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- $Unique_ID{BRK01866}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Home Care for Alzheimer's Patients}
- $Subject{Alzheimer Alzheimers Alzheimer's Patient Patients Home house Care
- home-care Disease facility facilities problem problems difficulties trouble
- troubles require requirement requirements information book books publication
- publications resource resources program programs community neighborhood safe
- safety hazard hazards danger dangers nutrition food activity activities
- household task tasks health healthy physical physically emotional emotionally
- support group groups Association associations organization organizations
- prepare preparation preparations}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Home Care for Alzheimer's Patients
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- QUESTION: Though my brothers and sisters all advise against this, my husband
- is a loving and caring man that understands me and my point of view. My
- mother has Alzheimer's Disease, still in its early stages. I have visited all
- the local facilities that might accept her for care, and while they all seem
- all right, I can't bring myself to putting Mother in any of them. What are
- the problems I might face if I bring her into my home, and what do you think
- about my chances of pulling it off? I hope you are willing to put this into
- your column for myself and all the others that might be facing the same
- situation. Thank you.
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-
- ANSWER: You are to be praised for your attitude, as well as that of your
- husband. You are facing a huge job, exhausting and frustrating, with little
- hope for a positive end, but proper preparation can make this a rewarding
- experience, perhaps the greatest in your life. And you can do much to make
- your Mother's life a better one as well.
- First, you must study. Learn all about Alzheimer's that you can. There
- are usually a few books in the local library, and perhaps your physician has a
- publication or two that can serve. Develop a full idea of how the disease
- affects your Mother today, and what you must expect in the future.
- Next, start researching your resources. Check with the local hospital
- for programs they might offer. Your own clergy may also be able to indicate
- community resources to you as well.
- Check out your home for safety hazards. You may need gates at the top of
- stair wells, night-lights in hallways and rooms, safety locks on windows above
- the first floor. Check all bannisters to be sure they are secure and sturdy.
- Arrange your furniture so that there are no obstacles to easy access to
- bathrooms, kitchen and sleeping areas. Once you have placed everything
- correctly, they must stay in place. The more familiar the home is, the easier
- it is for an Alzheimer's patient to do well, so rearranging furniture or
- household objects must be kept to a minimum.
- Bone up on nutrition, for tasty, nutritious meals will keep Mother eating
- after she loses interest in food. You will have to push fluids to keep her
- hydrated and regular. If she likes certain dishes, find out how to prepare
- them now, while she can still tell you. Then schedule their preparation on a
- regular basis, to keep her interest in food going as long as possible.
- Plan activities for her that she can continue with over the long haul.
- Let her participate in simple household tasks that are meaningful, but not
- dangerous. Then make a schedule and keep her at it. Regular scheduled
- activity becomes a routine that is comforting, for it is easier to remember.
- You will have to keep up a running conversation, sometimes without getting
- answers. Describe the things you are doing, for communication of this sort
- often keeps patients calm and happy.
- Keep yourself healthy by finding time to rest. You too must keep
- physically fit and emotionally sound, and having someone to take over for a
- few hours on a regular basis is helpful.
- You may find that the information provided by a support group can help
- you plan. Try contacting the Alzheimer's Association, Inc., 919 North
- Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611-1675 (Call 1-800-272-3900).
- Good luck to you, and the many others who face this growing problem with
- courage and determination. The rewards are beyond your imagination.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-