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What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that is a particular type of dementia. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include: 

• Serious memory loss and confusion
• Mood swings often fueled by agitation
• Impaired judgment 
• Difficulty completing tasks that involve sequential steps
• Trouble communicating
• Repetitive speech or actions
• Withdrawal and loss of motivation
• Deteriorating motor skills
• Inability to recognize those close to them
• Forgetting meals and grooming
• Paranoia and delusions
• Strange behavior

Alzheimer’s and Caregiving

Sometimes people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease have to move to assisted living homes where they can receive professional monitoring and care as the disease progresses. For people who cannot afford these homes or who do not want their loved ones moving into one, in-home caregiving is an option. It’s important to note that caregiving for an Alzheimer’s patient is not easy. In fact, it’s incredibly stressful and time-consuming. Those who take on this monumental task do it because they love the person with Alzheimer’s. 

As a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient, Alzheimers.net notes you have to relearn how to communicate with your loved one. It’s important to take time out of each day to spend with him or her. Being around familiar people and things can help Alzheimer’s patients hold on to their memory and cognitive abilities longer. Caregiving is about being there for your loved one in the moment. The moment may not always be easy, but when you get to see your loved one experience comfort and joy, it is all worth it. 

Preparing Your Home for Alzheimer’s Caregiving

Whether the Alzheimer’s patient is moving in with you or it’s the other way around, he or she needs a safe and accessible living space where accidents are minimized. Preparing your home may be as simple as putting up some glass objects and adding safety latches to cabinets, but as the condition progresses and mobility becomes impaired, you may need to make several renovations for accessibility. Below are a few things to consider. 

• Install safety ramps over steps wherever possible. You can buy ramps or even build one yourself if you are feeling handy. Even if Alzheimer’s patients are not in a wheelchair, ramps are exponentially easier for them to navigate as their motor skills decline. If you’re not able to build your own ramp, you can hire a local handyman for the job.
  
• Since people with Alzheimer’s tend to wander off into danger, it’s a good idea to install security measures that let you know if they are leaving the house. Exterior locks, childproof windows, and alarms on all the exits will be your eyes and ears around the house.
  
• Set up a secure and comfortable bedroom just for your loved one. Ideally, it has a bathroom attached, but a bathroom that is easily accessible is the next best thing.
  
• The bathroom may need certain installations such as a safety bench and railing to make bathing easier.
  
• Avoid low furniture like coffee tables and consider covering corners and sharp edges with protective foam.
  
• Remove decorations and knick knacks that could be dangerous such as large, heavy glass objects.
  
• Consider putting some of your loved one’s favorite pictures and items around the bedroom for his or her enjoyment. 

Obviously home renovations can become quite costly. You might wish to apply for a grant, such as through your local or state government. Since as Lifeway Mobility notes, most people must pay for these modifications out of pocket, a loan might be your best bet. Many people opt to refinance their homes or get a home equity loan. You may wish to do some sprucing up and get an appraisal. These loans take into consideration your home’s market value and how much you currently owe on your mortgage, and the interest rates are currently low, so it’s a palatable solution.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disorder that generally affects seniors. As the disease progresses, it becomes more and more difficult for patients to live on their own. While some people must live in assisted homes, others rely on family or friends to be in-home caregivers. In-home caregiving is a challenging task and requires adjustments around the house. However, in the end, caregivers are doing their part to preserve the Alzheimer’s patient’s comfort and dignity. 

Kent Elliot
Guest Blogger
Dragon Intuitive