The Progression of Alzheimer's Disease and the Progression of Daily Home Care Needs

Most have heard the 'frog in a pot of water' theory. If a frog is put in a pot of hot water, it will jump out. If it is put in room temperature water and then the pot is heated, it adjusts until it is too late. This same idea can apply to adult children adjusting their daily care of elderly parents with Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive and physical decline associated with the disease may improve for a time with currently available treatments and medications, but the progression curve follows a rate of decline. The next step in daily care of elderly parents is sometimes delayed because adult children providing the care are taking on extra tasks a little at a time, not noticing the risks of trying to do it all.

Typical adult children caregiver scenarios often begin with medical setbacks such as slips or falls. They begin to take over a few tasks to help. Often, only one parent is affected by Alzheimer's or another condition that leads to cognitive and physical impairments that worsen over time. The unaffected spouse may suddenly be overwhelmed with new care tasks that puts their own health and safety at risk. Care often begins in stages with tasks, such as making sure the home is kept clean, helping with budgeting and making sure bills are paid on time. Newly prescribed medications may also require daily reminders.

At some point driving skills of those with Alzheimer's degrades to the point where they are no longer safe drivers. This stage often results in significant conflict due to the desire to maintain the freedom that driving brings and the adult children knowing that safety of parents with Alzheimer's and others on the road takes precedence. Transportation tasks are then taken over by children who are providing elderly parent care. This may also be the time adult children of parents with Alzheimer's realize their elderly parents may need more care than they can adequately provide, and the parents then fear commitment to a nursing facility.

The progression of Alzheimer's at some point in the future may require nursing care. However, that could be quite a long time from when daily home care is a necessity. The disease advances in stages and so should the amount of care given to parents who have Alzheimer's. Daily home care from Visiting Angels in Las Vegas is the next logical step when caring for elderly parents becomes too much for the adult children, but a point where assisted living or nursing home care is needed has not been reached yet.

Visiting Angels can take over many of the daily tasks that need completed and also provide social interaction and assistance with memory loss care, assistance with walking or completion of exercise routines, meal preparation, light housekeeping, running errands, transportation to appointments and even overnight care where the caregiver stays awake to offer help as needed. Probably the greatest service is one of companionship where the elderly parent knows that someone is there for conversation and is also ready to help. Daily home care services provided by Visiting Angels in Las Vegas eases the burden and removes the stress of elderly parent care.

Caring for a Loved One with Mobility Issues

When your loved one’s mobility decreases, he or she may suddenly need help doing a lot of the things that are necessary for daily living. The thought of lifting and assisting your loved one may be daunting, but it will become easier with time. Here are some tips for caring for a loved one with reduced mobility.

Respecting Your Loved One’s Independence
A decrease in mobility is a major loss for most people. Your loved one wants and needs to have as much control over his or her life as possible. Before you attempt to assist your loved one, be careful to explain what has to be done and why.

Staying Safe During Transfers
Transfers can be dangerous. You can make the process much safer by planning ahead, waiting for help if your loved one is too heavy, and following safety guidelines. These include keeping your legs slightly apart and your back straight while holding your loved one near to own body during the move, turning your whole body rather than just you waist, and wearing skid-proof shoes. To initiate the transfer, face your loved one while gently gripping beneath each arm. If you must carry your loved one, put one arm around him or her and under an armpit, then put the other under the knees.

Using a Wheelchair
A wheelchair can allow your loved one to continue many activities he or she loves, such as visiting, shopping, enjoying the outdoors, and attending religious services. However, getting into and out of the wheelchair must be done safely.

Before transferring your loved one to a wheelchair, adjust the height so that the rider’s thighs are at a 90 degree angle to his or her torso. Place a pad in the seat for comfort. Before you assist your loved one into the chair, lock the brakes and adjust the footrests to the side. Then use the general safety guidelines for transfers to help your loved one into the chair. Once your loved one is in the chair, move his or her feet apart to about shoulder width.

Always turn the chair backwards before going up stairs or over curbs or bumps. Whenever possible, make sure your loved one can see where you are going. Casually mention that you are approaching bumps, turns, stairs, ramps, or lifts. When it is time to get back into bed, use the safety guidelines for transfers again, this time gently lifting your loved one from the wheelchair.

Reach out for Help
Even the most dedicated caregiver needs help now and then. Enlist other family members to help care for your loved ones when needed, or ask for a helping hand from a professional such as Visiting Angels in Las Vegas.