Many family caregivers aren’t prepared for what Alzheimer’s disease will bring to their elderly loved one’s life. They often think that it is just memory loss. Unfortunately, there is more to this disease than just memory loss. However, being more prepared for what will happen with this disease can help you to offer better care to your elderly loved one. Don’t forget that elderly care providers are always available to help you manage this disease. They can be there as much or as little as you need.
Losing Memory
Even though there is much more to Alzheimer’s disease than just memory loss, it should still be noted. At the beginning of this disease, only short-term memory is usually affected. However, as time goes on, your elderly loved one will lose their long-term memory, too. Your elderly loved one might forget about things they just heard you say. They will start repeating questions because they forget the question was just asked. Over time, your elderly loved one will forget things that happened in previous years and even in their teenage and childhood years.
Problem-Solving Issues
With Alzheimer’s disease, your elderly loved one is also going to need help solving problems. During the earlier stages of this disease, your elderly loved one may see or hear something, but not understand what happened. You or an elderly care provider may need help in figuring out what is going on. Later in the disease, your elderly loved one may need more help handling even the most basic problems such as math facts they have known since they were a kid. At this point, many family caregivers often feel they need more help from elderly care providers. There is nothing wrong with that.
Doing Routine Tasks
Your elderly loved one will need help with doing routine tasks. People with Alzheimer’s have problems with memory, attention, concentration, and much more. They may forget how to do the dishes, fold laundry, make phone calls, and pay bills. These are all things that you and elderly care providers may need to help your elderly loved one with. It might be a good idea to make a list of tasks that your elderly loved one needs help with. Then, you can determine how much of that you can help with and how much help you will need from elderly care providers.
Conclusion
These are some of the things that happen with Alzheimer’s disease. Now that you know some of the things to expect from the disease, you will know what type and how much care your elderly loved one will need.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN PALMETTO, FL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS OF BRADENTON. CALL TODAY: (941) 499-5946
