Caregiving Considerations for Treating Patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are profoundly challenging conditions, both for those experiencing them and for the dedicated caregivers who provide support. These conditions are increasingly prevalent among individuals aged 65 and older in the United States. 

Whether are starting a nursing career or want to know more about the measures put in place for dementia care in senior living communities such as Balfour Senior Living in Louisville, gaining a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia is of utmost importance. By gaining more knowledge about dementia care, you will be better equipped to provide compassionate and high-quality care to your current and future patients in the senior living community.

Personal Care

Individuals experiencing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease may encounter challenges in maintaining their hygiene. These difficulties may stem from either forgetting the necessity of self-care or, in later stages, forgetting the proper procedures. Additionally, for some elderly individuals, tasks such as bathing or dressing can pose physical demands depending on their overall health.

When aiding with personal care and hygiene for these individuals, it is essential to recognize that they are not merely patients; they are unique individuals with distinct personal needs. Always approach them with kindness and respect for their autonomy. Offer choices and assist them in making decisions instead of making choices on their behalf.

Acknowledging the abrupt loss of privacy and independence that these patients experience can be challenging. It is crucial to show empathy toward their struggle during your interactions, even in situations that may be frustrating or demanding for you.

Pain Mitigation

Pain might not be the initial consideration when caring for individuals afflicted by dementia or Alzheimer’s, yet it is a frequent symptom among such patients. Evaluating the extent of pain experienced by patients can be challenging, especially when verbal communication becomes difficult, particularly in the later stages of the illness. Consequently, patients may endure varying degrees of pain without necessary relief.

To identify pain in nonverbal patients, read their body language and observe their facial expressions to notice when they’re in pain. By becoming familiar with an individual’s typical behaviors and their usual comfort level, it becomes easier to establish a baseline, enabling the recognition of the onset of pain and the implementation of appropriate interventions.

Falls

The risk of falling is a concern that affects all elderly individuals. Approximately one in four seniors experience a fall each year, according to the CDC. However, individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s are at an elevated risk of falling due to the potential impact of these conditions on their balance and spatial reasoning abilities. This heightened risk becomes especially worrisome if your patients possess additional factors that increase their susceptibility to falls, such as a history of previous falls or impaired mobility.

Here’s a list of things you can do to prevent falls:

• Improve lighting conditions to enhance visibility for patients.
• Offer supervision or assign a safety companion to assist patients during walking.
• Evaluate medications, particularly those that may induce dizziness in patients.
• Engage patients in activities to keep them occupied and reduce aimless wandering.
• Encourage safe physical activities to improve balance.
• Provide assistive devices like walkers or handrails when needed.
• Promote suitable clothing and footwear choices.
• Maintain unobstructed rooms and pathways to prevent tripping or stumbling.

Regardless of the setting in which you care for patients, prioritizing fall prevention is essential. While it is crucial to respond appropriately when falls occur, the primary emphasis should always be on trying to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Nutrition

Nutrition is an aspect often overlooked by individuals dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Initially, they might forget to engage in regular eating and drinking, or they may lose the ability to prepare meals. As their memory deteriorates further, patients might even struggle with fundamental aspects of eating. This might not only stem from memory loss but could also be influenced by medication or unrelated health conditions.

It remains crucial for patients to maintain a balanced diet. Some studies suggest that a nutritious diet could potentially delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Even when memory loss is already present, the right dietary choices may help slow its advancement or alleviate associated symptoms.

Various strategies can be employed to assist patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s in sustaining a healthy diet. The approach taken should be tailored to the specific difficulties the patient is facing. Whether it involves providing adaptive utensils to facilitate eating or implementing creative reminders for mealtimes, exploring diverse solutions is advisable. At Balfour Senior Living, our dieticians and physicians can recommend a suitable diet when it comes to the needs of patients with dementia. At our senior living communities in Louisville, we serve fresh, farm-to-table meals, providing our residents with the nutrition they require. 

Social Interactions

Individuals grappling with Alzheimer’s and dementia often encounter difficulties in engaging socially and managing social interactions. These conditions can trigger alterations in mood, behavior, and personality, including diminished inhibitions and feelings of apathy or melancholy. As the conditions progress, patients may even reach a point where they forget their loved ones or lose the ability to communicate and interact entirely.

Interacting with individuals afflicted by memory loss disorders can pose challenges, both for caregivers and loved ones. It is crucial to acquire effective communication skills specifically tailored to these circumstances. Patience is paramount as you adapt to navigating these interactions, and the more experience you gain, the smoother your interactions with all patients will become.

Despite the inherent difficulties, it is essential for patients to maintain their social connections. Social engagement not only potentially lowers the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s but is also believed to enhance the overall quality of life for those already diagnosed. Encourage your patients to preserve existing relationships with loved ones while also fostering new friendships and connections.

Wandering

Alzheimer’s and dementia often lead to confusion, impacting the capacity of patients to recall directions or navigate familiar surroundings. This confusion can arise from disorientation, stress, or the persistence of outdated routines, potentially resulting in patients wandering or becoming lost.

Wandering is not necessarily too dangerous, particularly when patients do so within the confines of a care community or their own residence. However, when patients venture beyond secure environments, wandering can introduce a range of health and safety hazards. Patients may be exposed to severe weather conditions, risk falls, encounter traffic-related dangers, or potentially face exploitation by unscrupulous individuals.

Preventing patient wandering is the optimal approach. Various precautions to consider include:

• Increasing supervision.
• Using door camouflage techniques.
• Ensuring patients carry some form of identification and emergency contact information in case of wandering.
• Installing safety mechanisms on doors and windows to discourage their use or restrict their opening.
• Utilizing a monitoring system or the GPS tracking feature on the patient’s smartphone.

Contact Balfour Senior Living to Learn More About Dementia Care in Louisville

Whether you’re interested in dementia care services for your loved one or you want to know more about starting a career in dementia care at our senior living community, Balfour Senior Living is here to answer all your questions. Reach out to us today to find out more about our dementia care community in Louisville.