Question: How to diagnose Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Now that your family member or friend has received a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease, its important to learn as much as you can about the disease and how to care for someone who has it. You may also want to know the right way to share the news with family and friends. Learning About Alzheimers Sometimes, you may feel that you don't know how to care for the person with Alzheimers. This is a common feeling among caregivers of people with Alzheimers because each day may bring different challenges. Learning about the disease can help you understand and cope with these challenges. Here is some information about Alzheimers and ways you can learn more about it. Alzheimers disease is an illness of the brain. It causes large numbers of nerve cells in the brain to die. This affects a persons ability to remember things and think clearly. People with Alzheimers become forgetful and easily confused and may have a hard time concentrating. They may have trouble taking care of themselves and doing basic things like making meals, bathing, and getting dressed. Alzheimers varies from person to person. It can progress faster in some people than in others, and not everyone will have the same symptoms. In general, though, Alzheimers takes many years to develop, becoming increasingly severe over time. As the disease gets worse, people need more help. Eventually, they require total care. Alzheimer's disease consists of three main stages: mild (sometimes called early-stage), moderate, and severe (sometimes called late-stage). Understanding these stages can help you care for your loved one and plan ahead. Mild Alzheimers Disease In the mild stage of Alzheimers, people often have some memory loss and small changes in personality. They may have trouble remembering recent events or the names of familiar people or things. They may no longer be able to solve simple math problems or balance a checkbook. People with mild Alzheimers also slowly lose the ability to plan and organize. For example, they may have trouble making a grocery list and finding items in the store. Moderate Alzheimers Disease In the moderate stage of Alzheimers, memory loss and confusion become more obvious. People have more trouble organizing, planning, and following instructions. They may need help getting dressed and may start having problems with bladder or bowel control. People with moderate Alzheimers may have trouble recognizing family members and friends. They may not know where they are or what day or year it is. They also may begin to wander, so they should not be left alone. Personality changes can become more serious. For example, people may make threats or accuse others of stealing. Severe Alzheimers Disease In the severe stage of Alzheimer's, people usually need help with all of their daily needs. They may not be able to walk or sit up without help. They may not be able to talk and often cannot recognize family members. They may have trouble swallowing and refuse to eat. For a short overview of Alzheimers, see Understanding Alzheimers Disease: What You Need to Know. Learn More About Alzheimers Disease So far, there is no cure for Alzheimers, but there are treatments that can prevent some symptoms from getting worse for a limited time. Here are some ways you can learn more about Alzheimers disease. - Talk with a doctor or other healthcare provider who specializes in Alzheimers disease. - Check out books or videos about Alzheimers from the library. - Go to educational programs about the disease. - Visit the website of the National Institute on Agings Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center. The Institute has a guide, Caring for a Person with Alzheimers Disease,which can be viewed online and ordered in print. - Read about Alzheimers disease on NIHSeniorHealth. - Find a support group for caregivers, ideally one in which members are taking care of someone who is in the same stage of Alzheimers as the person you are caring for. Talk with a doctor or other healthcare provider who specializes in Alzheimers disease. Check out books or videos about Alzheimers from the library. Go to educational programs about the disease. Visit the website of the National Institute on Agings Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center. The Institute has a guide, Caring for a Person with Alzheimers Disease,which can be viewed online and ordered in print. Read about Alzheimers disease on NIHSeniorHealth. Find a support group for caregivers, ideally one in which members are taking care of someone who is in the same stage of Alzheimers as the person you are caring for. Talking With Family and Friends When you learn that someone has Alzheimers disease, you may wonder when and how to tell your family and friends. You may be worried about how others will react to or treat the person. Others often sense that something is wrong before they are told. Alzheimers disease is hard to keep secret. When the time seems right, be honest with family, friends, and others. Use this as a chance to educate them about Alzheimers disease. You can share information to help them understand what you and the person with Alzheimers are going through. You can also tell them what they can do to help. You can help family and friends understand how to interact with the person who has Alzheimers. - Help them realize what the person can still do and how much he or she can still understand. - Give them suggestions about how to start talking with the person. For example, "Hello George, I'm John. We used to work together." - Help them avoid correcting the person with Alzheimers if he or she makes a mistake or forgets something. - Help them plan fun activities with the person, such as going to family reunions or visiting old friends. Help them realize what the person can still do and how much he or she can still understand. Give them suggestions about how to start talking with the person. For example, "Hello George, I'm John. We used to work together." Help them avoid correcting the person with Alzheimers if he or she makes a mistake or forgets something. Help them plan fun activities with the person, such as going to family reunions or visiting old friends. Helping Children Understand Alzheimers If the person with Alzheimers has young children or grandchildren, you can help them understand what is happening. Answer their questions simply and honestly. For example, you might tell a young child, "Grandma has an illness that makes it hard for her to remember things." Know that their feelings of sadness and anger are normal. Comfort them. Tell them they didn't cause the disease. If the child lives with someone who has Alzheimers, don't expect him or her to "babysit" the person. Make sure the child has time for his or her own interests and needs, such as playing with friends and going to school activities. Spend time with the child, so he or she doesn't feel that all your attention is on the person with Alzheimers. Many younger children will look to you to see how to act around the person with Alzheimers disease. Show children they can still talk with the person and help them enjoy things. Doing fun things together, like arts and crafts or looking through photo albums, can help both the child and the person with Alzheimer's. Challenges for Teens A teenager might find it hard to accept how the person with Alzheimers has changed. He or she may find the changes upsetting or embarrassing and not want to be around the person. Talk with teenagers about their concerns and feelings. Don't force them to spend time with the person who has Alzheimers. Get more information about helping family and friends understand Alzheimers disease.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What to do for Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Most people with Alzheimers disease are cared for at home by family members. Within families, caregiving is provided most often by wives and husbands, followed by daughters. As Alzheimers disease gets worse, the person will need more and more care. Because of this, you will need more help. It's okay to seek help whenever you need it. Building a local support system is a key way to get help. This system might include a caregiver support group, the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, family, friends, and faith groups. To learn where to get help in your community, contact - the Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, 1-800-438-4380 or visit www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers - the Alzheimer's Association at 1-800-272-3900. the Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, 1-800-438-4380 or visit www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers the Alzheimer's Association at 1-800-272-3900. Various professional services can help with everyday care in the home of someone with Alzheimers disease. Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance plans may help pay for these services. Contact Eldercare Locator to find the services you need in your area by calling 1-800-677-1116 or visiting www.eldercare.gov. Home Health Care Services Home health care agencies send a home health aide or nurse to your home to help you care for a person with Alzheimers. They may come for a few hours or stay for 24 hours and are paid by the hour. Some home health aides are better trained and supervised than others. Ask your doctor or other health care professional about good home health care services in your area. Get as much information as possible about a service before you sign an agreement. Also, ask for and check references Here are some questions to ask before signing a home health care agreement. - Is your service licensed and accredited? - How much do your services cost? - What is included and not included in your services? - How many days a week and hours a day will an aide come to my home? - How do you check the background and experience of your home health aides? - How do you train your home health aides? - What types of emergency care can you provide? - Who do I contact if there is a problem? Is your service licensed and accredited? How much do your services cost? What is included and not included in your services? How many days a week and hours a day will an aide come to my home? How do you check the background and experience of your home health aides? How do you train your home health aides? What types of emergency care can you provide? Who do I contact if there is a problem? For information about how to find home health care services, see Caring for a Person with Alzheimers Disease. Meal Services Meal services bring hot meals to the person's home or your home. The delivery staff does not feed the person. The person with Alzheimers disease must qualify for the service based on local guidelines. Some groups do not charge for their services. Others may charge a small fee. For information, call Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or go to www.eldercare.gov. You may also contact Meals on Wheels at 1-888-998-6325. Adult Day Care Services Adult day care services provide a safe environment, activities, and staff who take care of the person with Alzheimers at their own facility. This provides a much-needed break for you. Many programs provide transportation between the persons home and the facility. Adult day care services generally charge by the hour. Most insurance plans do not cover these costs. To find adult day care services in your area, contact the National Adult Day Services Association at 1-877-745-1440. Watch a video to learn more about the services provided at adult day care. Respite Services Respite services provide short stays, from a few days to a few weeks, in a nursing home or other place for the person with Alzheimers disease. This care allows you to get a break or go on a vacation. Respite services charge by the number of days or weeks that services are provided. Medicare or Medicaid may cover the cost of up to 5 days in a row of respite care in an inpatient facility. Most private insurance plans do not cover these costs. To find respite services in your community, call the National Respite Locator Service at 1-800-773-5433 (toll-free). Geriatric Care Managers Geriatric care managers visit your home to assess your needs and suggest and arrange home-care services. They charge by the hour. Most insurance plans don't cover these costs. To find a geriatric care manager, contact the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers at 1-520-881-8008. Mental Health Professionals and Social Workers Mental health professionals and social workers help you deal with any stress you may be feeling. They help you understand feelings, such as anger, sadness, or feeling out of control. They can also help you make plans for unexpected or sudden events. Mental health professionals charge by the hour. Medicare, Medicaid, and some private health insurance plans may cover some of these costs. Ask your health insurance plan which mental health counselors and services it covers. Then check with your doctor, local family service agencies, and community mental health agencies for referrals to counselors.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What is (are) Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Alzheimers disease is an illness of the brain. It causes large numbers of nerve cells in the brain to die. This affects a persons ability to remember things and think clearly. People with Alzheimers become forgetful and easily confused and may have a hard time concentrating. They may have trouble taking care of themselves and doing basic things like making meals, bathing, and getting dressed. Alzheimers varies from person to person. It can progress faster in some people than in others, and not everyone will have the same symptoms. In general, though, Alzheimers takes many years to develop, becoming increasingly severe over time. As the disease gets worse, people need more help. Eventually, they require total care. For a short overview of Alzheimers, see Understanding Alzheimers Disease: What You Need to Know.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What is (are) Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Alzheimers disease has three stages: early (also called mild), middle (moderate), and late (severe). Understanding these stages can help you care for your loved one and plan ahead. A person in the early stage of Alzheimers disease may find it hard to remember things, ask the same questions over and over, lose things, or have trouble handling money and paying bills. As Alzheimers disease progresses to the middle stage, memory loss and confusion grow worse, and people may have problems recognizing family and friends. Other symptoms at this stage may include difficulty learning new things and coping with new situations; trouble carrying out tasks that involve multiple steps, like getting dressed; forgetting the names of common things; and wandering away from home. As Alzheimers disease becomes more severe, people lose the ability to communicate. They may sleep more, lose weight, and have trouble swallowing. Often they are incontinentthey cannot control their bladder and/or bowels. Eventually, they need total care.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What are the treatments for Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Currently, no medication can cure Alzheimers disease, but four medicines are approved to treat the symptoms of the disease. - Aricept (donezepil)for all stages of Alzheimers - Exelon (rivastigmine)for mild to moderate Alzheimers - Razadyne (galantamine)--for mild to moderate Alzheimers - Namenda (memantine)for moderate to severe Alzheimers - Namzarec (memantine and donepezil)for moderate to severe Alzheimers Aricept (donezepil)for all stages of Alzheimers Exelon (rivastigmine)for mild to moderate Alzheimers Razadyne (galantamine)--for mild to moderate Alzheimers Namenda (memantine)for moderate to severe Alzheimers Namzarec (memantine and donepezil)for moderate to severe Alzheimers These medications can help slow down memory loss and allow people with Alzheimers to be more comfortable and independent for a longer time. If appropriate, the persons doctor may prescribe a medicine to treat behavior problems such as anxiety, depression, and aggression. Medicines to treat these behavior problems should be used only after other strategies have been tried. Talk with the doctor about which medicines are safest and most effective.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What is (are) Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Here are some ways you can learn more about Alzheimers disease. - Talk with a doctor or other healthcare provider who specializes in Alzheimers disease. - Check out books or videos about Alzheimers from the library. - Go to educational programs about the disease. - Visit the website of the National Institute on Aging's Alzheimer's Disease and Referral Center (ADEAR). - The National Institute on Aging has a book, Caring for a Person with Alzheimers Disease, that can be viewed and ordered at www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/caring-person-alzheimers-disease - Read about Alzheimer's disease on NIHSeniorHealth. Talk with a doctor or other healthcare provider who specializes in Alzheimers disease. Check out books or videos about Alzheimers from the library. Go to educational programs about the disease. Visit the website of the National Institute on Aging's Alzheimer's Disease and Referral Center (ADEAR). The National Institute on Aging has a book, Caring for a Person with Alzheimers Disease, that can be viewed and ordered at www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/caring-person-alzheimers-disease Read about Alzheimer's disease on NIHSeniorHealth.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: How to diagnose Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: When you learn that someone has Alzheimers disease, you may wonder when and how to tell your family and friends. You may be worried about how others will react to or treat the person. Others often sense that something is wrong before they are told. Alzheimers disease is hard to keep secret. When the time seems right, be honest with family, friends, and others. Use this as a chance to educate them about Alzheimers disease. You can share information to help them understand what you and the person with Alzheimers are going through. You can also tell them what they can do to help. Get more information about helping family and friends understand Alzheimer's disease.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What is (are) Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Eating healthy foods helps us stay well. It's even more important for people with Alzheimers disease. When a person with Alzheimer's lives with you -- - Buy healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products. Be sure to buy foods that the person likes and can eat. - Buy food that is easy to prepare, such as pre-made salads and single food portions. - Have someone else make meals if possible. - Use a service such as Meals on Wheels, which will bring meals right to your home. For more information, check your local phone book, or contact the Meals on Wheels organization at 1 (888) 998-6325. Buy healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products. Be sure to buy foods that the person likes and can eat. Buy food that is easy to prepare, such as pre-made salads and single food portions. Have someone else make meals if possible. Use a service such as Meals on Wheels, which will bring meals right to your home. For more information, check your local phone book, or contact the Meals on Wheels organization at 1 (888) 998-6325. (Watch the video to learn about simplifying mealtimes for a person with Alzheimer's. To enlarge the video, click the brackets in the lower right-hand corner. To reduce the video, press the Escape (Esc) button on your keyboard.) When a person with early-stage Alzheimers lives alone -- - Follow the steps above - Buy foods that the person doesn't need to cook. - Call to remind him or her to eat. Follow the steps above Buy foods that the person doesn't need to cook. Call to remind him or her to eat. In the early stage of Alzheimers disease, the person's eating habits usually don't change. When changes do occur, living alone may not be safe anymore. Look for these signs to see if living alone is no longer safe for the person with Alzheimers. - The person forgets to eat. - Food has burned because it was left on the stove. - The oven isn't turned off. The person forgets to eat. Food has burned because it was left on the stove. The oven isn't turned off.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What is (are) Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: To find out about residential care facilities in your area, talk with your support group members, social worker, doctor, family members, and friends. Also, check the following resources. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 1-877-486-2048 (toll-free TTY number) www.medicare.gov MS has a guide, Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long Term Care," to help older people and their caregivers choose a good nursing home. It describes types of long-term care, questions to ask the nursing home staff, and ways to pay for nursing home care. CMS also offers a service called Nursing Home Compare on its website. This service has information on nursing homes that are Medicare or Medicaid certified. These nursing homes provide skilled nursing care. Please note that there are many other places that provide different levels of health care and help with daily living. Many of these facilities are licensed only at the State level. CMS also has information about the rights of nursing home residents and their caregivers. Joint Commission One Renaissance Boulevard Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 1-630-792-5000 www.jointcommission.org The Joint Commission evaluates nursing homes, home health care providers, hospitals, and assisted living facilities to determine whether or not they meet professional standards of care. Consumers can learn more about the quality of health care facilities through their online service at www.qualitycheck.org. Other resources include - AARP 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) www.aarp.org/family/housing - Assisted Living Federation of America 1650 King Street, Suite 602 Alexandria, VA 22314 1-703-894-1805 www.alfa.org - National Center for Assisted Living 1201 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 1-202-842-4444 www.ncal.org AARP 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) www.aarp.org/family/housing Assisted Living Federation of America 1650 King Street, Suite 602 Alexandria, VA 22314 1-703-894-1805 www.alfa.org National Center for Assisted Living 1201 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 1-202-842-4444 www.ncal.org
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What to do for Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: As Alzheimers disease gets worse, you will need more help to care for the person. It's okay to seek help whenever you need it. Several kinds of help are available. - Home health care agencies send a home health aide or nurse to your home to help you care for a person with Alzheimers. They may come for a few hours or stay for 24 hours and are paid by the hour. Home health care agencies send a home health aide or nurse to your home to help you care for a person with Alzheimers. They may come for a few hours or stay for 24 hours and are paid by the hour. - Meal services bring hot meals to the person's home or your home. The delivery staff does not feed the person. Some groups do not charge for their services. Others may charge a small fee. Meal services bring hot meals to the person's home or your home. The delivery staff does not feed the person. Some groups do not charge for their services. Others may charge a small fee. - Adult day care services provide a safe environment, activities, and staff who take care of the person with Alzheimers at their own facility. Many programs provide transportation between the persons home and the facility. Watch a video to see what services adult day care provides. Adult day care services provide a safe environment, activities, and staff who take care of the person with Alzheimers at their own facility. Many programs provide transportation between the persons home and the facility. Watch a video to see what services adult day care provides. - Geriatric care managers visit your home to assess your needs and suggest and arrange home-care services. They charge by the hour. Most insurance plans don't cover these costs. Geriatric care managers visit your home to assess your needs and suggest and arrange home-care services. They charge by the hour. Most insurance plans don't cover these costs.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What is (are) Alzheimer's Caregiving ?
Answer: Everyone needs help at times. However, many caregivers find it hard to ask for help. They may feel they should be able to do everything themselves, or that it's not all right to leave the person in their care with someone else. Or maybe they cant afford to pay someone to watch the person for an hour or two. Family members, friends, and community resources can help caregivers of people with Alzheimers disease. Here are some tips about asking for help. - It's okay to ask for help from family, friends, and others. You don't have to do everything yourself. - Ask people to help out in specific ways, like making a meal, visiting the person, or taking the person out for a short time. - Call for help from home health care or adult day care services when needed. - Use national and local resources to find out how to pay for some of this help. It's okay to ask for help from family, friends, and others. You don't have to do everything yourself. Ask people to help out in specific ways, like making a meal, visiting the person, or taking the person out for a short time. Call for help from home health care or adult day care services when needed. Use national and local resources to find out how to pay for some of this help. To learn where to get help in your community, contact - The Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, 1-800-438-4380 or www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers - The Alzheimer's Association, 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org - The Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116 or www.eldercare.gov. The Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, 1-800-438-4380 or www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers The Alzheimer's Association, 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org The Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116 or www.eldercare.gov. You can also contact your local area agency on aging.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth