Healthy Mind
Tips for Caring for a Loved One with Dementia
November 2017
Staff
According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2017 Facts and Figures, “More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and by 2050, this number could rise as high as 16 million.” The diagnosis is devastating for those who have the disease and also imposes a crushing burden on their families. Choosing a plan for how to care for a loved one with dementia is dependent on many factors, particularly the stage of the illness and, of course, the family's ability to provide the necessary care.
"Sometimes becoming a caregiver occurs without a conscious decision," says Elizabeth Landsverk, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine, geriatric medicine and palliative care and founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"In the early stages of dementia, living at home or independently is desirable in maintaining the patient's sense of self when family members (usually a spouse and/or children) are able to provide the necessary care with minimal disruption to their lives,” Landsverk points out. “But the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is virtually always progressive, and family members have to come to terms with how their roles and relationships will change over time."
In the first stages of care giving, the primary requirement is for basic information:
The patient's primary care physician can provide a great deal of information and can steer the family toward community resources for help with things like transportation, home-delivered meals, and local daycare programs.
"When routines have been established for everyday care, attention must be focused on how to ensure the best possible quality of life for the patient, the family, and especially for the primary caregiver," says Dr. Landsverk. She shares the following tips:
"Providing care for someone with dementia takes a tremendous toll on the physical and emotional health of the primary caregiver," says Landsverk. "Caregivers must take care of themselves as well as caring for their loved one."
Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (Published by the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation):
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The disease begins slowly from a clinical point of view. In its early stages, it appears as short-term memory loss. However, as it progresses through the stages of dementia, cognitive impairment becomes increasingly noticeable and severe. There are four stages that characterize the presence and progress of Alzheimer's.
1. Pre-Dementia Phase
• No obvious symptoms
2. Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Mild forgetfulness that interferes with daily activities
• Trouble remembering events or activities
• Trouble remembering names of familiar people or things
3. Early to Moderate Stage Dementia
• Change in personality
• Loss of insight
• Loss of ability to do simple tasks like brushing teeth or combing hair
• Failure to recognize familiar people and places
• Trouble speaking, understanding, reading and/or writing
• May become anxious, aggressive—disoriented and confused
• Become increasingly unaware of personal limitations
4. Late Stage Dementia
• Greater confusion and disorientation
• Complete dependency on others
• Physical health deteriorates due to inactivity
• Death is usually due to pneumonia or other infections
"Sometimes becoming a caregiver occurs without a conscious decision," says Elizabeth Landsverk, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine, geriatric medicine and palliative care and founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"In the early stages of dementia, living at home or independently is desirable in maintaining the patient's sense of self when family members (usually a spouse and/or children) are able to provide the necessary care with minimal disruption to their lives,” Landsverk points out. “But the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is virtually always progressive, and family members have to come to terms with how their roles and relationships will change over time."
In the first stages of care giving, the primary requirement is for basic information:
- What are the current needs for feeding and hygiene?
- What medication is needed?
- What are the legal and financial concerns?
- What is the best way to communicate and to deal with behavioral issues?
- How will the disease progress?
The patient's primary care physician can provide a great deal of information and can steer the family toward community resources for help with things like transportation, home-delivered meals, and local daycare programs.
"When routines have been established for everyday care, attention must be focused on how to ensure the best possible quality of life for the patient, the family, and especially for the primary caregiver," says Dr. Landsverk. She shares the following tips:
- Don't go it alone! Caring for a loved one with dementia is often a 24/7 job with constantly changing (and increasing) responsibilities. Primary caregivers are at risk for depression and declining health themselves. Say "yes" to offers of help, even for small things like running errands or providing a meal. Take breaks. Accept help from family members or contact community agencies that can make recommendations for respite care.
- Keep the patient active when physically possible: Go for a walk. Enjoy the sunshine, the sounds of birds singing and children playing. Physical activity can decrease anxiety and boredom and can improve sleep. Walking and gentle exercise will also strengthen the leg muscles and help prevent falls.
- Help your loved one make connections: As dementia progresses, the patient increasingly loses a sense of self and of his or her place in the world. But while short-term memory often declines in the early stages of dementia, memories of long ago may be intact and accessible. Revive those memories by looking through family photo albums, playing or singing old songs, reading a favorite book out loud, or watching an old movie.
- Foster a connection with animals: Studies have shown that animals have an instinctive ability to help us heal. A connection with animals can help reduce stress, improve confidence, and enhance overall well-being for those affected by early-stage dementia.
"Providing care for someone with dementia takes a tremendous toll on the physical and emotional health of the primary caregiver," says Landsverk. "Caregivers must take care of themselves as well as caring for their loved one."
Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (Published by the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation):
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The disease begins slowly from a clinical point of view. In its early stages, it appears as short-term memory loss. However, as it progresses through the stages of dementia, cognitive impairment becomes increasingly noticeable and severe. There are four stages that characterize the presence and progress of Alzheimer's.
1. Pre-Dementia Phase
• No obvious symptoms
2. Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Mild forgetfulness that interferes with daily activities
• Trouble remembering events or activities
• Trouble remembering names of familiar people or things
3. Early to Moderate Stage Dementia
• Change in personality
• Loss of insight
• Loss of ability to do simple tasks like brushing teeth or combing hair
• Failure to recognize familiar people and places
• Trouble speaking, understanding, reading and/or writing
• May become anxious, aggressive—disoriented and confused
• Become increasingly unaware of personal limitations
4. Late Stage Dementia
• Greater confusion and disorientation
• Complete dependency on others
• Physical health deteriorates due to inactivity
• Death is usually due to pneumonia or other infections
