Alzheimer's disease or AD is a form of dementia in older adults with a prolonged onset of years and a progression of memory difficulties, leading to eventual total care. Once the person becomes disoriented, is in danger of wandering off or cannot take care of herself, close supervision and hands-on care are needed, or the person's life could be in danger by her own actions. Estimates by the National Institute on Aging suggest half of all those more than 85 years of age have AD. For many, the idea of institutional care is repugnant, especially for a family member. Alternative care plans must take the best interest of both the patient and care givers into account.
Preventive Care
While no on can say the exact cause or cure for AD, some preventive measures have shown promise in early research. The National Institutes of Health cites healthy lifestyles, diet and physical activities as all helping to delay the onset of AD in those who seem to show early symptoms. Keeping socially engaged and mentally active through reading, conversation, problem solving and game playing have all had good results in care facilities for the elderly.
Safe at Home
If family members decide to continue to care for a family member at home, the Alzheimer's Association suggests a number of ways to reduce dangers in the home.
Caregivers should have working fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors; lock or block dangerous areas, such as the garage or stairs; put locks in places that are hard to reach, such as up high or down low; remove locks from bathroom and bedroom doors; keep medications, household chemicals and knives locked and out of reach; use appliances with automatic shut-off features; and remove knobs from the cook stove when not in use.
Supported Home Care
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, most communities have access to structured, supervised day care facilities, in-home support services, short-term respite care volunteer support groups. If you have taken on the burden of caring for a family member with AD, you don't have to go it alone.
Private and Public Care
Choices in residential care facilities can range from private adult care homes with opulent settings to small homes converted from former single-family residences that may have a homey and restful atmosphere. If there is little in the way of private finances available, public options may have to be screened. A facility likely to have regular visits with the AD patient, which also has an active social and activity program, seems best fitted for the declining AD patient.
Tough Choices
Taking on the responsibilities of caring for an AD family member in the home may seem like a valuable choice and it can be for some families. But if the care of a family member with AD changes your regard for the relative or endangers his or your own health and safety, you should look into other care options. If others caring for the daily needs of your AD family member give you the breather needed to have a more positive relationship with that person, it may be worth the placement.
