Caring For A Loved One With Memory Loss

Even though many people do not mind helping their loved one, being a caregiver can be incredibly stressful. If the person is suffering from memory loss, then caring for him or her is even more difficult. Fortunately, there are many things that caregivers can do that will make it easier for them to care for their loved ones. Below is a list of tips that will help:

Get a Medical Diagnosis

Anybody who is suffering from memory loss should be examined by a physician. In many cases, memory loss is a side effect of a medication. It can also be a sign of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Keep in mind that there are many new medications that can treat Alzheimer's disease and dementia in their early stages. That is why it is essential for people who are suffering memory loss to see a physician.

Create a Care Plan

After your loved one has been examined and received a diagnosis, the next thing that you will want to do is outline a care plan. Take a person's short and long-term needs into consideration when you are creating a care plan. You may also want to ask a medical professional to help you create a care plan. Keep in mind that the care plan is likely to change.

Educate Yourself

It will be a lot easier for you to care for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or Dementia if you educate yourself about the condition. Talk to healthcare providers about the condition. Read brochures and books. You can also talk to other people who are caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or Dementia.

Safety-Proof the Home

There are a number of things that you can do to safety proof your home. You need to make sure that medications, household cleaners, knives, sharp objects and sewing needles are kept out of reach of your loved one. You will also need to adjust the temperature on your water heater. Lowering the temperature can prevent a person's chances of suffering a scalding burn.

Additionally, you may want to consider having grab bars installed in the bathtub. This will make it easier for your loved one to get in and out of the bathtub.

Take Some Time to Yourself

It is easy for caregivers to get overwhelmed. That is why they are more prone to high blood pressure and depression. You have to take time for yourself. Try to exercise every day. Include plenty of nutritious foods in your diet. Make sure that you get an adequate amount of sleep. Taking care of yourself will help prevent burnout.

You may also want to consider getting a professional caregiver to help your loved one. You can contact Visiting Angels of Las Vegas if you are interested in getting a professional caregiver to help you take care of your loved one.

Is It Alzheimer's Disease Or "Just Getting Old"?

If you are getting up there in years, your memory may not seem quite as sharp as it used to be. Then again, your memory may be starting to slip in some rather unusual ways. For many aging adults, the fear of being victims of Alzheimer disease is a very real concern. But, do not panic if you cannot remember important dates or if you forget which grandson's birthday it is. Some of these annoying slips and skips in memory are nothing more than perfectly normal signs of aging. Sometimes it is a sign that you just need to challenge your brain to be more active. If you believe you are experiencing serious problems with your memory, here are a few ways to tell if Alzheimer's disease may be to blame.

Chronically Repeating Requests for the Same Information

One of the signs of Alzheimer's disease is seen when a person constantly asks others to repeat the same information over and over again. If this happens once in a while, it may simply be a sign that they are a little forgetful; however, when it is a chronic occurrence, it suggests that something more serious may be going on upstairs. People who suffer with a chronic state of looping requests for the same information may not even know they are doing it. From their perspective, each time they ask will undoubtedly seem like it is the first time they are asking.

Misplacing Objects

It is normal for an aging person to visit a friend and walk out the door without their keys. They may even forget where they put their keys or parked their car. In the case of a person suffering with Alzheimer's disease, this problem is a lot more advanced. Instead of simply forgetting where a person has placed an object, the misplacing of objects get stranger and more frequent. They might leave their socks in the kitchen sink and hang their tie on the deadbolt slot near the front door of their home. To the average onlooker, these types of associations involved in the misplacement of objects will tend to be obviously uncommon or out of place.




Misunderstanding the Function of Objects
Another common sign of Alzheimer's disease is when people appear to misunderstand how to use a common every day object. If a person tries to shave their face with a phone receiver, or attempts to answer their electric shaver, then you may have a classic Alzheimer's patient on your hands. On the other hand, if a person simply needs help figuring out how to program their digital clock, use the remote to their television or set their microwave to the right setting, this is more likely an age-related slip in memory function.

The Loss of Time and Spacial Confusion

When a person gets older, it is common to forget what day it is. It is also common to take a wrong turn and get lost while driving. Often, with a little thought and effort, these mistakes will be easily corrected by a person with a properly functioning mind. On the other hand, if a person starts to notice large gaps in time are missing, this could tend to be a more classic sign of Alzheimer's disease. Another classic sign is when an elderly person all-of-a-sudden becomes very confused as to where they are or how they got there. Such skips in spacial memory suggest that the memory pathway outlining the steps being covered from one moment to the next are not being held in short term memory. If this occurs often, then chances are that Alzheimer's may be to blame.

Conclusion
Growing old will inevitably bring with it a senior moment or two. It is normal to experience some trouble getting the aging neurons in one's brain to fire off like they used to do. Although it can be frustrating to learn that your mind is not like the steel trap it used to be, this does not necessarily imply that you are in danger of Alzheimer's disease; however, if you start to experience genuinely strange lapses in memory, it may be time to be checked out by a physician.

Early Warning Signs: When to Call the Doctor About Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, progressive, and irreversible brain disorder that attacks both memory and judgment. Not only does this disease cripple one’s ability to carry out common, everyday tasks, but it is also incredibly dangerous if left untreated. Although there is no known cure, there are options for slowing the effects and improving the quality of life if recognized early enough. Below is a list of the most common warning signs and how to proceed.


Memory loss that interferes with daily life

This is probably the most common sign of the Alzheimer’s disease. Everyone forgets things from time to time, but if you notice it happening on a consistent basis it may be a major warning sign. Things to look for in particular are: difficulty with remembering important dates and special events, forgetting to pay bills, getting lost easily, or constantly needing to be reminded of the same thing over and over.

Changes in personality

Quite often, people with Alzheimer’s will undergo severe changes in mood and personality. They may become easily disturbed at home or at work for no good reason. You may even notice them become suspicious, fearful, worried, or even violent towards friends and loved ones.

Disorientation and constant confusion

A normal person might occasionally forget what day of the week it is, but people with Alzheimer’s deeply struggle to grasp the passage of time. Calendar dates and understanding the changing of seasons might easily confuse them. They may also struggle to accomplish simple, everyday tasks such as getting dressed, tying their shoes, or cooking meals. Disorientation is also very typical. People with Alzheimer’s can easily get lost in their own neighborhood or struggle to figure out where they are and how they got there.

Lack of hygiene and social withdrawal

Often times the most common symptoms are the most obvious ones. Because they are confused by everyday tasks, people with Alzheimer’s may stop bathing, combing their hair, brushing their teeth, or even dressing appropriately. They may fail to recognize close friends and family and therefore give up on social activities or their favorite hobbies.

Misplacing things

It is common for people with Alzheimer’s to put things in strange places. They might place their shoes in the oven and even accuse you of stealing from them. Normal people often misplace things now and again, but the major difference is that Alzheimer’s sufferers lack the ability to logically retrace their steps and locate things.

Seek help early

Attempting to diagnose a loved one or someone in your care with Alzheimer’s disease can be an incredibly difficult and emotional task. Knowing the warning signs and seeking professional help early is crucial in dealing with this disease. For more information call the Visiting Angels staff today at 800-365-4189.

Las Vegas Residents to Raise Alzheimer’s Funds and Awareness Through The Longest Day®

Teams Forming in Honor of those Living with Alzheimer’s and their Caregivers

People across the globe will join together to honor those facing Alzheimer's disease by participating in The Longest Day® on Saturday, June 21, 2014. The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset event to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Teams will complete a day filled with activity to raise funds and awareness for the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Held annually on the summer solstice, The Longest Day teams pledge to be active for 16 hours,
symbolizing the seemingly endless journey so many facing Alzheimer’s disease are asked to endure.
Participants choose any activity ranging from running or cooking, to knitting or playing bridge, being active
all day, trading off in a relay style, or with each member doing just an hour to achieve the 16 hour goal.

 “’The Longest Day’ is an opportunity to show those facing Alzheimer's disease that they are not alone,”
shared Dan Lawler, Desert Southwest Chapter’s Development Director. “It is wonderful to see the range
of activities, commitment and dedication of individuals in our communities. We have teams hiking the
Grand Canyon, biking from Tucson to Payson and playing bridge all day. The creativity and diversity of
these participants, all to support individuals facing Alzheimer’s, is truly heartening.”

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. More than five
million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including over 145,000 across our Chapter, and this number
is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association®
2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.

To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit www.alz.org/tld or www.facebook.com/fightalz.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest
Chapter at www.alz.org/dsw.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter

The Alzheimer’s Association® is the only national health and social service organization dedicated to
research, and to providing support and assistance to people with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and
caregivers. Founded in 1980, the association works through a network of more than 80 chapters across
the country.

The Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter provides programs and services to tens of
thousands of families including Helpline – a 24/7 assistance line, MedicAlert®+Safe Return®, Family Care
Consultation, Support Groups, Education, Early Stage Programming and Legislative Advocacy.

Visiting Angels in Henderson, NV will be sponsoring and participating in this years event.  You can contact them for more information at 702-407-1100.

Southern Nevada Wine to Remember

Please join Visiting Angels, one of this year's sponsors, for the Alzheimer's Association Desert Southwest's Wine To Remember in Southern Nevada.

The event will again be at the Aston MonteLago Village resort, a Mediterranean-styled resort on Lake Las Vegas.

The combination of fine wine, hors d'oeuvres and a beautiful setting promise to make this a relaxing evening and a wonderful chance to support the Desert Southwest Chapter.

Tickets are $50 each, or two for $80 and are available in advance or at the door. Cocktail attire is requested.

Tickets can now be purchased online here, or by calling 702-248-2770.

Event Details and Location:

June 14, 2014
Aston Montelago Village Resort
Lake Las Vegas
4:00 - 6:30 pm
30 Strada di Villaggio
Henderson, NV 89011

Sponsor Details:

Visiting Angels
9436 W Lake Mead Blvd, Ste 11F
Las Vegas, NV  89134
(702) 562-3322

http://www.visitingangels.com/vegas/home

Advances in Neurological Therapeutics

Continuing Medical Education Conference

Click To Download Brochure

The mission of Advances in Neurological Therapeutics 2013 is to update regional practitioners on the therapeutic effects of current and emerging therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias.

The importance of early diagnosis for these diseases will be stressed, and the risks and benefits of current and emerging therapies will be covered. We will also discuss the use of physical therapy and biomedical devices as a means to manage these diseases and improve patient function and quality of life.

Finally we will explore the psychiatric issues faced by individuals with neurological disease, as well as discuss the bioethical implications of PET imaging of the brain. We intend to provide an engaging forum, which will motivate practitioners to think holistically when treating patients with PD, MS, and AD.

This conference is intended for clinicians who treat patients with neurological disorders. We especially want to encourage neurologists, psychiatrists, family practice and primary care physicians, geriatricians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and other allied health care professionals to attend.

Full details available here - http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/live/courses/2013/ant13/