Posts Tagged ‘caregivers of alzheimer’s disease’
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it can impact the way a person communicates. And we all know that communication is vital in the caregiving process. Alzheimer’s makes it difficult to express our ideas, feelings, and wants. In order to maintain a quality life, this basic need must be met.
Each person with Alzheimer’s disease is unique, as are each person’s communication abilities and deficits. An individual with Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding the right words, may misunderstand statements that are made, may repeat the same words or statements, or may revert to speaking a native tongue. As the disease progresses, caregivers may also see the person relying more on gestures than words. For example, it may be easier to point to an object such as a cup of water, than to ask for a drink. She may pat the sides of her waist to indicate she needs to go to the bathroom. Some people may have trouble speaking in cohesive statements, often with the phrases sounding more like “word salad”, an incomprehensible mixture of words or phrases. Consequently, caregivers must learn to rely on gestures and other forms of nonverbal communication in order to understand what the person is trying to communicate.
Despite the fact that communication may become more challenging as the disease progresses, sensitive ongoing communication is important. Although the person with Alzheimer’s may not respond to each statement, she still benefits from continued communication.
Here are some tips to enhance communication:
• Approach from the front and never from behind.
• Get eye-level and at a comfortable distance (at least 2 feet from face)
• Identify yourself by name (and/or role) and what you are going to do for/with the person. Even if you have known the person for years, it is still important to identify yourself and the task.
• Call the person by his/her familiar name.
• Use short, simple, one step instructions
• Give the person plenty of time to respond to questions and statements
• Limit available choices to two (2) for the person to decide from ( i.e. the blue dress or the red dress, a brownie or ice cream)
• Don’t ask questions that rely on memory (remember when you ate eggs for breakfast last week?).
• Speak in a strong clear voice; don’t yell unless the person has a hearing impairment.
• Don’t talk down or childlike.
• Turn negatives into positives. Say “Let’s go here” instead of “Don’t go in there.”
• Turn questions into statement. Say “Let’s go eat” instead of “Are you ready for lunch?”
• Be aware of your tone of voice. Convey an easy going attitude.
• Approach from the front and never from behind.
• Use positive, friendly facial expressions, even if you’re doing a difficult task.
• Be aware of your stance – avoid standing with hands on the hip or crossed arms.
• Focus on feelings not on facts.
• Validate feelings and help put those feelings into words.
• Be patient, flexible and understanding.
• If you cannot understand her, tell her, “I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, and we’ll come back to that later.”
Good communication will bolster self worth, validate feelings, stimulate memories, and calm and reassure.
Tags: Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's support, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease
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Monday, June 21st, 2010
Need dementia care certification for your staff or yourself? We offer a great course which meets state requirements (for those states with requirements).
See the course info here.
Call (317) 218-5111 for more details!
Tags: Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's disease, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, Dementia, educated caregivers
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Friday, September 25th, 2009
A recent research study from Great Britain suggests that the use of antipsychotic drugs to manage difficult behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias may double the patient’s risk for death.
In 2005 the FDA issued a “black box” warning of all atypical antipsychotics used in those patients with dementia. The FDA initiated the warning after studies in the United States discovered a higher risk of sudden death in patients with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis after 180 days use of these medications. In 2008, this warning was extended to include first generation antipsychotics as well.
Most eldercare experts who specialize in the care of those with dementia agree that the use of antipsychotic medications is not necessary to manage difficult behavioral challenges in those with dementia. Many times these medications have a variety of side effects that cause additional concerns for caregivers. These medications may cause the person with dementia to become dozy, lethargic, and apathetic. When a person with dementia sleeps all day as a result of medication, caregivers may see him/her have difficulty sleeping at night. Caregivers often also find that the person with dementia may develop an unsteady gait and an increase in saliva which can cause difficulty in swallowing.
The key to managing difficult behaviors is in how the caregiver perceives the person with dementia. The caregiver must be able to separate the person from the disease and remember that all care performed is for a “person” and not a “disease.” All behaviors are a form of communication. Often when a person with dementia is becoming frustrated the first step to resolving this frustration is to find out what unmet need he/she may have. Ultimately all people yearn to be safe and to have their core psychological needs met.
Caregivers must provide a means to ensure that the person with dementia has a personally meaningful day and night. This means that throughout the course of the day he/she is engaged in activities or projects that are familiar, meaningful, and purposeful. For example, Helen’s caregiver knows that Helen is a mother of three children. Helen is pacing her home waiting for her “kids” to get home from school. Knowing that the children are now grown and will not be “walking through the door at 3:15pm” her caregiver has discovered that Helen’s afternoon routine was to make a snack for the children before they came home from school. Her caregiver sets up a snack for Helen to make and begins to validate her feelings of motherhood and her desire to keep her children safe. The caregiver also begins to reminisce during this time about her children and her routine as a mother. Through this process her “unmet” need is resolved and she now is feeling safe and content.
This is not a simple process that occurs quickly. To effectively communicate and reminisce with a person with dementia, a caregiver must have a good understanding of the life story of the person.
A stressed out caregiver may feel that antipsychotic medication is the best and only option; however, after weighing the side effects of this type of medication and researching other alternatives, they may find there are better, more effective, ways to help manage the stress of challenging behaviors. As these studies have shown, the risk of sudden death is high, and the improvement in the quality of life is not a guaranty.
For more information the alternative to antipsychotic medication to resolve challenging behaviors, please contact Alzheimer’s Care Group at 317-218-5111 or www.alzcaregroup.com or www.behomelivelife.com.
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's disease, antipsychotic medications, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, meaningful days, memory loss, mom with alzheimer's caregiver, nursing home ideas, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, person centered care
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
Resident to Resident Altercations
Resident to resident altercations can be a serious and difficult issue to face as a caregiver in a nursing home. Aggressive behaviors can be verbal (yelling, cursing, name calling) or physical (hitting, pushing). These events can occur without any provocation or because of a misinterpretation of facts or situations. Caregivers must be able to respond appropriately when one resident begins arguing or fighting with another resident.
No group of people living together will get along all of the time. Even the closest families will argue or become annoyed with one another. Residents living on an Alzheimer’s Care Center are confused due to the cognition loss that they are experiencing from the disease process. A roommate for example is a stranger, in most cases, that she has never met before. She is now sharing this space with someone who she is expected to trust automatically. If she is already experiencing paranoia then becoming accustomed to sharing her space may even be more of a challenge. When this is tied together with the fact that all of the residents are living with the same cognition loss and confusion about living in an unfamiliar place, the situation may be fertile for aggression.
Caregivers must approach the situation in a calm manor. Typically residents with dementia suffer from lability. They will mirror the emotions of those around them. If caregivers rush into a situation yelling, pushing, or threatening, the resident will become even more aggressive. Caregivers must try to identify the immediate cause of the agitation. What happened right before the incident occurred? What is occurring in the environment? Is it too loud? Caregivers should focus on feelings and not facts. Validate what the person is feeling and help put those feelings into words. “I understand you do not want Sally in your room. Tell me about this photo of your mother. Did you help her with the garden she is standing next to in this photo?” Once a caregiver has been able to put those feelings into words, then use redirection to help refocus the energy onto a new task.
The best way to eliminate resident to resident altercations is prevent them before they occur. Programming is the key to success with this goal. Caregivers should integrate as much of a resident’s past interests into her current daily schedule. This will not only help the resident to feel as though she has a purpose, it will also prevent boredom. The need for a purpose does not diminish as a person’s dementia progresses. In fact, staying focused with purpose is as important in the late stages of the disease process as in the early stage.
Caregivers need to remember the following important tips in dealing with resident to resident altercations:
· Never raise your voice to the residents fighting
· Focus on the feelings not on the facts
· Limit distractions during the incident
· Validate feelings and help put those feelings into words
· Shift focus onto another activity
· Prevent behaviors by developing a person centered daily purpose programming calendar.
For more information call 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com.
Tags: activity ideas, activity ideas for people with dementia or Alzheiemer's, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, antipsychotic medications, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, exercising your brain, meaningful days, people with dementia are not children, personally meaningful days
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Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
“How do I begin reminiscing with my residents on my Alzheimer’s Center?”
As Alzheimer’s progresses conversations can become more difficult. As a person with Alzheimer’s begins to notice gaps in his memory, or has trouble understanding questions, he will withdraw from social situations that may become uncomfortable. As the disease progresses, care givers must learn to rely on non-verbal body language in order to anticipate the needs and wants of their residents with dementia.
Try these tips to encourage conversations:
- Pick a topic of interest that you know your resident enjoyed during his 20’s-50’s – for example, fishing.
- Choose materials such as old photos of fish, free fishing guides available at most bait shops and a tackle box. These items can be used for cueing.
- Talk about the items:
- “Joe, look at this picture of you at Pike Lake. Do you remember what kind of fish you caught that day?”
- If Joe isn’t able to recall the answer right away, try saying: “It looks like a Northern Pike to me. It has sharp teeth, and I remember trying to catch one of those myself. It wasn’t easy.”
- Ask: “What fish was the most fun to catch? Did you like Largemouth Bass or Bluegill for eating? What is the best bait to use to catch Catfish?”
- If answering questions is difficult when you first begin the conversation, try going through all of the photos and narrating what happened in each one.
- Once you’ve gone through the photos, try asking the questions again. If you know the answers to the questions, use a picture to cue your dad to the correct answer. For example: “Joe, which fish do you think has the best flavor?” (Show a picture of a Bluegill or which ever fish you know he prefers.)
- You may use the tackle box in an additional way to guide the conversation. By touching each of the items in the box, your resident will be using his sense of smell, touch, and vision to cue his memory.
Remember, the key to unlocking conversation is using tools to cue his memory. The more you remember about your residents and their past roles and hobbies, the more cueing you can offer.
For more information call 317-218-5113 or www.alzcaregroup.com
Tags: alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, meaningful days, memory care, people with dementia are not children, person centered care, personally meaningful days
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Monday, April 13th, 2009
CALL TO ACTION
I received this information today in the Alzheimer’s Association’s ENewsletter. Please join all caregivers to make a difference in the lives of those who are battling this difficult disease.
Advocate Impact: Forum 2009
Last month, over 600 advocates from around the country marched on Capitol Hill to demand that our lawmakers make Alzheimer’s a national priority.
During meetings with advocates, members of Congress made the following commitments:
188 indicated support to end the two-year waiting period for Medicare;
181 indicated support for a $250 million increase in Alzheimer research funding; and
83 indicated support the creation of an Alzheimer’s Solutions Project Office.
65 members indicated support for all 3 issues!
You can catch a glimpse of the action at: http://www.alz.org/forum
We have great momentum and now is the time to “seal the deal”. Read on…
What Can I Do Now?
Ask your members to co-sponsor the End the Medicare Two-year Wait Bill!
People under age 65 with dementia who lose their jobs are likely to lose job-related health insurance. Many become uninsured and uninsurable. Just when they need coverage the most, federal law requires them to wait two years to become eligible for Medicare. Because of this wait, families face soaring out-of-pocket costs for health care or completely forego care. http://alz.kintera.org/endthewait
Email your members of Congress now. Ask them to co-sponsor the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S.700 / H.R.1708).
Go to:
For more information on how you can impact the lives of those with Alzheimer’s contact www.alzcaregroup.com or 317-218-5113
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's center, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, alzheimer's support, Call to Action, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cognition, congress, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, Disease, educated caregivers, Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, Katrina DeGraff, meaningful days, mom with alzheimer's caregiver, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, person centered care, personally meaningful days, relief
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
Approach and Communication
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses it can impact the way a person may communicate. Communication is vital in the care giving process. It is the way we express our ideas, feelings, and wants. In order to maintain a quality life, this basic need must be met.
An individual with Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding the right words, may misunderstand statements that are made, may repeat the same words or statements, or may revert to speaking a native tongue. As the disease progress, caregivers may also see the person relying more on gestures than words. For example, it may be easier to point to an object such as a cup of water, than to ask for a drink. She may pat the sides of her waist to indicate she needs to go to the bathroom. Some people may have trouble speaking in coherent statements where the phrases sound more like “word salad.” Word salad is an incomprehensible mixture of incoherent words or phrases. Caregivers must rely on gestures and other forms of nonverbal communication in order to understand what the person is trying to communicate.
Despite the fact that communication may become more challenging as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, sensitive ongoing communication is important. Although the person with Alzheimer’s may not respond to each statement, she still benefits from continued communication.
Tips to enhance communication:
· Identify yourself by name and what you are going to do for/with the person. Even if you have known the person for years, it is still important to identify yourself and the task.
· Call the person by his/her familiar name.
· Use short, simple, one step instructions
· Give the person plenty of time to respond to questions and statements
· Limit available choices to two (2) for the person to decide from ( i.e. the blue dress or the red dress, a brownie or ice cream)
· Don’t ask questions that rely on memory (remember when you ate eggs for breakfast last week?).
· Speak in a strong clear voice; don’t yell unless the person has a hearing impairment.
· Don’t talk down or childlike.
· Turn negatives into positives. Say “Let’s go here” instead of “Don’t go in there.”
· Turn questions into statement. Say “Let’s go eat” instead of “Are you ready for lunch?”
· Be aware of your tone of voice. Convey an easy going attitude.
· Approach from the front and never from behind.
· Use positive, friendly facial expressions.
· Be aware of your stance – avoid standing with hands on the hip or crossed arms.
· Focus on feelings not on facts.
· Validate feelings and help put those feelings into words.
· Be patient, flexible and understanding.
Good communication will bolster self worth, validate feelings, stimulate memories, and calm and reassure.
Tags: Alzheimer's, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's center, Alzheimer's Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, alzheimer's support, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, educated caregivers, exercising your brain, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, Living at home longer, meaningful days, memory loss, mom with alzheimer's caregiver, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, personally meaningful days
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Approach and Communication
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses it can impact the way a person may communicate. Communication is vital in the care giving process. It is the way we express our ideas, feelings, and wants. In order to maintain a quality life, this basic need must be met.
An individual with Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding the right words, may misunderstand statements that are made, may repeat the same words or statements, or may revert to speaking a native tongue. As the disease progress, caregivers may also see the person relying more on gestures than words. For example, it may be easier to point to an object such as a cup of water, than to ask for a drink. She may pat the sides of her waist to indicate she needs to go to the bathroom. Some people may have trouble speaking in coherent statements where the phrases sound more like “word salad.” Word salad is an incomprehensible mixture of incoherent words or phrases. Caregivers must rely on gestures and other forms of nonverbal communication in order to understand what the person is trying to communicate.
Despite the fact that communication may become more challenging as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, sensitive ongoing communication is important. Although the person with Alzheimer’s may not respond to each statement, she still benefits from continued communication.
Tips to enhance communication:
· Identify yourself by name and what you are going to do for/with the person. Even if you have known the person for years, it is still important to identify yourself and the task.
· Call the person by his/her familiar name.
· Use short, simple, one step instructions
· Give the person plenty of time to respond to questions and statements
· Limit available choices to two (2) for the person to decide from ( i.e. the blue dress or the red dress, a brownie or ice cream)
· Don’t ask questions that rely on memory (remember when you ate eggs for breakfast last week?).
· Speak in a strong clear voice; don’t yell unless the person has a hearing impairment.
· Don’t talk down or childlike.
· Turn negatives into positives. Say “Let’s go here” instead of “Don’t go in there.”
· Turn questions into statement. Say “Let’s go eat” instead of “Are you ready for lunch?”
· Be aware of your tone of voice. Convey an easy going attitude.
· Approach from the front and never from behind.
· Use positive, friendly facial expressions.
· Be aware of your stance – avoid standing with hands on the hip or crossed arms.
· Focus on feelings not on facts.
· Validate feelings and help put those feelings into words.
· Be patient, flexible and understanding.
Good communication will bolster self worth, validate feelings, stimulate memories, and calm and reassure.
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's center, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, alzheimer's support, care giver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, educated caregivers, exercising your brain, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, improving memory, Katrina DeGraff, Living at home longer, meaningful days, memory care, mom with alzheimer's caregiver, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, personally meaningful days
Posted in Alzheimer's Education | No Comments »
Monday, March 30th, 2009
This week in the news, the Alzheimer’s Association released its Facts and Figures 2009. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 5.3 Million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and the direct and indirect cost to the nation is $148 billion dollars annually. Additionally, Newt Gingrich presented The National Alzheimer’s Strategic Plan for improving the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia to Congress.
What are you going to do to make a difference in the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers?
So often we become stuck in the mindset that people with dementia have no hope. The media often reports the stories of heart ache and despair, but we never hear the heroic stories of people making a difference for others being afflicted with this devastating disease.
Who are those heroes?
· Families who continue to make life the life of the loved one valuable even when that means adapting past interests to current abilities
· Families who continue to visit their loved one even when it appears she doesn’t remember them any longer
· Family members who regularly rotate care and responsibility to ensure the primary caregiver receives some respite
· Caregivers in long term care who engage their residents in dementia with personally meaningful activities
· Caregivers who provide care despite Congress cutting Medicare/Medicaid benefits
· Owners of nursing homes who put Person Centered Care before the dollar
· Innovators who continue to find new ways to bring quality of life to some who can no longer remember
Are you making a difference? Do you know where to begin?
For more information: Call 317-218-5111 or www.alzcaregroup.com
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, alzheimer's support, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cognition, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, Disease, educated caregivers, exercising your brain, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, improving memory, Katrina DeGraff, Living at home longer, meaningful days, memory loss, mom with alzheimer's caregiver, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, personally meaningful days
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Spring is just around the corner! I’m ready for the end of cold weather, snow, and wind. This is the perfect time to start your gardening projects for your residents. Growing food that you later eat can be a rich and satisfying experience. Gardening is a familiar activity many residents enjoy and take pride in doing. And adding fresh vegetables to a meal promotes good health.
The purpose of this activity is to provide residents with an opportunity to perform a past skill or responsibility and to stimulate reminiscence and socialization.
Materials: egg carton, garden gloves, seeds, dirt, watering can, spray bottle, cookie sheet
Set-up
Find an indoor space with good lighting for seedlings and create an outdoor space for gardening.
Process
Getting Started
- Decide what you will grow. Ask the residents to help you choose what to plant. Take time to reminisce and ask questions like,
- What vegetables did you grow from seeds?
- Where did you get your seeds?
- What vegetables did you grow from plants?
- What type of container did you start your plants in?
Seedlings
- Ask families to donate seeds or buy them at a nursery.
- Start seedlings at the beginning of spring.
- Give each resident an egg carton. Next, tell them to punch a couple of small holes in the bottom for draining.
- Direct the residents to fill each egg holder halfway with dirt. Next, tell them to add one seed to each egg holder. Then, tell them to cover the seeds with dirt.
- Give the first resident the spray bottle filled with water. Next, direct the residents to spray water on top of each egg holder.
- Place the egg cartons on the cookie sheet to catch any water that may drain out. Next, follow the directions on the seed package to (1) decide where to put the cartons so the seeds will grow and (2) find out how often to water them. Then, remind the residents in the coming weeks to water the seeds according to the directions.
- Consider asking questions from Garden Trivia
Copyright 2008 Alzheimer’s Care Group
For more information: www.alzcaregroup.com
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's center, Alzheimer's Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, caffeine, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cognition, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, Disease, educated caregivers, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, improving memory, Katrina DeGraff, Katrina's Korner, nursing home ideas, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, person centered care, personally meaningful days
Posted in Katrina's Korner | No Comments »