Signs of Middle Stage dementia

Does Alzheimer’s Dementia Cause Hoarding?

Does Alzheimer’s dementia Cause Hoarding?

That’s what one of our readers asked recently. Their Dad has begun to save all sorts of things; plastic tubs, vegetable cans, and plain old nails. Cans and cans full of nails.

While I’m not certain what causes all of his hoarding, we have to remember that as the person with Alzheimer’s or dementia is losing short-term memory first. As this happens, their long term memory may become more vivid. During later stages of dementia, the person is not thinking as you or I would. Since the person with dementia is usually elderly, they may be remembering the poverty of the Great Depression, or at least the admonition of their parents; “be frugal and conservative, pinch every penny you can.”

When Mom could still shop for her own groceries, she would stalk the soft drink aisle in Safeway for 10 minutes to find the fullest bottle of Pepsi. Often she’d move a bottle from shelf to basket only to put it back and pick another instead. She wanted the best bargain for her money. On the other hand, a distant relative raided her bank account for thousands of dollars and she never had a clue.

If you haven’t already read it, I have written an article about Mom’s hoarding Cottage Cheese cartons. Actually, she was hoarding without knowing she was hoarding.

If this behavior isn’t causing issues, I say let them do it. If it takes up too much space in the home or has become a health issue, find a reasonable compromise. For my Mom I designated one small cabinet in the kitchen for her own use. Occasionally she’d forget, but if I saw her heading for her bedroom with a newly saved “find,” all I had to do was remind her of her own private cabinet.

We agreed when it was full, she would throw a few things away…and she did. This little cabinet stored; McDonald’s cups, plates and straws. (All washed clean by Mom) egg crates, plastic grocery bags, and any other empty containers I hadn’t thrown away before she spied them. That was a challenge for sure.

I’ve often wondered if I had noticed this frugal hobby sooner in Mom’s dementia, I might have swayed her toward hoarding a single, small item. Something like toothpicks. But it was too late, Mom was already saving everything–

Always remember to: Pick Your Battles
Don’t allow a little hoarding to ruin your day. Compromise and find a solution that works.
—————

If you’ve found an answer for this common complaint–Leave a Comment Below! What works for you, may work for others…please share!

———————————————————————–

Managing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors: Common Sense CaregivingMore info DEMENTIA: Early Diagnosis & TreatmentsMore info Caregiver Survival 101: Strategies to Manage Problematic BehaviorsMore info Dementia BehaviorsMore info

——————————————————–

Alcoholic Dementia Symptoms : Yes, there is an Alcoholic Dementia

02/181 Comment

Alcoholic Dementia Symptoms

Most of us know there can be many reasons for Dementia, including; Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Front temporal Dementia and Parkinson’s.

What comes as a surprise to many is that heavy drinking for an extended period of time can also result in Alcoholic dementia Symptoms.

Alcoholic Dementia Symptoms occur after a drinker has been drinking heavily for at least 20 years or longer. Also called Korsakoff’s syndrome, this disease most often occurs because of the misuse of drinking alcohol. Yet, it can be induced by other diseases such AIDS, chronic infections, poor nutrition and certain other conditions. These behaviors cause a lack of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) and cause Korsakoff Syndrome.

Constant drinking of alcoholic beverages rid the body of thiamine (vitamin B1). This deficiency causes damage to the medial thalamus and possibly to the mammillary bodies of the hypothalamus as well as generalized cerebral atrophy.

What this means is that the person who becomes deficient in Thiamine over a long period of years will have retrograde amnesia, severe memory loss.

A Few of the Early Symptoms of Korsakoff’s syndrome:

Just as with other forms of dementia, when the memory is lacking and, in an attempt to “fit in,” the person with memory loss will make up stories to fill the gaps and compensate for his failing memory. This is known as “Confabulation.”

Because the person is able to conceal his memory loss and works well in a social environment, people with Alcoholic Dementia Symptoms rarely get an early diagnosis. Instead they progress from mild to moderate stages of their disease without getting a diagnosis or beginning any sort of medical regimen to improve their circumstances.

While a feature of Alzheimer’s Disease is the loss of the ability to learn new things or retain new information, for the person with Alcoholic Dementia Symptoms these issues are especially severe.

Treatment:
The best thing to do is to stop drinking. But that isn’t always easy for the long-term alcoholic. If they are a daily drinker, they should not attempt to stop drinking on their own but seek medical attention. There can be severe side affects to withdrawing from alcohol abruptly.

If the person with Alcoholic Dementia Symptoms stops drinking the dementia will NOT get worse–unless there is also another underlying dementia such as Alzheimer’s or Vascular dementia.

If the person can remain without alcohol for a year, you may see some improvement in overall functioning. But it is unlikely that they will return to a prior level of functioning.

Are you coping with this issue? What do you think?
Have you seen signs of Dementia in someone you love?

Read the First Chapter “Free” Below

“Understanding and Defeating Alcoholism”

—————————————————————————————————————

——————————————————————————————————

The Smart Phone App for early Memory Loss

01/21Leave a Comment

The Smart Phone App for Early Memory loss

In the future, I hope there will be more tools for memory loss created for those with early stage Alzheimer’s dementia. This Smart Phone APP for Android, was created with the Early stage Alzheimer’s or Dementia patient in mind.

If the person becomes confused or disoriented, the mere push of a button on the phone can bring up a map with his exact location displayed, from that display they may call for medical help and send his information directly to health-care professionals, should the need arise.

It’s wonderful to see developers creating breakthrough products for Smartphones that can actually impact the lives of those living with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia and offer more independence for them while still in the early stages.

Often the person with Early stage Alzheimer’s only needs a reminder or nudge to remember where he is and where he was going. Occasionally, the memory lapse is only a blank spot for a moment which is soon recovered. This app offers the assistance needed with a push of a button and the location map.

But it goes further–If the nudge doesn’t work and the person is still confused, he can also request help with a single button which will pull up visual photos and phone number for 2 family members. One push and they are reached for more help, if needed.

With their own Smart Phone Android and the Tell My Geo App, they can track the person with memory loss and find his exact location also.

Also included with the App will be a decal applied to the back of the phone; with identifying and medical information such as would be included on an ID bracelet. But medical information on the back of the phone is not the only medical assist received.

Ordinarily, you would not want all your vital health information on a small device in your hand, but in this case you surely would.

The Android App “Tell My Geo” not only has a phone number to call for help, this app for the Android has a comprehensive medical information component built in to it, containing a much more detailed storehouse of vital medical-related data and other information, as well as the built-in ability to forward that information to health support and/or emergency services personnel. The information stored (and updated) by and through the app, includes the app user’s medical diagnosis, allergies, blood type, medical history, doctor and emergency contact information.

And with the push of a button the patient can send his information directly to healthcare professionals, should the need arise. I was pretty excited when I saw this App and it’s abilities. Usually, developers are trying for bling or fun with new Smartphone apps, but this one is different. And, I’m sure anyone with Early stage Alzheimer’s will be as delighted as I was to find this product. Anything that allows the person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia to retain their independence is a PLUS!

The app does require at least two phones, though, one for the person being looked after, the other for the person doing the looking. One adhesive decal is supposed to be placed on the back of the phone being tracked, and a second on the rear window of the car of the person being tracked.

————————————————————————————————————–

The Tell My GEO app is $9.95 per month
Tell My Geo™ Features Include the Following:

• Tell My Geo™ can actually locate or track an Alzheimer’s patient or any other adult or child (the “Cared-For” user) with the touch of a single button on the Care Provider’s Smart phone for ultimate convenience.

• Messages can be sent to the Cared-For’s phone using a special code that is picked up and responded to, thereby delivering the exact location of the Cared-For.

• The Cared-For’s phone has special, easy to read “Where Am I?”, “Send Location”, “Call For Help” buttons that are made particularly accessible for the Cared-For user.

• The Cared-For’s phone can be set to send regular updates on their physical location at periodic intervals — or more often if necessary — revealing exactly where their Cared-For is on a 15 minute, 30 minute, or hourly basis.

• The prominently displayed “Where Am I?” button gives the Cared-For user immediate information and an invaluable daytime satellite map, along with an image of their current location.

• The “Call For Help” button takes away the complexity and related anxiety that may be experienced by the Cared-For user from trying to dial a 10 digit phone number during a period of forgetfulness or panic. One easy click displays the Cared-For’s two Nearest Relatives (name and photo), and with one more click on the name or photo, the phone will dial these numbers without any additional action on the part of the Cared-For’s user.

• Critical medical information is stored in the phone and accessible by emergency personnel at a single click, and is editable by authorized care providers at www.tellmygeo.com

• In the event of an emergency, the Cared-For user’s medical history and detailed, critical information can be forwarded to a hospital or healthcare provider with the simple touch of a button, saving time and delivering more accurate, updated and timely information relating to prior diagnoses, allergies, and medicines taking etc..

• The app is available additionally in a specially skinned version for the Visually Impaired (macular degeneration, color blindness, disambiguation, etc.)

• Tell My Geo™ is available in English as well as Spanish

And works with Smart Phones

——————————————————————————————————–

Nokia Lumia 520 GoPhone (AT&T)More info Samsung Galaxy S DuosMore info Amazon Fire Phone, 32GB (AT&T)More info Apple iPhone 4 16GB (Black) – CDMA VerizonMore info

————————————————————————————————

4 Easy Ways to Help the person with Alzheimer’s Dementia Get Dressed

01/125 Comments

How to dress the person with Memory issues

Don’t Rush – Keep things calm. The less stress the better.

If you are in a hurry and issue a long list of things the person with dementia must do to get dressed; change your shirt, put on clean socks, be certain to get your best shoes, etc.

You can forget it!

They will sit on the side of the bed and do nothing. The person with dementia will have forgotten the instructions by the time you’re finished speaking.

Or, if you give a general order without specifics: “You need to get dressed this morning we’re going to the doctor,” the person with middle stage Alzheimer’s dementia may have no idea what you want him to do.

Use short, simple sentences and allow the person time to respond.

Speak slowly and suggest one article of clothing at a time. A task that seems simple to you can be quite complicated for the person with dementia. If the person’s response seems slow, do not rush to take over the task and dress him yourself. This will only embarrass a loved one or the person you are trying to help and serve to make him feel like a child. Allow the person time to think about your words and then respond.

Offer assistance if it appears they do not remember how to complete the task.

It is not unusual for someone with middle stage Alzheimer’s to forget how to fasten a button, close a zipper, etc. If their response to your order is a look of confusion, you might expect that they’ve forgotten how to complete the task. Don’t insist that they remember, “You remember how to do it, you did it before……..” In all likelihood they don’t remember. And saying they Should remember only serves to make the patient feel inadequate and agitated.

Purchase easy to manage clothing.

Velcro closures are better than shoe strings, snaps, buttons, and even zippers. You can substitute velcro for almost any fastener. Purchase clothing that closes in the front, buy pull-on pants and shirts. Purchase slip-on shoes or those with velcro closures. Trying to tie a shoe can be a daunting task for someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Remember that Alzheimer’s and Dementia is a progressive disease; they may be able to button their shirt today, but not tomorrow. Try to be kind and generous with your time. I remember that it isn’t always easy to be even tempered.

Helping my mom get dressed was one of the most frustrating things I did all day. And, I must admit–I allowed her to wear the same clothing for a couple days more than once. Sometimes you have to “choose your battles.” If Mom and I were both out of patience–changing clothes could wait for another day.

Be good to your patient–and be good to yourself, too
——————————————————————————————–

Skechers Men’s Energy Fix Up Oxford,White Navy,9 M USCheck Price Grasshoppers Women’s Highview Slip-On Loafer,Stone Canvas,7 S USCheck Price Hush Puppies Men’s Gil Slip-On,Tan,9.5 WW USCheck Price Non Skid/Slip Socks – Hospital Socks – Slipper Socks for Women and MenCheck Price Sleepwear – Ladies Adaptive Clothes Open Back Flannelette Nursing Home NightgownCheck Price Mens Full Elastic Waist Pull-On Pants-Velcro Fly (S (30Check Price Alfred Dunner Classics Petite Elastic Waist Pants Black 14p MCheck Price

——————————————————————————————–

Sometimes folks with dementia have other issues with clothing and bathing. Many folks are unable to clean their backs or feet properly. There are handy devices for many of the physical clothing and hygiene issues we do every day. Below are a few items that may make your loved ones life a little easier.

Nifty Nabber Pick-Up Tool SOCK AID Pull on Socks Bottom Buddy Toilet Tissue Aid Foot Cleaning Brush Exfoliating Loofah Back Scrubber for Shower for Men and Women Shower Foot Scrubber – Shower Foot Scrubber

———————————————————————

BEST Non Slip Skid Yoga Pilates Socks with Grips Cotton for Women Pack of 4

I can’t say enough about non-skid socks. I’ve been in the hospital myself a couple times with COPD. The first time I came home with the no-skid socks, I was sock shopping the next week for more.

As we age, or have an illness or hospital stay, our muscles become weaker. Hence, we often find it a little more difficult to keep our balance.

If we accidentally slip or slide, it isn’t always easy to catch ourselves and prevent a bad fall or keep our balance. The no-skid socks are a great help.

They give you that extra second you need to catch yourself and regain your balance.

Non Skid Socks – Hospital Socks –Luvable Friends Kickproof Non-Skid Sakkas Super Soft Anti-Slip Fuzzy Slipper Non Slip Skid Yoga Socks for Women Pack of 4 Womens Noble Mount Soft Anti-Skid Fuzzy Mens Warm Slipper Socks with Rubber Non Slip Silicone Dot Cotton Non Slip Winter Yoga Socks Thick Knit Slipper Socks Striped Non-skid

———————————————————————————-

Alzheimers and Dementia can Cause Sundowners and Frightening Nights

01/078 Comments

Alzheimer’s and Dementia can Cause Sundowners and Frightening Nights

If you have a family member with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, you have probably experienced

==> some nights that are more than fitful <==

Severe mood swings can occur during the evening hours that are often referred to as Sundowning or Sundowners. My Mom would often awake from a sound sleep, crying and moaning as though she’d suffered a horrible trauma.

Bouts with Sundowners or Sundowning seem to spin the patient into a torrent of intense feelings of agony where they often groan and wail, longing for their mother or father or the “home” of their childhood.

My Mom would cry-out for her own mother and demand that they come and get her. She would beg to go home, as though I was holding her hostage. Mom’s weeping and wailing would be inconsolable no matter how much I tried to soothe her. She would be agitated and anxious and cry for long hours while I could only stand by and watch her emotional pain.

==> These behaviors can be quite confusing if you have never lived with someone who has demenia <==

In the beginning, I was baffled and tried to help Mom sleep by saying soft, soothing words as the moaning began. But as the moods grew worse and occurred again and again, I took a more aggressive view of these fitful nights and made a more concentrated effort to slow their occurrence.

==> A few resolutions <==

~One way I found to insure that Mom had more peaceful nights was to make certain her evening hours before bedtime were more harmonious. I always tried to coax Mom into some light, physical activity in late afternoon. Mom loved to sweep the porch or rake the yard. She’d always been an “outside” person, so this was a treat for her. It doesn’t have to be anything strenuous, but enough activity to make rest and sleep a welcome end to a long day.

~I tried to make certain Mom never went to bed hungry or thirsty, offering a glass of water or juice shortly before bed time. On the other hand, she wouldn’t go to bed immediately after a meal, either. In fact, we tried to have dinner a little earlier than most, since a person with later stage Alzheimer’s can be confused by something as slight as indigestion.

~When Mom lived with us, we had “lazy time” in early evening. A couple hours before bedtime, everyone in the house settled down to the television, a movie, music or a book. Mom had a large recliner and she’d kick-back with the rest of us. Once the bouts with Sundowners began, I extended her “lazy time,” having her settle-down and rest several hours before bedtime.

==>The person effected by Sundowners seldom remembers what they’ve endured during the night.

And it could be quite frightening to tell them later <==

When the Sundowners symptoms occured, I never tried to argue or explain what was happening. In the beginning, I tried to soothe Mom but she always refused comfort. And most often, if I spoke or said anything during the fitful times, she didn’t appear to hear me or understand that I offered help.

So I made certain she was comfortable and offered her radio and head-set. Sometimes the music would circumvent the entire event and Mom would fall asleep, peacefully, before the Sundowning could occur. And on those nights we were happy that we all had a good and peaceful night’s sleep.

At this stage of Alzheimer’s, I think comfort and love is the most valuable thing a person can receive. Their mind is full of confusion and stress and worry. My goal when my Mom was in this late stage of Alzheimer’s was to give her as many calm and peaceful and comfortable days and nights as possible.

—————————————————————————————-

Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe G.G.Martinsen 16 GB Slim 1.78 Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Sleep Easy Sound Conditioner, White Noise Machine Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Tea Yogi Bedtime Tea Bigelow Sweet Dreams Herbal Tea Relaxing Blend