November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – TOLEDO, Ohio, Nov. 5, 2010 –Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers. For the family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s, even routine daily events, such as hearing or seeing evening newscasts, can be truly terrifying. As a result, one of the greatest challenges for the caregiver is creating an environment for the loved one which is as safe and nurturing as possible.
With children, the term is “childproofing.” For those with Alzheimer’s disease, there is no similar term, but the concept is the same. Many things around the home that pose no danger to people in full possession of their mental faculties can be major hazards for people with Alzheimer’s. And even though it is impossible to make any home absolutely safe for a person with the disease, there are many steps you can take to reduce the risk of your loved one getting into things he/she shouldn’t, or reduce the risk of injury.
Tips to make your home safe and comfortable
— Limit distractions and control noise.
— Play radios softly, and turn the telephone ringer on low. You may want
to consider removing telephones and televisions out of the individual’s
room.
— If your loved one watches TV, choose humorous or happy sitcoms, game
shows and musical shows. These types of shows can make the individual
laugh and/or stimulate positive memories.
Maintain consistency and organization
— Don’t rearrange rooms. Instead, maintain consistency by keeping
furniture in the same place. Keep the individual’s bedroom and living
areas well-organized and keep pathways clear. Remember, sparse is
better than cluttered. The less there is to trip over or break, the
better. In addition, clutter may confuse or upset people with
Alzheimer’s disease. Move decorative knickknacks out of harm’s way,
secure them or eliminate them. Encourage recreational activities.
— Encourage activities that are success-oriented and that make the
individual feel productive. Many individuals with Alzheimer’s enjoy
outdoor activities.
— Encourage walking or gardening if your home has a safe, enclosed yard.
But, make sure that the yard is free of toxic plants and that your loved
one uses safe gardening tools (nothing sharp). When the individual is
unsupervised, you should avoid activities that involve sharp or hot
objects, such as knitting or cooking.
Lock up hazardous materials
— Keep all medicines, cleaning products and sharp utensils up or out of
reach.
— Consider wiring the stove, thermostat and hot water heater with hidden
switches or controls.
— Lower the temperature on your water heater to avoid scalding, as
accidental scaldings are common among people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Don’t forget, everyone needs a little TLC
— With all the responsibilities and problems involved in caring for people
with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s easy to forget how important a loving
touch can be. A pat on the back, back rubs, foot massages, hugging or
holding hands are calming, and they communicate love and safety in a way
everyone can understand. Several studies show that massage exerts a
calming influence and minimizes behavior problems in Alzheimer’s care.
Arden Courts offers a library of free resources to patients and their families. To receive a free copy of the brochure “How to Choose an Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Program,” a copy of the book “Moving a Loved One with Memory Loss,” a copy of our home safety brochure and/or for other educational materials concerning older adults, please call 800-800-CARE or the Arden Courts facility nearest you. For more information,go to: www.arden-courts.com.
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