Carol Brauer

A New Way of Living: Alzheimer’s

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Coping with Alzheimer’s

Emotions and Living with Alzheimer’s

Just because you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, doesn’t mean that you are isolated from the rest of the world. Rest in that there is a great community out there of support for every step of the way. People who are out that there that know exactly what you are going through, whether it be they themselves are suffering from Alzheimer’s, or they are dealing with a loved one suffering. One thing that you will most commonly hear from friends, doctors, support groups, is this: tackle the disease early. The second is to know emotional roller coaster it will be, and understand all of the stages of emotions that will be to come. The first emotion that usually comes with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is one of loss. Loss of the normalcy that life once was, loss of how easy life was, and loss of memories made in the past. Fear may not be far behind. Fear of the unknown future, fear of the future changes to come, fear of the lost memories, as well as fear of the loss to knowing the every day “routine” tasks.

To help whether it be you or a loved one suffering from Alzheimer‘s, below is a standard series of emotions that you will experience after a diagnosis:

  1. Depression: There will be a sense of sadness and hopelessness and helplessness to stop the changes that are to come.
  2. Denial: There will probably be a stage at the beginning where you cannot wrap your mind around it and may think that all doctors are wrong with their diagnosis. Hearing you have this disease can be overwhelming, and it may be easier to pretend at the beginning that it isn’t really there to avoid the drastic changes that you will have to eventually make in life.
  3. Sense of loss: As the disease progresses, you will have to mentally prepare yourself or  your loved one for grieving the life once lived before being diagnosed.
  4. Anger: As with most if not all medical diagnosis’, anger will be one of most early reactions to hearing you have Alzheimer’s. You do not have control over what is happening in your body, and you are being forced to completely changing your way of living. Plans will have to change, and the unknown future will be the dictator of many things moving forward.
  5. Resentment: The all too common “why” question will pop up. “Why me? What did I do to deserve this?”
  6. Fear: Fear of the unknown future, fear of how loved ones will respond, help, or not help.
  7. Isolation: You may feel like you do not have anyone to talk to, or that no one knows or understands what you are going through.
  8. Relief: You’ve known for sometime that something was wrong, and now you feel relief that you have a diagnosis and you have information moving forward on how to cope and live with this new way of life.

 

Alzheimer’s: The Signs (Part 2)

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Do You or a Loved One Have Alzheimer’s? (Part 2)

Signs You or Your Loved One May Have Alzheimer’s

A tell tale sign that a person may be suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia, is a compromise in judgement in regards to every day life choices and behavior. This could be something as simple as not being able to dress oneself properly, as far as how to put on a shirt or pants, or in regards to weather appropriate dressing. In most cases, seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s will start having trouble with money, and not making wise financial decisions, but will instead make erratic and impulsive spending patterns.  Simple tasks that you or your loved ones could accomplish without a second thought, now become more difficult. Planning a daily routine, making decisions, or even the simple task of deciding dinner, now will become a taxing chore that will take up energy and mind power that never happened before. Repeating words, concepts, and stories repeatedly is also common among Alzheimer’s patients. If a person is in a stressful situation, this could be the reaction they have to self sooth, or this could also be the reaction in a situation where they feel fearful or even bored.
A person with Alzheimer’s begins to struggle with their communication. As the disease worsens, so does the talking. A sentence may not get finished,  a word or thought may not be able to be communicated, and the person may have to use hand gestures to communicate. Comprehension of time and place is another tell tale sign of Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. Doctors will even comment that not having any concept of time, and being completely disoriented all of the time in that regard is a sure sign and problem with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s: The Signs (Part 1)

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Do you or a Loved One Have Alzheimer’s?

Signs You or Your Loved One May Have Alzheimer’s

You see some differences. You are not sure what it is. Should you be worried, or not? Doctors remind patients that just because you may have a symptom or two, this does NOT necessarily mean that you have Alzheimer’s. This also does not mean you have dementia, which is caused by Alzheimer’s about half to 80% of the time. Sometimes loss of memory can be attributed to a deficiency in B12, sometimes it can be caused by a malfunction in the liver, kidney, brain, or thyroid. To help more quickly diagnose if you have Alzheimer’s Disease, take a look to see if you have the following symptoms.

The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease is memory loss. This is different from forgetfulness. People of all ages can suffer from memory loss due to anxiety, depression, or stress. You make think that you are showing signs of dementia if these arise as you age, but that is not necessary true. Memory loss is a more severe and different scenario. An older person who is suffering from memory loss will not remember what happened two minutes prior, versus just forgetting a person’s name or a small detail in a pervious conversation. Memory loss is actually not a normal part of the aging process, but rather is a sign that something is not right.

Mood swings and agitation is another sign of Alzheimer’s in an elderly person who is usually even keeled and generally calm and cheerful. If a senior starts to become erratic in behavior and has builds up a habit of pacing to and fro, concentrated on details such as dates, places, and specific people, which in turn causes them to become confused and distressed on an extreme level, this could be a tell tale sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. If you are a caretaker of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, keep in mind that big change such as moving one from a home to a nursing facility, can be a trigger for anxiety and emotion.

If you are the loved one of a senior suffering from Alzheimer’s, a great way to care for them is to take control of their finances. As Alzheimer’s Disease takes over the brain, numbers of any kind, especially in regards to money, will become confusing to a person. This also applies to every day normal duties, such as cooking, cleaning, or any other household chores as simple as watering plants. But it is not just the chores that they may forget about. Playing a favorite game may become difficult, or other favorite pastime hobbies or actives.

Free Ebook For Appleton Seniors: Identifying Alzheimer’s

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Free Ebook For Appleton Seniors: Identifying Alzheimer’s

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month and there’s no shortage of information and advocacy to not only find a cure for this disease that impacts the lives of millions each year, but also to promote awareness. And there’s no greater awareness than that of helping to identify and diagnose this disease so that individuals and their families can get the help that they need.

We’ve created a free ebook geared toward identifying the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, including

  • An overview of Alzheimer’s and dementia
  • The signs and symptoms of mild to moderate dementia
  • The differences between this disease and age-related memory changes
  • And more!

Click here to download the ebook and pass it along to family and friends.

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.

Blog Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month for Appleton Seniors

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Alzheimer’s Awareness Month for Appleton Seniors

How Appleton Seniors can Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Whether or not you have an Appleton senior loved one living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, chances are you’re aware of the devastating effects of these diseases. Indeed, with more than 47 million people worldwide affected (projections estimate this number to rise to 76 million by 2030[1]), it’s hard to stay ignorant. Yet spreading awareness is more important than ever. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only one in the top 10 that can’t be prevented, slowed, or cured[2]. BrightStar Care eagerly supports the Alzheimer’s Association in its organization of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month this June. We’ll be blogging all month on ways to learn more and get involved, so keep checking back. This week, we share ways you can show support and honor Alzheimer’s sufferers.

Participate in the Longest Day

Monday, June 20 marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. In time with this, The Longest Day is a unique fundraising activity to honor those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, for whom every day is long and hard. Not simply a run or walk, the Longest Day invites participants to spend the day doing something they love, whether that’s kayaking, biking, or dancing.[3]

Go Purple

People can also foster Alzheimer’s awareness on the Longest Day by “going purple,” the color of the Alzheimer’s Association. A few ideas to get involved: wear purple, change light bulbs, or write #ENDALZ on your windows in washable purple window chalk. However you participate, make sure to share your pictures on social media and use the hashtag #ENDALZ.

Become an Advocate

Anyone can sign up at the Alzheimer’s Association website to join their network of Alzheimer’s advocates. Advocates receive regular emails with ways to help influence national policy and create widespread awareness—everything from joining support groups to writing letters to congress to serving on advisory boards.[4]

Take Care of Yourself

Perhaps one of the simplest, but most profound ways to honor Appleton senior Alzheimer’s sufferers is to live a healthy lifestyle. Though there’s no known way to definitely prevent Alzheimer’s, research shows that following a healthy diet and exercise plan, keeping social engagements, and fueling your mind with ongoing education and stimulating activities may all slow cognitive decline. [5]

[1] http://alz.org/abam/?_ga=1.84317712.865058079.1393898811#getTheFacts

[2] http://alz.org/abam/?_ga=1.84317712.865058079.1393898811#getTheFacts

[3] http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=8480&pg=informational&sid=22697

[4] http://www.alz.org/forum/experience.asp#advocateStoriesAnchor

[5] http://alz.org/abam/?_ga=1.84317712.865058079.1393898811#loveYourBrain

 

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.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: CONTINUING THE FIGHT FOR APPLETON SENIORS

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Continuing on as an Appleton Senior with Alzheimer’s

Appleton Seniors: Persevering with Alzheimer’s

We care about the health of our community. That’s why we joined the Alzheimer’s Early Detection Alliance (AEDA), a group of corporations, nonprofits and government entities determined to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease for Appleton seniors. We’ve launched an Alzheimer’s Association partnership page featuring an “Ask An Expert” function that allows families to submit their question or call a hotline.

Under the leadership of the Alzheimer’s Association, this alliance will work to educate people nationwide about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of early detection. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and no method to prevent its onset. Early detection in Appleton seniors is our only management tool, allowing those living with the disease – and their families – time to plan for the future. This may include building the correct medical team, enrolling in clinical studies or investing in safety measures.

Many people struggle to determine if a behavior is a typical age-related change or the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease. To help, the Alzheimer’s Association has created this list of warning signs for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Every individual may experience one or more of these in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.

  1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life
  2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
  3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  4. Confusion with time or place
  5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
  7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  8. Decreased or poor judgment
  9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
  10. Changes in mood and personality

To learn more about the 10 signs, visit our Alzheimer’s Association partnership page to submit your questions or 877-IS IT ALZ (877.474.8259). As a member of the AEDA, BrightStar will continue to deliver quality care to families facing Alzheimer’s in addition to working to provide reliable information about Alzheimer’s disease and early detection during the upcoming months in addition to continuing to publish helpful tools, ebooks, checklists and more (like this brain stimulating game).

If you or an Appleton senior  loved one is affected by Alzheimer’s disease, turn to the Alzheimer’s Association for support and services. Information is available online at www.alz.org or by calling the Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

 

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.

Appleton Care for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver

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Senior Caregivers must remember to take care of their needs to better support their Appleton Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Remember to Care for Yourself to Take Care of Your Appleton Senior

Appleton seniors living with Alzheimer’s want to continue their lives as fully and well as possible, for as long as possible. To be able to have the choice of living healthy, active, and involved and independently is the overall desire by those living with Alzheimer’s, especially after they are first diagnosed. As the Alzheimer’s caregiver, your MOST IMPORTANT job is to help them attain these goals. Make note of the list below to help you along in helping your senior as they begin their new life of living with Alzheimer’s.

  • Motivate them to stay active. Studies show, physical activity and exercise is an easy way to help maintain the disease, especially if they are activities that the two of you both can enjoy.
  • Maintain a healthy and balanced diet by preparing meals that are low fat and have lots of vegetables.
  • Keep a consistent daily schedule which involves engaging with others, and helps your senior sleep well.
  • Always be on the alert for stressful situations that could set off your loved one living with Alzheimer’s.
  • TEAM WORK! Work together on ways to relax and enjoy life.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers should take time for themselves

Being an Alzheimer’s caregiver can cause stress in your life. To help reduce some of this stress, try to engage yourself in activities that strengthen your sense of well-being. Spending time with family and friends, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and regularly seeing your doctor are just a few examples of how remember to take care of yourself.

When it comes to your emotional and mental health, think about ways to take some time of yourself to sit back and relax and gain your own support system. This could mean one afternoon a month where you schedule time away from your Appleton senior and take some time for yourself, and schedule someone else to be caregiver for the day.

  • Build yourself a support network: Surrounding yourself with support is key at the very beginning, before things become too stressful and overwhelming.
  • Other caregivers: Find encouragement and comfort in those who know exactly what you are going through. Having understanding and knowledgeable support can make a world  of  difference.
  • Get help: It is common for caregivers to always give and be there to help, but do not seek or accept help for themselves. Make sure you ASK AND ACCEPT!
  • Rest: Make time for yourself and what interests you.
  • Don’t be oversensitive: As an Alzheimer’s caregiver, remember that the disease affects the senior’s brain. Their memory may not always be sharp, so if they are forgetful about commitments or things you discuss, do not take it personally.
  • Your Health: Maintain your diet, exercise, and regular doctor visits.
  • Be engaged: Staying involved in activities that are important to you as an individual will help you to maintain a healthy and balanced life while caregiving for your senior.
  • Laugh: Remember that it is okay to, and make opportunities to, laugh as funny situations come along.

Resources and Other Information for Alzheimer’s Care

As an Alzheimer’s caregiver, your confidence will build the more you educate yourself about the disease, and the more prepared you will be as various situations arise. The more knowledge you gain, the easier it will be for you to problem solve, especially as the disease grows and changes. Prepare yourself with what the future may hold, what to expect and how to handle it. You will feel empowered, and in turn, you can help your Appleton senior living with Alzheimer’s gain confidence as well.

Acceptance: It is vitally important that you, the Alzheimer’s caregiver accept the diagnosis, before your Appleton senior. Your acceptance can affect and support them in accepting this new stage of life they find themselves in.

Understanding: Symptoms of Alzheimer’s are slow to develop, but they get worse over time, and eventually hinder an Appleton senior from performing every day tasks and activities. While it is different from person to person, comparing symptoms with others suffering from Alzheimer’s can be helpful.

Treatments and trials: While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, treatments and trials are available to help with the symptoms, and provide a better quality of life for your Appleton senior loved one for as long as possible.

The future:  An Appleton senior who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s will want to have a voice in their future, as well as in the decisions that will affect them, whether that be legal, financial, or long term care planning. These conversations will most likely be difficult, but keeping the Appleton senior suffering from Alzheimer’s involved will help empower everyone. Also, knowing the wishes of your loved one will help you as the Alzheimer’s caregiver will give you confidence in the future when decisions need to be made for them. As in many scenarios in life, being organized and prepared will make life easier and more enjoyable for all.

Living alone: Living alone is common for Appleton seniors living with early onset Alzheimer’s. As the caregiver, call and visit often, always making help readily available for your loved one. This includes having help available for meal prep, financial aid, transportation, and other daily chores. Be ready for sudden changes, and make sure extra help is on hand if ever needed.

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.