216 Higgins Road Park Ridge, IL, 60068 (847) 221-0154

My father thinks people and events on TV are real and he often wants to interact with them? What should I do?

By on

March 29, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

There have been people with Alzheimer’s who have refused to do something until getting an answer from a TV character; others have thought music shows are actual concerts. This has worried family members, who have wondered whether they should cut off TV watching altogether for their loved one. But you have to think it over: Is this causing any harm? This is not an uncommon behavior for someone with Alzheimer’s. You have to weigh what the TV situations might be doing to your loved one. Does watching TV become distressing, or are the characters and stories seen as friendly? Often, it’s the latter, and you can never have too many friends! If TV scenarios and people become threatening to your father, then you must limit how much TV he watches. If there is a TV in his room, you can remove it. Odds are, it isn’t doing much good for him if stress is involved. If or when he sees other residents watching TV, his attention can be redirected toward other activities. If he’s not living at home, talk with the staff at his care facility and let them know of your concerns. Tell them you would like to have his TV time limited. They can help redirect him toward bingo or other activities instead. If there winds up being no TV in his room, ask staff members to take him to one of the facility’s common areas to watch a favorite show(s) there. If there is a VCR or DVD player, you can bring programming that you have purchased or rented so he can view it.    
0

What kind of support is there for a person with Alzheimer’s?

By on

March 22, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

Head to www.alzhope.com. That’s where people with Alzheimer’s can become part of a loving community, can post questions to others caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s and more. Another good place is the Alzheimer’s Association’s website (www.alz.org). It has a list of programs offered, including for supporting individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Link from this nationally focused website to the appropriate local association. That will get the person resources closer to home. Perhaps the most common support is an early-stage support group. These are sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and are spreading around the country. These are primarily for the support of individuals who have just learned of their Alzheimer’s diagnosis. An experienced facilitator guides the group in discussions about issues such as the meaning of the diagnosis, family dynamics and emotional issues, and financial and legal concerns. This is a place to express one’s deepest feelings in a safe place — with people who will identify and understand. These groups laugh, cry, eat and problem-solve together. The groups meet once a month on average, typically for about an hour and a half. Someone from the Alzheimer’s Association will be able to judge individuals to determine whether the meetings would be a benefit to them. Meanwhile, family members have simultaneous meetings in their own special area (often in the same building). Professional counselors, members of the clergy and home health agencies also are options for individuals’ support. You also can get in touch with the Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center (ADEAR) at (800) 438-4380 or www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimer’s, or the National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer’s Disease Information at www.nia.nih.gov or (800) 222-2225.
0

My spouse has Alzheimer’s and isn’t sleeping at night. What should I do?

By on

March 14, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

Sleeplessness or insomnia can be a common Alzheimer’s issue, though not everyone experiences it. If your loved one does, here are some helpful tips: 
  • Keep your physician informed so he or she can intervene, if needed (this might be a condition you monitor for a while)
  • Ask the doctor about medications that might be interfering with sleep
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake
  • Discourage naps during the day
  • Plan relaxing, soothing activities for close to bedtime (play calming music, for example). This could involve having a light snack.
  • Make sure your loved one goes to the bathroom before bedtime
  • Keep to a routine at bedtime, yet, as always, you have to remain flexible
  • Use a favorite pillow or blanket to help relaxation efforts
  • Do bathing or any other activity that could be upsetting earlier in the day: Steer clear of anything that could create tension or be upsetting near bedtime
  • Don’t make bedtime too early
  • Keep the person as active as possible during the day. Walking, working in the yard, dancing or any other activity he or she likes to do can be helpful.
  • Ensure comfortable clothing and temperature are in play at bedtime. If putting on sleepwear agitates your spouse, let it go and let her or him sleep in regular clothes.
  • If your loved one falls asleep on the couch, let her or him stay and sleep there.
  • Use night lights liberally in the bedroom, hallways and bathrooms.
Dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a daunting task. There’s no need to tackle it alone, however. An excellent resource is “The Indispensable Alzheimer’s Resource Kit.” It can be downloaded at no cost by clicking here.    
0

How should I respond if my good friend with Alzheimer’s falls?

By on

March 13, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

As with any “rescue” mission, you must make sure you are secure first. Can you help safely on your own? Are you strong enough? Is the injured person cooperative? The reason for these cautions is if you become injured, then perhaps neither of you would get the help you need. You should background yourself in techniques that you can use to help should a fall occur — whether it’s with a friend or relative, or someone who has Alzheimer’s or simply a frail, elderly individual who might need assistance. For example, gait belts are common tools to assist ambulation. These strong canvas straps are designed specifically for helping in these situations, among others. If your friend or loved one starts to go down when you are nearby, you can simply grab the belt to slow the tumble and lower the person to the floor. This softens the fall, but remember: You have to be careful not to injure yourself as well. Gait belts are commonly available for purchase through durable medical equipment companies, home care agencies and others. Once the person is down, if you can’t get her or him up and nobody else is around to assist you, CALL 911. There should be no embarrassment or concern about this. Most emergency responders are well trained in how to deal with people who have fallen, Alzheimer’s patients, people who wander or are choking, etc. They are more than willing to come into a home to assist you.  They also can do an assessment of any possible injuries, and transport your friend or loved one to the hospital for proper review and treatment. The transportation piece for a disoriented or uncooperative patient can be especially helpful, rather than trying to do it alone. There are many accounts of caregivers calling 911 for help and getting it wonderfully. These families report being treated with full respect, concern and care, so call if you need help!   Wander and falls management companies offer an array of alerting devices that can help a person call for help. These items can be worn like faux watches or necklaces so they blend right in. The wearer pushes a button and someone out of the area is summoned for help. The systems are plentiful and can be researched on the Internet.  Dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a daunting task. There’s no need to tackle it alone, however. An excellent resource is “The Indispensable Alzheimer’s Resource Kit.” It can be downloaded at no cost by clicking here.
0

What can I do to make my house safe for an Alzheimer’s patient?

By on

March 8, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

A person with Alzheimer’s is likely to walk, pace or wander. As a caregiver, you must allow this type of behavior. But you have to create a safe environment for it. People with Alzheimer’s have perception problems. Carpeting or other flooring with black patches can give the appearance of black holes that have to be stepped over. Shiny floors might appear to be wet, also causing altered behavior or motions. Good lighting that reduces glare will ease anxiety. Get the clutter out of the house! It is very important that things such as plants on the floor, footstools, baskets, and any papers or magazines not be left lying around. Remove these and any other things that could be construed as obstacles. There are many vendors that have products that can increase home security appropriately. In fact, there are so many products, a prudent review of their capabilities, costs and pros/cons is in order. Some have bells or alarms, while others can quietly page or notify someone off-site. There are special locks and door aides that also can help keep individuals with dementia safe. Monitoring equipment is plentiful. A common baby monitor works especially well for monitoring at night. If your loved one is prone to falling out of bed, lower the bed (even putting the mattress on the floor) and/or put an extra mattress(es) next to the bed to cushion any tumble. There are also monitors available that can tell you whenever your loved one gets out of bed, or rises from a chair. A good place to find out more about home safety devices is http://www.alzstore.com. Places that sell baby-safety equipment are also good, as are outlets such as Radio Shack. There are plenty of manufacturers and sponsors out there — be sure to compare prices and quality whenever possible. For further information, please access our FREE  “Indispensable Alzheimer’s Resource Kit” by clicking here.  
0

Should I watch for symptoms of depression if my loved one has dementia?

By on

March 7, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

You’ll typically notice depression in someone before the person with it does. Some signs to watch for include: desire to sleep a lot, a change in eating habits (weight up or down), loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and being in an overall “down” mood.   Attend to comments such as “I don’t want anything,” “I’m no good anymore” and “I wish I were dead” and take them seriously. Any time you detect symptoms of depression it is important to have the person visit a physician. Even if a doctor has already diagnosed dementia, your loved one still needs to be checked for depression. The two go together quite a bit. It might take antidepressants just a few weeks to ease the symptoms. Other things that can make a big difference include better nutrition, better sleep (not too much or too little) and plenty of exercise. For further information, please access our FREE  “Indispensable Alzheimer’s Resource Kit” by clicking here.  
0

Does pain — such as from a UTI — worsen the effects of Alzheimer’s?

By on

March 6, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

Pain can worsen confusion, agitation and/or depression in someone with Alzheimer’s. But pain itself does not cause a decline in Alzheimer’s symptoms.  Pain can be a terrible puzzle when dealing with someone with Alzheimer’s. Because many times the person with Alzheimer’s can’t communicate adequately, he or she will resort to wandering, sleeping, grimacing or being agitated — or shutting down altogether. Take a cue and watch closely because if your loved one has a sudden change in behavior (such as confusion, for example), it’s possible he or she is experiencing pain or discomfort. This could be anything from an infection to simply having shoes that are too tight. When caregivers work with cancer patients, their goal is to keep the person as comfortable as possible by eliminating or soothing the pain. It should be the same with individuals with Alzheimer’s, no matter what the stage or age. They should be comfortable and pain-free. A urinary tract infection (UTI) definitely can cause pain. Its symptoms include burning, itching and inflammation. Treatment is neither complicated nor invasive and will increase quality of life. For other chronic pain-producing conditions, such as arthritis, a person with Alzheimer’s should continue treatment according to doctor’s orders. For things like sore throat, backache, headache and foot pain, seek a doctor’s advice as necessary — do not let the condition linger too long or get out of hand. Depression is not uncommon for individuals with pain. If a loved one who has Alzheimer’s is suddenly a lot less enthusiastic about previous interests, it could be a sign he or she is experiencing pain. Be aware, however, that people also can act this way when there is no pain present. For further information, please access our FREE  “Indispensable Alzheimer’s Resource Kit” by clicking here.      
0

How aggressive should we be with treatment for recurring colon cancer if my father also has Alzheimer’s?

By on

March 1, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

A family meeting with the oncologist to learn about the cancer would help all of you get on the same page. This is a very difficult situation. The oncologist can answer your specific questions about the nature of the cancer, treatment options, prognosis, etc. You most likely won’t want to be too invasive or aggressive with the cancer treatment. Confusion will increase with any type of operation or aggressive treatment. Be sure you know the risks involved if surgery is deemed necessary. As part of this scenario, your physician can order hospice care. Hospice services not only help the loved one but also the family as a whole. Hospice specialists will take the Alzheimer’s into consideration, too. Hospice is a wonderful form of care that provides education, support and care. The goal of hospice is to make it possible for your loved one to stay in his or her own home, out of the hospital, and also to make it as comfortable and pain-free as possible. The overall goal is to create the best quality of life possible. One of the best things about hospice is the fact that it helps not only the patient but family members as well. For further information, please access our FREE  “Indispensable Alzheimer’s Resource Kit” by clicking here.
0

Does medication cause the confusion and unsteadiness found with Alzheimer’s or are they just part of the disease’s progression?

By on

February 23, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog, Elder Law Articles

The short answer is both the disease’s progression and medication can be responsible for confusion and/or unsteadiness in Alzheimer’s patients. Since Alzheimer’s is a neurological disorder, it causes confusion; it also can affect a person’s ability to move around, or ambulate. Alzheimer’s effects on the brain can cause a person to have difficulty with perception, which in turn can affect how a person walks. Black strips in carpeting may appear to be an opening in the floor or something else that needs to be stepped over. A shiny floor might give the impression it’s wet. Perceptions like these understandably can cause unsteadiness. Unfortunately, medicines’ side effects also can cause unsteadiness or confusion. That’s why family members and close friends are so important. As firsthand observers of a person’s behavior, they can notice changes easier than others. It is particularly important to watch for side effects right after a new medication or dosage has been introduced. Any sudden change in behavior most likely will be due to medication because Alzheimer’s typically does not progress quickly enough to create such changes. Ask your pharmacist or visit the website of a specific medication (e.g. www.namenda.com) to learn about possible side effects. These websites have a lot of useful information. Keep in mind that there also could be physical difficulties that arise that have nothing to do with the Alzheimer’s or any medication. Difficulty walking or any sudden confusion could be caused by an infection or another source of pain. Careful observation followed by some “detective” work will help discern what’s going on. It’s not uncommon for this to become second nature. You might not even realize you’re taking these steps after a while. Always remember, though, that if you have investigated and tried various options and nothing seems to work, symptoms such as confusion or unsteadiness could just be part of the disease’s natural, unrelenting progress. To help cope with caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, you might want to obtain a copy of this free resource, The Indispensable Alzheimer’s Resource Kit.    
0

If I’m suspicious, should I have my loved one evaluated for Alzheimer’s risk? By whom?

By on

February 8, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog

The quick answer: yes. A doctor must be consulted for a full evaluation as soon as you notice the first symptoms of dementia —more than just mild forgetfulness or confusion. This type of professional check-up will help determine why the symptoms are present. Are they due to depression? Poor nutrition? Drug use or alcohol abuse? Organ dysfunction?  If your loved one has never been evaluated for dementia before, your best bet is to consult a neurologist or geriatrician. For those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a geriatric psychiatrist should be contacted for signs of anxiety, depression, agitation or any other behavioral issues. You must be comfortable with any physician you use, especially since you’ll likely get into very personal lines of questioning. Remember: Everyone is different, so a doctor who might be appropriate for a friend might not work for you. That is OK and you should keep looking if you’re not satisfied. Doctor referral services can provide a list of appropriate physicians. It is often comforting to know you are using a doctor whom others have used and liked. Caregivers also might receive information and referrals at support group meetings so look into those, too. The reason it’s so important to get an early diagnosis of dementia is it can make treatment easier and more effective for all involved. Most importantly, it can lead to appropriate medication that might help slow the progression of the disease. An initial, thorough check-up should include a physical examination, medical history, neurological tests, laboratory tests, brain imaging and function tests. An individual diagnosed with dementia will see a geriatrician, neurologist or psychiatrist for any issues directly related to the dementia. But a patient should inform his or her primary care physician of the diagnosis, and continue with the doctor for general check-ups. Experts agree the best proactive strategy to achieve successful caregiving at home is to have a healthy caregiver. Alzheimer’s truly is a family illness. A doctor needs to be aware of the caregiver’s stress level and be willing to offer support, suggestions and encouragement. The best doctors in this field will be concerned about the health and well-being of the caregiver.  
0