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Dealing with the Diagnosis |
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
Finding out that a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful, frightening, and overwhelming. As you begin to take stock of the situation, here are some tips that may help:
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
For many caregivers, there comes a point when they are no longer able to take care of their loved one at home. Choosing a residential care facility—a nursing home or an assisted living facility—is a big decision, and it can be hard to know where to start.
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Visiting a Person with AD |
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
Visitors are important to people with AD. They may not always remember who the visitors are, but just the human connection has value. Here are some ideas to share with someone who is planning to visit a person with AD.
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
Holidays are bittersweet for many AD caregivers. The happy memories of the past contrast with the difficulties of the present, and extra demands on time and energy can seem overwhelming. Finding a balance between rest and activity can help.
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
It is important that the person with AD receive regular medical care. Advance planning can help the trip to the doctor’s office go more smoothly.
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
Making the decision that a person with AD is no longer safe to drive is difficult, and it needs to be communicated carefully and sensitively. Even though the person may be upset by the loss of independence, safety must be the priority.
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
Caregivers of people with AD often have to look at their homes through new eyes to identify and correct safety risks. Creating a safe environment can prevent many stressful and dangerous situations. The ADEAR Center offers the booklet, Home Safety for People with Alzheimer’s Disease, which lists many helpful tips. See page 20 for information on how to contact the ADEAR Center.
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
Keeping the person safe is one of the most important aspects of caregiving. Some people with AD have a tendency to wander away from their home or their caregiver. Knowing what to do to limit wandering can protect a person from becoming lost.
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Hallucinations and Delusions |
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
As the disease progresses, a person with AD may experience hallucinations and/or delusions. Hallucinations are when the person sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels something that is not there. Delusions are false beliefs from which the person cannot be dissuaded.
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
For the exhausted caregiver, sleep can’t come too soon. For many people with AD, however, the approach of nighttime may be a difficult time. Many people with AD become restless, agitated, and irritable around dinnertime, often referred to as “sundowning” syndrome. Getting the person to go to bed and stay there may require some advance planning.
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