Caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s can require specialized training to deal with the complications of this progressive illness, especially in the later stages. People with Alzheimer’s will have trouble communicating with others and experience a slow decline in their critical thinking skills and ability to function normally. If your parent is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease and not getting the proper care at home, it is time to consider enrolling them in a memory care program for seniors.
At Ventana, our full-service senior living community offers memory care and plenty of personal services and amenities for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement. Our team works closely with each resident to devise a treatment program based on their unique symptoms and medical care needs. Our specialists have experience treating all types of dementia and use the latest in medicinal and therapeutic care to restore lost functions and slow the progression of the disease. For more information about our memory care for seniors, message us online or call 214.225.6197 today to speak with one of our team members.
How to Care for a Relative with Alzheimer’s Disease
One of the first steps in learning how to care for a relative with Alzheimer’s is by familiarizing yourself with the disease and its symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological illness that destroys neurons and the surrounding connective tissues.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease can experience the following symptoms:
- Trouble coming up with the right words in sentences or forgetting the names of people and objects
- Entering a room and forgetting what they needed to do
- Difficulty planning or figuring out complex solutions
- Becoming confused about where they are or the time of day
- Failing to take essential medications or care for personal hygiene
- Incontinence
- Frequent mood swings that can become aggressive or violent
Alzheimer’s disease typically progresses slowly over several years but can advance quickly depending on the person and their unique physiology. When at-home care is no longer enough to care for their needs, you can enroll them in a senior living community that offers memory care programs.
At Ventana, we are committed to helping seniors make the most of their golden years and offer memory care programs and other services to care for their needs. Our team will review the care options with you and your parent and create a tailored treatment plan to adapt as their health changes.
Tips for Alzheimer’s Care
Here are some at-home tips on how to care for a relative with Alzheimer’s disease:
- Setting a routine – One of the best tips for Alzheimer’s care is to set up a routine early on. This can include meal times, socializing time, exercise time, etc. Help them set up an online calendar that you can share between family and caregivers. This can go a long way toward slowing the progression of the disease and building healthy lifestyle habits.
- Don’t do too much right away – Seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s can still lead a reasonably independent life. Let them do the things that they can still do on their own, even if they are struggling with the task. You want them to be as mentally and physically active as possible throughout the disease, and doing so is very helpful in helping them feel like they are still in control of their lives.
- Increase social activity – An active social life benefits men and women with Alzheimer’s disease. It helps reduce the risk of depression and loneliness while remembering names and faces. Have children, grandchildren, and other relatives and friends visit often and at regular times.
These are just a few tips for caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s disease that you can begin doing at home. As their symptoms worsen, enrolling them in a memory care program is the best choice for their health and well-being.
Caring for a Relative with Alzheimer’s? Get Help from Ventana
Ventana is a high-rise senior living community that offers compassionate memory care services for seniors living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other neurological disorders. To discover the benefits of our memory care services, contact Ventana today at 214.225.6197 to speak with one of our caring team members.