Dealing With the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

The symptoms of Alzheimer?s and dementia can be scary and overwhelming. You begin to forget things that you never thought possible to forget. You misplace items, sometimes never finding them again. You even forget the names of items that are so simple to remember. Alzheimer?s affects the brain?s ability to remember and to recall certain things. Alzheimer?s also progresses at different rates, for different people. When dealing with the symptoms of Alzheimer?s, it is important to keep the following things in mind.

Find a great medical team. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer?s, there are things that can be done to effectively manage the symptoms. There are also things that can be done to slow down the progression of the symptoms. It is important to have a medical team that is focused on your individual care and case. They are the person who will provide you and your caregivers with recommendations and suggestions for treatment.

Consider a home assistance or retirement community. Many seniors tend to put off a needed move to a senior community, when additional assistance is needed. The symptoms of Alzheimer?s can lead to a need for additional home assistance. Choosing an assistive living home that specialized in Alzheimers care actually provides many social, medical, and assistive benefits.

For seniors who wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes, home care is available. Annually, 8,357,100 people receive support from the 5 main long term care service, home health agencies (4,742,500), nursing homes (1,383,700), hospices (1,244,500), residential care communities (713,300), and adult day service centers (273,200).

Continue with daily exercises. The symptoms of Alzheimers cannot be entirely cured, but they can be slowed down. Alzheimer?s affects the brains synapses. When you continue to strengthen these synapse connections, the symptoms of Alzheimers slows down. You can keep your memory and thought patterns in effect, for longer. Examples of mind exercises include puzzles, reading, engaging in interactive conversations, bingo nights, poker and other card game nights, crafts, and crosswords.

It is also necessary to engage in regular exercise. There may be other health conditions present, so it is important to always consult with your medical provider before beginning any new workout routine. However, exercise gets the blood flowing and can actually help to improve how the brain is working. Many assistive living facilities provide daily elder care workouts, or workout rooms with full access.

Attempt to manage other health conditions. Dealing with the symptoms of Alzheimers on top of other medical conditions can be very overwhelming. More than three fourths of assisted living residents have had at least 2 of the 10 most common chronic conditions, high blood pressure and Alzheimer?s disease and other dementias were the most prevalent. Regular physician checkups and routine medications should be a part of the daily regimen of someone dealing with multiple medical concerns.

Keep daily tasks similar, if possible. The symptoms of Alzheimers leads to confusion about things that were once easy to recall. It can be helpful to have an environment and a daily routine that you are aware of. This can prevent you from getting confused, or from forgetting important things. Attempt to create a routine that you do on a daily basis. If you choose to move to an assisted living home, attempt to find a routine there, as well.

A part of this also includes preparing for assistive home care. More than 90% surveyed Americans over age 65 have not talked about critical long term care issues with their spouse or partner, aging parents, or adult children. Having this discussion before the symptoms become much worse is an important step in the care of Alzheimer?s patients.

Alzheimer?s is, unfortunately, a common disease that the elderly deal with. There is no cure at this time. However, with the right amount of planning, routine, and activities, the symptoms may be able to be slowed. It is important to evaluate each Alzheimer?s patient separately, as no two cases are the same. A person?s individual abilities to do everyday tasks are what will be important in deciding their living arrangements.