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Should I automatically be concerned about wandering when Alzheimer’s is diagnosed?

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January 11, 2012

- Alzheimer's Care, Blog

Wandering isn’t a universal symptom of Alzheimer’s but it definitely can be a concern. Unfortunately, you won’t know if your loved one is a wanderer until he or she wanders for the first time. Each person with dementia travels through this journey at his or her own pace. Upon diagnosis of the disease, immediately register your loved one in the “Safe Return” program with the Alzheimer’s Association. Contact the national organization (http://www.alz.org) or your local Alzheimer’s Association for information about the program and how to enroll. When you register, you will choose the form of jewelry you would like your loved one to wear. The jewelry (a bracelet, pendant or other item) has the Alzheimer’s Association logo on the front and the wearer’s identification number on the back. Most people choose the bracelet because it can be worn with, or like, a watch. Even individuals who did not wear jewelry in the past typically will agree to wear a bracelet. Many caregivers have overcome a loved one’s suspicions or reluctance about wearing this special jewelry by ordering a second piece for themselves. When the caregiver is seen wearing it, the patient often drops resistance. It pays to plan ahead for a variety of situations. Talking with other caregivers at support groups about strategies, devices and interventions that have worked for them is a sound advice. You also should browse electronics stores to what the market has to offer. (The Alzehimer’s Store [http://www.alzstore.com] is a good place to look.) There are also agencies you can hire. They will assess your home and the patient’s living environment and make recommendations about them. Waste no time when you suspect you might have a wanderer. At the first indication, put a baby monitor in the bedroom at night so you can hear if and when your loved one gets up. Also, install safety devices in your home. And by all means, inform your neighbors. Of course, also talk with your physician about treatment for this symptom. When your loved one does wander, call 911 immediately. Many police departments give their officers special education about Alzheimer’s. This can include training officers how best to deal with wandering and other troublesome situations. Another way to prepare is to read an excellent book by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins, “The 36-hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life.” It is both informative and enlightening about the various stages of the disease and what you might encounter.
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How long can an Alzheimer’s patient survive?

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January 4, 2012

- Blog

A general review of various expert sources tells us that a person with Alzheimer’s disease can survive from three to 20 years after the first symptoms begin. The average length is about eight years.  Realize that individuals with Alzheimer’s progress at a different rates. Furthermore, not every victim experiences every symptom or ever stage. In addition, some people will plateau at a stage for a long time, while others might speed right through it to the next level. Alzheimer’s itself does not cause death, but it can be a contributing factor. The disease typically progresses to the point where the body’s organs begin to shut down. This, in turn, can cause myriad other problems. For example, some patients become bedridden. This can lead to deadly bedsores or other infections, or an illness such as pneumonia, which a patient might not be able to fight off. An excellent resource for families and caregivers can be purchased online or in bookstores. It is “The 36-hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life,” by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins. For further information please see the following links Alzheimers: https://abferrarolaw.com/chicago-illinois-alzheimers-caregiving-planning.html Medicaid (Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing Home): https://abferrarolaw.com/paying-for-nursing-home-care-in-chicago-illinois.html
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What is Dementia and How is it Related to Alzheimer’s Disease?

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December 29, 2011

- Alzheimer's Care

It’s important to know the distinctions between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The rates of individuals diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s in the general population are both rising. But be clear that the terms are not synonymous. In brief, dementia is a syndrome or group of symptoms that causes loss of intellectual function and usually progresses over time. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia and the one we hear about the most. In other words, not all people who are diagnosed with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. To explore it a bit further, consider that according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, dementia is the “deterioration of intellectual faculties, such as memory, concentration and judgment, resulting form an organic disease or a disorder of the brain. It is sometimes accompanied by emotional disturbance and personality changes.” There are conditions besides Alzheimer’s, such as depression, that also will cause dementia symptoms. Careful diagnosis of any dementia is essential in determining proper treatment and intervention. Some types of dementia are reversible, including: Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia (stroke), Pick’s disease, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, frontotemporal dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (alcohol-related dementia) Possible causes of reversible dementia include: depression, drug use, alcohol and other poisons, nutritional deficiencies, brain disorders, certain diseases, a metabolic condition, organ dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, hydrocephalus, syphilis, encephalitis and meningitis. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible dementia condition. However, with appropriate interventions, even irreversible dementias can be managed. Family caregivers should seek reliable education and other assistance wherever possible. A good place to start is the doctor’s office, which typically has resources to get families started with this difficult process. For more information on the different types of dementia, visit any of these websites:
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