Alzheimer's Care

People with Alzheimer live with a constant feeling of wrongness, 
but cannot pinpoint why.

People with Alzheimer’s disease live in a constant state of confusion and fear.  Many are aware that something is off in their lives but can’t quite put their finger on what the problem is.  They struggle, search and stress over the missing pieces and often their battle with confusion is overwhelming to them and their families. 

Caregivers who work with people with Alzheimer’s disease need to be flexible and diligent.  The AD patient’s physical and emotional needs change frequently and without warning.  The first priority of the Caregiver to make sure they provide safety and security.  A person with Alzheimer’s lives in constant anxiety and knowing that their Caregiver is focused on caring for them physically and mentally will help them relax.

Quick Tips:

Speak Slowly – Slowing down and remaining calm will help those with Alzheimer’s do the same.  Avoid phrases that remind them of their problems.  It does not help to remind them that they cannot do something or had already asked a question.  Redirect the situation to avoid adding frustration to the patient’s confusion.

 Use Declarative Sentences – Speaking in short to-the-point sentences conveys information in an easy to understand manner.  Avoid long explanations of why something can’t happen or why someone is missing.  Overwhelming the patient with information can be counterproductive and frustrating.

Touch – Much is conveyed in a simple touch.  Holding hands, touching an arm or giving a hug will help send the message of love and acceptance, which in turn can help the patient relax.

Schedule the Day – Working within a set schedule can help the Alzheimer’s patient.  Finding the best time of day for specific tasks and keeping to that general timetable is one way to keep a sense of order intact.  Avoid planning too much around the evening as many find those with Alzheimer’s tend to be more agitated at that time.

Get Outside – Those with Alzheimer’s benefit from getting plenty of sunlight and exercise.

Socialize – Generally those with Alzheimer’s disease pull away from their established relationships out of fear or embarrassment over their cognitive problems.  Encouraging and providing opportunity to interact with others is very important to keep the AD patient from becoming isolated.

Get Active – Find activities to engage the Alzheimer’s patient.  Often simple things such as sorting or organizing can help calm the confusion of the patient’s mind.

Chart the Day – Keeping a running record of the day can help the Caregiver see patterns and correct problems.  Daily record eating habits, activities, and incidents to see if there is a connection between agitation and some event.  Avoiding anxiety triggers is important and so charting to find those triggers is essential.

As a Caregiver to a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to continue learning and adapting to provide proper care.  Caregivers must be mindful of how confused and afraid those with Alzheimer’s disease generally are, and provide the security and love to help ease their troubled minds.

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999.  Together the two family owned companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.

The Healing Touch

Many elderly people are starved for a gentle touch.

Human touch provides amazing benefits to the aged and has been used since ancient times to relieve discomfort in the body, mind and the soul.  A simple caress or gentle massage can make an enormous difference in the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of people of all ages, yet for the elderly is can be especially helpful in relieving pain, reducing anxieties and warding off loneliness.

Touch is a natural and therapeutic way of interacting with the elderly.  Yet according to leaders in touch therapy, the elderly are often denied touch and its life-enhancing benefits.  In fact the majority of residents living in facilities designed for the elderly are rarely touched outside the hands of those who care for them.  Ashley Montagu, author of TOUCHING, says that people are “unwilling to face the facts of aging” and so shy away from the elderly, failing to recognize their need for physical contact.  One only has to notice an elder’s response to a hug or caress to understand how important the tactile stimulation of touching is for their well-being.  Many elderly people are starved for a gentle touch.

Massage is natural and efficient way of administering touch to the elderly.  It is an effective complimentary therapy to traditional and conventional treatments for the many physical ailments associated with aging. The physical benefits of massage for the elderly include:

·         Restores range of motion - Arthritis and osteoporosis stiffen and cripple the aged, but massage softens tight muscles and restores natural joint lubrication increasing mobility.  Massage also aids in increasing muscle strength and coordination.

·         Reduces high blood pressure - Massage improves lymph and blood circulation and relieves the tension that often leads to high blood pressure.  Better circulation increases the amount of oxygen flowing to muscles and cells and effectively removes toxins from the body.  Lower blood pressure reduces stress on the heart.

·         Relieves pain – The gentle pressure of massage can decrease the need for pain medications.  By temporarily blocking pain nerve signals and encouraging the release of endorphins, massage can reduce pain and in some cases eliminate it completely.  Massage is extensively used for rehabilitation after surgery to hasten the healing process.

·         Improves sleep and mental clarity – Massage helps combat insomnia and other sleep problems that are common among the aged.  Cognitive functions are improved as massage temporarily interrupts patterns of stress, giving the elderly more clarity and control over their situations.

·         Assists in skin preservation – Massage has long been used in preventing pressure sores and bed sores.  Combined with oils or lotions, massage soothes dry and rough skin.

·         Aids in digestion – Massage increases appetites as well as assists with the digestion and elimination processes.

Beyond physical benefits, massage also assists with psychological and emotional issues often faced by the elderly.

·         Manages stress – Aging has its own stressors, including illness, depression, and anxiety, all of which can be alleviated by the healing power of massage. 

·         Diminishes dementia – Massage, even a simple hand massage, has been shown to diminish the agitation and confusion experiences by individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  The calming effect of massage restores a sense of well-being and aids in facilitating communication for those who live with dementia.

·         Releases emotions – Massage can be a powerful tool in allowing an aged person let go of long suppressed emotions.  By bringing feelings to surface through touch, many people are able to talk about issues they had been unable to discuss previously. 

·         Alleviates loneliness – The physical contact of massage reassures the aged that they are not alone. The process of caressing and touching reinforces the idea of human connection by giving one-on-one attention to the aged.  A gentle and caring touch can address major quality of life issues, such as depression, feelings of isolation, lack of self-esteem, fear and anxiety.

Massage for the elderly requires special care and those who provide it should have special training.  Fragile skin and bones, pain medications and multiple medical conditions must be taken into consideration before providing massage.  Avoid deep muscle massage and vigorous movements, as they may not be safe for the elderly. When performing massage on an elderly person, it is important to listen to their desires as well as their nonverbal communication or body language, to determine what kind of massage they prefer and how much pressure to use.  Find a massage therapist who specializes massage for the elderly to  provide the healing power of gentle touch for your loved one. 

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides non-medical home services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is a sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the  physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999.  Together the two companies provide comprehensive care that meets the needs of the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.

 

Sources:

www.livestrong.com “Massage Therapy Benefits for the Elderly” by Kristie Jernigan.  Retrieved 9/15/12.

Montagu, Ashley.  “Touching” New York, NY. Continuum, 1999.

www.amtamassage.org “Massage in Hospices” by Dawn Nelson, Retrieved 9/15/12.

What Love Language Does Your Elderly Parent Speak?

Know how to express love so your elderly parent can receive it.

What Love Language does your elderly parent speak?

There has been a lot of talk about understanding different ways of communicating love since Gary Chapman came out with his book, “Five Love Languages.”  Dr. Chapman’s concept is that people generally have a primary and preferred way of expressing and comprehending love.  Knowing how your loved one perceives love is important to getting your love message across so it is actually received. 

Take that idea and apply it to relationships between grown children and their aging parents.  Typically as parents age there tends to be a lot of strain on their relationships with their adult children.  The aging parent may feel embarrassed, depressed or frustrated by having to depend on their children for assistance and care.  Grown children often experience a sense of loss as they see a parent age and become frail.  Caregiving demands coupled with the role reversal of parent and child all cause relationship tension.  It can be very helpful to understand how to communicate love and affection to an elderly parent that transcends even the most trying of circumstances.

What are the 5 Love Languages?

Words of Affirmation - This language uses words to affirm people.  Some elderly parents need to hear the words, “I love you,” as well as other verbal reassurances of appreciation and encouragement.  Seniors who crave words of love will not get the message just through gifts, hugs and time spent together.  They need to actually hear kind and encouraging words.  Verbal cues are important, so negative words, comments or a sharp tone of voice will hurt deeply and need to be avoided.

   

Quality Time - This language is all about giving the other person your undivided and focused attention. An aging parent who prefers this mode of receiving love wants time together, without distractions. Turn off the phone and the TV and spend real time together talking. Maintain eye contact and focus on actively listening. Your loved one will feel truly special and loved.

       

    
                                                            

Receiving Gifts - For some people, what makes them feel most loved is to receive a gift.This does not mean that your loved one is out to gather up material positions, but rather they appreciate the thought behind the gift, whether it is large or small, expensive or free. Gift giving shows you put effort into knowing your loved one’s tastes and desires.  Careful though, missing a birthday or anniversary or giving a thoughtless gift can be disastrous to the one who values this gesture of love.

Acts of Service - For these people actions speak louder than words. Commonly the love language of men and caregivers, this expression of love seeks to please by serving. Aging parents who speak this language of love will understand the dedication and assistance as acts of love and will be especially appreciative for the help. Broken promises or laziness will be interpreted as their desires do not matter.

Physical Touch – For some people, physical touch is how love is expressed. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands all show concern, care and love. Elderly often suffer from not being touched enough and so respond gratefully to any demonstration of physical tenderness from their grown children. Neglect to touch or rough handling would be considered unforgivable, so gentle hands go a long way in expressing love.

How to recognize your aging parent’s love language: We all use a mix of these love languages in our relationships, but according to Dr. Chapman there is one dominant form of love expression that most will gravitate towards.  To understand your aging parent’s preferred love language, think back to how they related to you during childhood for clues.  If mom was quick with a hug and a kiss, then she may be a speaker of the Love Language of Physical Touch.  If dad rarely said, “I love you,” but spent a lot of time playing ball with you, he might best respond to the Love Language of Quality Time.  Once identified, knowing which love language your aging parent responds to can be used to strengthen your relationship as well as make the sometimes difficult transitions of aging a little easier.  www.homeaidhealthcare.com www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com Sources:  “The 5 Love Languages Explained” Taken from www.thepersonalitycafe.com on 3/21/13. “The 5 Love Languages” by Dr. Gary Chapmen. www.5lovelanguages.com on 3/21/13.