Detecting Alzheimer’s in Appleton Seniors

Posted on April 2, 2018

Detecting Alzheimer’s in Appleton Seniors

Early Onset Alzheimer’s and the Appleton Senior

As Alzheimer’s is normally seen in older Appleton seniors, so many times, as one begins the aging process, they are not looking for early onset Alzheimer’s or dementia. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s can be a long and frustrating process. Symptoms may be incorrectly attributed to stress or there may be conflicting diagnoses from different health care professionals. People who have early onset Alzheimer’s may be in any stage of dementia – early stage, middle stage or late stage. The disease affects each Appleton senior person differently and symptoms will vary.

Have a comprehensive medical evaluation with a doctor who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease. Getting a diagnosis involves a medical exam and possibly cognitive tests, a neurological exam and/or brain imaging.
Write down symptoms of memory loss or other cognitive difficulties to share with your health care professional.
Keep in mind that there is no one test that confirms Alzheimer’s disease. A diagnosis is only made after a comprehensive medical evaluation.

BrightStar Home Care of Appleton and Waupaca area proudly provides medical staffing, skilled nursing and non-medical in home care for seniors and children, including a passion for elder care companionship and supportive services in Outagamie, Waupaca, and portions of Winnebago, Calumet and Brown counties. We are very proud of our Joint Commission Accreditation to provide you the highest quality of care in the Appleton, Fox Cities and Waupaca areas.

Signs of Appleton Seniors Living with Alzheimer’s

Posted on April 2, 2018

Signs of Appleton Seniors Living with Alzheimer’s

Knowing the Signs of Alzheimer’s for Appleton Seniors

As Appleton age, so do our bodies and brains. With age comes forgetfulness and slower thinking, Alzheimer’s and dementia are different. When it comes to Alzheimer’s, you lose new information. As the disease progresses, disorientation presents itself. Along with these memory and coherent struggles, if you have a loved one suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease, they may be in denial of the diagnosis. With this denial, angry reactions and emotions may present themselves. Do not be discouraged, you are not alone! Visit your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter for more information and community.

Alzheimer’s Activities for Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area Seniors on New Year’s

Posted on December 1, 2017

Appleton Seniors with Alzheimer’s: Activities for New Year’s

Seniors: 5 Alzheimer’s Activities for Them on New Year’s

New Year’s Eve typically gets associated with staying up late and going to big, raucous parties—not exactly the ideal activities for Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area seniors. That doesn’t mean that you and your elderly loved one can’t celebrate the holiday together. We’ve shared a few simple New Year’s activities below that are well suited to older adults. Try them out, and remember it’s smart to have your celebration at an alternative time, such as morning or afternoon, especially for seniors with dementia who may experience “sundowning” in the evening hours.

1. Share a Favorite Meal

Does your Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area senior loved one have a favorite dish? Make a plan to enjoy it together. If you’re cooking at home, give him or her simple cooking tasks, such as sorting ingredients, rinsing vegetables, or stirring batter. If you’re eating out, treat it as a special occasion and invite parents to get dressed up or even have their hair done.
2. Reflect on Years Gone By

Pick a few important years from your parent’s life, such as the year he or she got married, or when children were born. Sit down together to look at photos of those days and talk about what they were like.
3. Have a Singalong

Listening to music and sharing singalongs are two great activities for seniors with dementia in particular. Start by making a playlist with your loved one of all his or her favorite songs. You can do this online via YouTube or a free music service, such as Spotify. You can also skip this step and simply play your parent’s favorite CD’s or musical movie. The real fun is in singing along together.
4. Make a Party Hat

A custom party hat is an easy New Year’s craft that seniors of all cognitive and physical abilities can make. Help your parent measure a piece of construction paper to his or her head, then ask them to decorate it. Markers, stickers, stamps, and glitter pens are all great supplies to have on hand—there’s no right or wrong way.
5. Set New Year’s Intentions

For many, New Year’s resolutions trigger thoughts of weight loss or career goals, two topics that aren’t very relevant for Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area seniors. Instead, come up with positive intentions for the coming year, such as spending time together, enjoying lifelong passions like music and art, or simply taking time to appreciate the little things, like the sound of birds or changing seasons.

BrightStar Home Care of Appleton and Waupaca area proudly provides medical staffing, skilled nursing and non-medical in home care for seniors and children, including a passion for elder care companionship and supportive services in Outagamie, Waupaca, and portions of Winnebago, Calumet and Brown counties.
We are very proud of our Joint Commission
Accreditation to provide you the highest quality of care in the Appleton, Fox Cities and Waupaca areas.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Appleton Senior with Alzheimer’s

Posted on December 1, 2017

Resolutions for Appleton Seniors and Their Caregivers

New Year, New Resolutions: Resolution Ideas for the Appleton Senior and Their Caregivers

A new year means it’s time for a fresh start. It’s time to grab the reins on the things we’ve all been saying we are going to get around to doing but haven’t yet. When you have an aging Appleton senior loved one you are caring for, this means having to make New Year’s resolutions for not only yourself, but for them as well.

Take a look at our New Year’s resolution lists of our top suggested goals for 2017.

Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions to do with your Aging Loved One

Fall proof the home of any hazards to help prevent future falls.
Go through family photos and create an album showcasing the photo along with labeling who is in the photo, when it was taken, and a story behind the photo to help preserve memories for your aging Appleton senior loved one and for future generations to enjoy.
Make sure to keep your loved one active to not only stay strong, but healthy as well. This can be done through walks, water aerobics, and the like.
Being healthy doesn’t only mean exercising daily, but also eating right. Make sure to have plenty of fruits and vegetables in the house, and less junk food.
Make sure your loved one’s important documents, financial information, will, assets, etc. is in order. It’s not a fun task, but it’s a better feeling knowing it’s completed.

Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Family Members of an Aging Loved One

Become educated on the medical conditions your loved one is living with as it will help provide comfort to both parties.
Start asking for help. BrightStar Care is here to help you with the daily caregiving responsibilities for your loved one.
Seek financial advice from an expert to ensure your Appleton senior loved ones needs are covered and how to make the money last.
Make sure to thank yourself for all you do every day. Your loved one might not be able to thank you out loud, but they are thinking it.
Always remember to stay positive. You’re making a huge difference in your loved one’s everyday life.

BrightStar Home Care of Appleton and Waupaca area proudly provides medical staffing, skilled nursing and non-medical in home care for seniors and children, including a passion for elder care companionship and supportive services in Outagamie, Waupaca, and portions of Winnebago, Calumet and Brown counties.
We are very proud of our Joint Commission
Accreditation to provide you the highest quality of care in the Appleton, Fox Cities and Waupaca areas.

Celebrating the Holidays with your Appleton Senior with Alzheimer’s

Posted on December 1, 2017

Celebrate the Holidays with your Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area Senior with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s and Holidays: Celebrate with Your Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area Senior during the Holidays

For families with Alzheimer’s, celebrating the holidays can require a little extra effort. You want to involve your Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area senior loved one living with dementia in holiday events, but you want to do it in a way that is appropriate for his or her needs. If you’re the main caregiver in the family, it’s also very important that you practice good self-care and don’t try to take everything on yourself. Keep reading for tips to plan activities and buy gifts for people living with dementia.

Remember to tailor your approach to how progressed your Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area senior loved one’s Alzheimer’s is. For someone in the middle-to-late stages, you’ll need to make bigger changes to accommodate his or her needs. For someone earlier on, you don’t want to overdo it and cause him or her to feel embarrassed or diminished.

Communicate with Other Family Members

If you have relatives coming who aren’t aware of your parent’s condition, let them know what to expect in advance to avoid any awkwardness. Likewise, talk to children ahead of time so they understand that Grandma or Grandpa may act strangely or seem confused at times but that they are still the same loving grandparent. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from siblings, spouses, and other family members—you don’t have to tackle this all on your own.

Keep Things Simple

Both for the sake of your Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area senior loved one living with Alzheimer’s (who may get easily overstimulated or agitated) and for your own sake as the family caregiver, give yourself permission to pare down decorations, traditions, and even your guest list. It’s okay and makes sense to evolve your typical celebration to meet the needs of your changing family.

Check the Environment

Unfamiliar environments can trigger disorientation in seniors living with dementia, so hold celebrations at a location your parent knows, such as your home or a favorite restaurant. As a further step, take precautions to prevent falls and schedule festivities during the day. Evening hours can trigger “sundowning,” a set of behaviors that includes agitation, confusion, and hyperactivity.

Involve Your Parent

Though she may not recall it later, involving your mom in party planning shows her you care and helps you feel better as a caregiver. Ask her what her favorite traditions, songs, or dishes are. You can also take her shopping to pick out gifts she can give to family members. If this is too much for her, buy gifts yourself and have her help with wrapping. Individuals with Alzheimer’s tend to enjoy paper and other tactile experiences.

Plan Appropriate Activities

As mentioned, tactile experiences can make great activities for adults with Alzheimer’s. If you’re writing holiday cards, ask your parent to help with a single tactile task, such as stuffing envelopes or applying stamps. Singing is another great activity: it’s joyful and the ability to sing tends to endure longer than others. You can also watch favorite holiday movies together, or look at old photos—just resist the impulse to quiz your loved one on his or her ability to remember details.

Choose Appropriate Gifts

For someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, pause before buying him or her memory aids (e.g. label machines, automatic nightlights, etc.)—depending on the person, this might feel like a reminder of his condition. An alternative might be to take him or her out to their favorite restaurant or, if they love the theatre, go to see a play. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, you might choose comfortable clothes that are easy to remove, such as a sweat suit, or something to stimulate the five senses, such as a scented lotion, fuzzy blanket, or favorite music and an easy-to-operate device to play it on.

Take Care of Yourself

Perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Let go of perfectionism: don’t try to do everything yourself or worry if it doesn’t all go as planned. Be kind to yourself and schedule time just for you to do things you enjoy.

BrightStar Home Care of Appleton and Waupaca area proudly provides medical staffing, skilled nursing and non-medical in home care for seniors and children, including a passion for elder care companionship and supportive services in Outagamie, Waupaca, and portions of Winnebago, Calumet and Brown counties.
We are very proud of our Joint Commission
Accreditation to provide you the highest quality of care in the Appleton, Fox Cities and Waupaca areas.

Caring for Appleton Alzheimer Seniors

Posted on November 29, 2017

Caring for Loved Ones in Appleton with Alzheimer’s

Advice for Caregivers of Appleton Seniors with Alzheimer’s

In the early stages, you may act more like a care partner, than a caregiver. Your role is one of support, love and companionship. You are there to help with daily life, as needed, and to help the person with Alzheimer’s plan for the future. Since no two people experience Alzheimer’s alike, the degree of assistance needed from a care partner in this stage varies.

Being a caregiver for someone in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s requires flexibility and patience. As the abilities of the person with Alzheimer’s change and functioning independently becomes more difficult, you will have to take on greater responsibility. Daily routines will need to be adapted, and structure will become more important.

During the late stages, your role as a caregiver focuses on preserving quality of life and dignity. Although a person in the late stage of Alzheimer’s typically loses the ability to talk and express needs, research tells us that some core of the person’s self may remain. This means you may be able to continue to connect throughout the late stage of the disease.
Care Partner Resources and Support

We provide families and caregivers of loved ones living with dementia an array of material to help them stay informed and take a proactive role in their caregiving. These resources include a daily connections guide to assist the BrightStar Care caregiver trained in Alzheimer’s and Dementia deliver personal and meaningful care, home safety checklist, guide to health and wellness, assessing and responding to the effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and more.

How BrightStar Care can help

BrightStar Care® is your solution for professional care for early, middle, and late-stage dementia care. Our mission is to provide your loved one living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia the individualized care and support they need to:

Live with Dignity and Purpose safely and securely in their own home
Enjoy Optimal Health and emotional well-being
Maintain Connections to the people, places, things, and memories that matter most to them

We call this specialized approach “BrightStar Connections”

BrightStar Connections is the Only In-Home Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care Program of its Kind, and truly is A Higher Standard of Memory Care.

Call us today to speak with one of professional care experts, or click here to learn more about the BrightStar Care person-centered approach to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care.

The Different Stages of Alzheimer’s

Posted on September 20, 2017

Communication and Alzheimer’s

Communicating in the Different Stages of Alzheimer’s with Your Loved One

In the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, you may not noticed big changes in behavior or communication with your loved one. As it progresses however, the person you once knew will be constantly changing. While this is difficult, you do not have to feel alone or at a loss as to what to expect or what to do. Below is a list of changes that will begin to happen, as well tips on what to do when different situations arise as the disease progresses.

Train of thought is easily lost. – Don’t rush them. Practice patience and silence. Don’t try to finish sentences for your loved one as this may fluster them more. Wait for them to ask for help before jumping in.
Your loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease may have a hard time finding the right words to say, or struggle to articulate a particular thought. – Remember humor and honesty. Be honest about what you as the caregiver is going through, reassure them of your relationship, that they do not need to feel bad around you, that you are there no matter what. And remember to laugh together. Sometimes humor is the best kind of medicine and helps to ease nerves which will alleviate stress, in turn, sometimes improving conversation with those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Along with struggling with articulation, a person with Alzheimer’s may have a hard time putting words or thoughts in the right order, causing communication to be a struggle. – Don’t leave your loved one intentionally of conversations just because it may be “easier.” Encourage involvement, keep communication lines open, figuring out with them different ways the can communicate that is best and most comfortable and effective. Some people are better in person, some via email or phone.
As the disease progresses, remember to continue being supportive. Your loved one may become more and more silent, or they may be repetitive with words and thoughts/ideas they are familiar and comfortable with. – Eye contact and one on one conversations are a huge help when encouraging a person struggling. This makes them feel special, there are less things to be distracted with than if in a group conversation, and you as the caregiver, can more easily pick up on cues to help out your loved one.

The Effects of Alzheimer’s and Communication

Posted on September 20, 2017

When a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Wants to Communicate

A Loved One Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their Communication

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are chronic neuro-degenerative diseases that attack one’s mind and memories, beginning slowly and eventually quickly progressing as time goes on. Dementia and Alzheimer’s do not only affect a person’s memory, but also can affect speech, leave one in a confused and disoriented state, create drastic mood swings, – which affects behaviors – and the ability and awareness of self care. Some medications can also affect your loved ones communication skills, and affect them physically as well. These changes that may occur are different in every person, so it is very important that you stay in constant contact with your senior’s physician. As a result, having a two-way working communication relationship with a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s can be a very taxing and frustrating one. It requires a lot of patience, selflessness, kindness, requires one to be a good listener, and one who is very understanding.

When your loved one is initially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, they will still be relatively the same in their mental capacity and physical condition. This means that they will still be engaged in lively conversation, and will still be quite social if that is how they have always been. It is when they become overwhelmed by situations and by feeling over stimulated by lots of activity and noise, that they will retreat into themselves and begin forgetting things and becoming repetitive in their talking. They may also struggle with finding the correct words to use while trying to communicate. Always remember: They are struggling just as much, if not more, than you are. Patience, understanding, kindness, and love are the key to helping your loved one with Alzheimer’s, and the best medicine they could ask for.

Tips for Helping A Loved One with Dementia Enjoy the Holiday Season

Posted on September 15, 2017

Helping a Loved One with Dementia During the Holiday Season

Dementia and Holiday Enjoyment

Our Resident RN Sharon Roth Maguire recently shared some wonderful gift-giving ideas for aging loved ones. In fact, one of her favorites is simply giving the gift of your presence. All of these tips would be great for anyone, but we wanted to also provide a few helpful considerations for those who have loved ones with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association offers some thoughtful ideas gift-giving and spending quality time that we felt could truly make for a memorable holiday season for everyone.

Build on past traditions and memories. Focus on activities that are meaningful to the person with dementia. Your family member may find comfort in singing old holiday songs or looking through old photo albums.

Involve the person in holiday preparation. If possible, invite him or her to help prepare food, wrap packages, decorate or set the table. This could be as simple as handing you the lights as you place them on the Christmas tree. Be careful with lights, though. Blinking lights may confuse or scare a person with dementia, and decorations that look like food could be mistaken as edible.

Encourage safe and useful gifts for the person with dementia. Diminishing capacity may make some gifts unusable or even dangerous to a person with dementia. If someone asks for gift ideas, suggest items the person with dementia needs or can easily enjoy. Ideas include an identification bracelet, comfortable clothing, audiotapes of favorite music, videos and photo albums.

Put respite care on your wish list. If friends or family ask what you want for a gift, suggest a gift certificate or something that will help you take care of yourself as you care for your loved one. This could be a cleaning or household chore service, an offer to provide respite care, or something that provides you with a bit of rest and relaxation.

Click here for more planning tips for spending the holiday season with a loved one with dementia. Or, for information about the care and support BrightStar Care can offer families this time of year and beyond, contact our local office.

Posted on November 20th, 2015 | No Comments

Ideas for Helping A Loved One in Appleton with Dementia Enjoy the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of fun, merriment, and lots of hustle and bustle activity. Along with the hustle and bustle, comes stress. Family time can be stressful, not having enough time in the day to get things done can be stressful, as well as the stress of making sure that everyone involved in the activities is having an enjoyable time.

4 Strategies When Seniors With Dementia Refuses Medication

Posted on September 15, 2017

When Your Senior Has Dementia And Doesn’t Want Medication

How To Convince Your Senior With Dementia To Take Medication

Seniors with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia may take multiple medications. And because the risk of missing a dose or confusing pills is so high for these individuals, someone should oversee the process. But what happens when your loved one resists or refuses to take medication? This can happen for a variety of reasons – they don’t remember or understand why they need to take it, or they don’t want to take orders and feel like they’re not in control.
We never want to force someone to take a medication. It’s their home, and we want to honor their choice. But we also know some medications are critical to a person’s health. While we need to keep safety in mind, you can use these four strategies – and a little creativity and flexibility – to help your loved one feel more comfortable about taking their medication.
1. Find the best time of day. We all have a particular time of day when we’re at our best. Some people are grumpy in the morning and may not want to take medication right then. But they may be more alert and receptive to it later in the day. The time of day when someone has to take a medication isn’t always set in stone. One of the advantages of the home-care setting is the flexibility it offers to fit in with the individual’s routines. After you check with their doctor or pharmacist, try giving the individual medication when they’re most open to taking it. If needed, talk to their doctor and pharmacist again to adjust their medications. Then, make the new medication schedule part of their daily routine. People with dementia appreciate and respond well to repetition and structure.
2. Examine frequency, delivery method, and number of medications: After you’ve found a good time of day to give your loved one medication, take a close look at the number of medications they take, how often, and in what forms. If you’re frequently frustrated trying to administer medication, you may find there are options that make the process easier. Consult with your senior loved one’s doctor and pharmacist about whether there are alternatives to a medication that can cut down the number of times they take it each day. For example, if they are prescribed a medication that needs to be taken four times a day, is there an equivalent that they can take twice a day? Often, there are options for how an individual takes a medication. If your loved one doesn’t like to swallow a pill, ask if the drug comes in other forms, such as a liquid or patch. You also may be able to crush up a pill and put it in a food such as applesauce or pudding. This can make taking it more tolerable. However, still be transparent about this and tell your loved one you are doing this. Also, not all pills should be crushed, so ask the doctor or pharmacist first. One note: Don’t spoil a food they love by mixing in a nasty, bitter medication. If they love ice cream, for example, don’t ruin it for them with a taste they hate. Keep a list of medications and periodically ask your loved one’s doctor and pharmacist to review it. You may find that a medication can be eliminated because it’s no longer necessary or another medication they’re taking does the same thing. Also, take a close look at the over-the-counter medications your loved one takes.
3. Make explanations simple: People with dementia may refuse to take medication if they don’t understand or have forgotten what a medication is for. If they ask about it, offer a simple explanation. Don’t over-explain things because it can potentially heighten the resistance.
4. Follow medication safety best practices: Not taking medication as directed can have serious health consequences. Managing a medication plan for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia may require more work at times than for individuals with other conditions. But don’t let basic medication safety fall through the cracks.
* Keep a list of all medications and review it with the doctor and pharmacist: They can assess the dosages and look for potentially dangerous interactions or duplication medications.
* Use a pill dispenser: Select a product that is meant to organize medications. Don’t use, for example, an egg carton. It’s not meant for that purpose. Our nurses and caregivers can offer suggestions for a pill dispenser if you need one. Also, set up pill reminders so you never miss a dose. This could be an alarm clock, phone service, or app.
* Store medicines properly: Some medications may require a special environment, such as refrigeration, but most do best in a cool, dry place. Don’t keep them in your bathroom cabinet, where it is often hot and humid. Also, take care to keep medications away from children, pets, and, if necessary, the person with dementia.