their families and their caregivers. Planning ahead is very difficult.

There is no way to predict the progression of this disease. Each individual is different, different symptoms, different behaviors, and different time lapses between each.

Not all Alzheimer’s patients become violent, but some do. And taking care of a violent patient is not a matter of endurance and stamina. It’s safety. A loved one needs to be moved to an assisted living facility if they are violent. For the security of all, patient and caregiver alike, an Alzheimer’s patient who becomes violent must be moved to a more secure assisted living community, a setting that is safe and comfortable.

The patient has no idea what they’re doing. They would be devastated if they understood the danger they had become to family and caregivers. An Alzheimer's care facility should be considered under these circumstances.

Later in the stages of Alzheimer’s they may need more medical treatment than the caregiver is able to provide.

Many Alzheimer’s patients need protection. An assisted living community can keep patients safe in a well protected area and beautiful environment that provides activities for Alzheimer's patients that keep them healthy and happy longer.  

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