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Caring for Someone with Cognitive Decline

Caring for a Person with dementia and Cognitive Decline

Caring for a relative who suffers from dementia poses significant challenges for the family. Alzheimer’s and other diseases related to cognitive decline or cognitive decline from simple aging is incurable. That being said, if you decide to become a caregiver for a loved one, you should be prepared to face difficulties along the way.

However, there are ways to make things better and you can start by improving your own communication skills. This will make the relationship with the patient more tolerable.

5 Difficulties you might struggle with along the way, and how to overcome them

1. Dealing with a bad mood
Body language and attitude communicate feelings and thoughts a lot stronger than actual words. It’s normal for patients struggling with dementia to get depressed every now and then.

As their caregiver, you have to be patient with them. Don’t get angry and try not to scream at them or lose your temper. Set up a positive, calm tone of voice and use your gestures to make them feel comfortable. Get their attention and limit noise and other distractions.

2. Communication issues

When caring for a patient with dementia, it’s normal to come across communication issues. At some point, your relative will start forgetting things, and as the condition advances, they may not remember your name and who you are. It’s very important to keep things simple and well-organized. Have pictures, paintings, or favorite possessions on display to make the patient feel safe and comfortable.

Your next step is to establish daily routines. Speak as calm as possible, stay calm and use simple words for your loved one to understand. If they misunderstand things, try not to argue with them and keep the tone of your voice down. Even if they don’t remember you, the fact that you’re calm will force their brain into believing everything is ok, and that they’re safe.

3. Physical disabilities
Most physical disabilities that happen in patients with dementia occur due to falling injuries or strokes.

The greater the severity of the problem, the tougher it is for the caregiver to look after their loved one. In order to avoid accidents, it’s best to make your home a safer place to live in.

For example, in the bathroom, you can have grab bars installed. You can also place a shower bench and include a rubber carpet too to avoid complicated injuries from falls. Avoid telling your parent that they’re not trying enough or that they could do better. This will only discourage them, and you certainly don’t want that happening because it will affect their mood.

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4. Dealing with boredom
It’s fundamental for a caregiver to understand that a patient struggling with dementia won’t be able to perform all the activities that they once performed. To them, life can get boring and empty, not to mention that depression might kick in as well.

In case of vision loss, they won’t be able to read anymore; and if they lose their mobility abilities, they won’t be able to move. The Caregiver should focus on providing auditory and visual stimulation. Find a way to make them happy and don’t bring to their attention that there’s something they can’t do. If they can’t see well, take them outside anyway to smell the fresh flowers and hear the birds sing.

If they can’t walk, turn to different types of activities such as playing games or reading. Whatever you do, make sure they feel valued and useful. This will keep them happy, entertained and engaged.

5. Confusion and anxiety
Last but not least, we have to emphasize that all patients with dementia struggle with confusion and anxiety. These are enhanced at night, so always make sure that they have the light on when they go to bed.

Furthermore, if they lose track of time or place, the first thing you need to do is remind them who they are and where they are. This will help them “return to reality” a lot faster. Once again, do it on a calm tone and if you notice that they’re saying incorrect things, change the subject. Find a way to build a pleasant dialogue; talk about interesting subjects and put a smile on their faces.

Author: Edward Francis and Foresthc.com!

Fish Aquarium Tanks and Alzheimer’s dementia

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Home Aquarium Fish Tanks and Alzheimer’s dementia

When I was much younger with young children of my own, I ran a daycare center for working Moms. One two-year-old little boy was particularly precocious and spent many long minutes in front of our home Aquarium fish tank.

If anything got spilled, broken or turned over– it was usually Jack who got the “time-out” which meant 4 minutes in front of our home fish aquarium.

He wasn’t a naughty boy but slow to talk, and even slower to accept the rules of the house.

Our large fish tank was filled with colorful fish and shells and air bubbles and lots of other activity most of the time. A few minutes in front of the Fish Tank was little punishment for the small children I babysat, yet it calmed them down and soothed their tears if they were upset.

So recently I was not surprised to learn that a Fish Aquarium can do the same for those with Alzheimer’s dementia.

Researchers at Purdue University have found that displaying tanks of brightly colored fish may curtail disruptive behaviors and improve eating habits of people with the disease of Alzheimer’s dementia.

Folks with Alzheimer’s react calmly to most house pets such as dogs or cats and now it seems that a fish aquarium can offer the same calming affect for those with Alzheimer’s dementia too.

If you have no time to care for a dog or cat or other pet, yet have someone with Alzheimer’s in your home, an aquarium with lots of fish and activity may be just what you need.

A fish aquarium is alive with color. Besides the fish, the decorations are colorful and offer a soothing affect as water flows and bubbles float. A beautiful fish tank with many colors and flora is as fascinating for adults as it is for children.

It can bring a sense of peace and quiet. It can calm an angry person to settle down and watch the quiet and peacefulness of life inside the aquarium.

A local nursing home that has a large aquarium for their residents says, “It gives the residents meaning and purpose on a daily basis.”

I remember my own Mom could sit and watch the fish for hours, usually laughing and smiling and talking to them.

If you have someone in your home with Alzheimer’s dementia who suffers from agitation and is difficult to calm, try adding a Fish aquarium to your home with a comfortable chair nearby.

My mom loved the fish aquarium and could watch it for hours, tapping the side and talking to the fish inside. It is an excellent way to end mood swings for the person with dementia.

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Aquariums come in all sizes. Extra large tanks, such as this one, which can be recessed into the wall and makes a stunning presentation for the gorgeous fish that are available nowadays.

Yet a moderate size fish tank is just as satisfying for the person with Alzheimer’s dementia.

The attraction is the fish and all the activity happening in the tank.

Yet a moderate size fish tank is just as satisfying for the person with Alzheimer’s dementia. Their fascination is with the fish and activity inside the tank.

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How to get Relief from Sundowners Syndrome

09/218 Comments

Sundowners Syndrome and Sleep

When my Mom had Alzheimer’s, Sundowners Syndrome could make bedtime a nightmare.

Late evening was a dreaded time for my Mom. Some evenings she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. But, more often than not she would begin to cry only hours before bed time.

A gentle weeping at first would turn into a very sad, groan then escalate to a loud sobbing wail that filled the house.

It didn’t happen every night, but it happened often enough to ask the doctor if there was something wrong and what on earth could I do.

Some antidepressants cause anxiety and irritation and keep them awake rather than help them to sleep. Mom seldom took more than a mild antidepressant at night as we hoped for a sound and restful sleep.

Despite all our efforts, several nights a week Sundowners Syndrome haunted Mom. Her wailing cry was unnerving. It almost sounded like someone in horrific emotional pain. If you’ve ever heard a mother weep from the death of a child, that is exactly how my Mom sounded on many nights. She wouldn’t walk or flail, but sit on the side of the bed and weep into the darkness.

Mom took a light medication to help her sleep, but remained alert during the day. Most often, she had really good days, it was only the evening hours that brought nightmares while she was wide awake.

A few things I did find to help during those Sundowners Syndrome Nights:

Keep the last meal of the day fairly early, usually before 5 pm
Take an afternoon walk, so Mom would be ready to settle down
No naps during the day, as that prevented sleep at night
For an hour or so before bed time, Mom would wind down from her daily activity
She’d be drowsy and perfectly happy to go to bed with a little warm milk

Sometimes these small activities would do the trick and she’d sleep soundly

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Though no one really knows for sure what causes it, Sundowners is common among those with dementia

Some behaviors during Sundowners include: shouting, wandering, expressing fear, sadness, crying and anxiety.

Since the cause of Sundowners is unknown, many think it might have something to do with the body’s natural cycle or Circadian Rhythms (natural sleep/wake cycle.) The longer they’ve had dementia, the deeper is their confusion. It seems to occur as they begin to sleep more and stay awake less.

A few other recommendations I’ve learned since my Mom passed away 7 years ago are:

Shadows seem to bring them a lot of fear, so try for a well lit atmosphere as much as possible
Make sure they get lots of exercise during the day, so sleep-time comes more naturally
Keep caffeinated beverages or foods to a minimum as they too can keep them awake
Playing soft music also helps them to stay asleep and if they need to get up for bathroom time in the middle of the night, be certain the bathroom is well-lit
Touch-base with their doctor. Let them know about the issue and ask for suggestions, perhaps a light sedative– or check on the medications they are already taking, could one of them be keeping them awake?

All the best to those caring for someone with Sundowners Syndrome. If you find something that helps or would like to share something you’ve learned, comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

Does Coconut Oil Help Alzheimer’s?

08/26Leave a Comment

Does Coconut Oil Help Alzheimer’s?

How can coconut oil help someone with Alzheimer’s? you might ask.

Is it possible for coconut oil to have some kind of effect against Alzheimer’s? According to officials from the Nutritional Magnesium Association, “yes, it could”.

Though Specialists argue that the benefits of coconut oil have been tried and tested since the ancient times, Various cultures worldwide have emphasized that coconut oil is an excellent anti-fungal treatment, skin softener, and hair strengthener.

Coconut oil is a medium-chain triglyceride, which means it could benefit people suffering from additional incurable diseases like ALS, Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s. The curative powers are probable though, and experts have been working with AIDS and HIV patients to prove its effectiveness.

In order to understand the way this oil acts (interacts) against Alzheimer’s, specialists must first assess its composition thoroughly; recent studies emphasize that there’s a link between diabetes, blood sugar levels and the brain.

The findings show that there’s a connection between dementia and diabetes. Glucose, in the form of sugar, is the most preferred type of fuel by the cells of the brain. Scans of the brain with patients suffering from Alzheimer’s show that as the condition advances, various brain sections begin to have issues using glucose (sugar) as energy.

This is similar to a diabetic’s main issue – unable to produce insulin. The results of various scientific studies on the topic highlighted that there’s a link between Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Apparently, some experts believe that the connection is too strong; as a result they would like to call Alzheimer’s “Type 3 diabetes”.

According the NIH (the National Institute of Health), diabetics who can’t control their blood sugar levels are at risk of experiencing cognitive impairment. Various Japanese researchers uncovered that diabetic people have an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. On the other side, those suffering from Alzheimer’s in mild stage have experienced minor memory boosts following an insulin shot.

Alzheimer’s, ketones and coconut oil

At a first glimpse you wouldn’t think that coconut oil has anything to do with Alzheimer’s. Those who believe in the power of this oil strongly believe that the disease traces to biological byproducts called “ketone bodies”. These serve as an alternative source of fuel for the brain, and they function when there’s no glucose available, or are not absorbed properly into the system.

Our bodies don’t produce a lot of ketone bodies, unless someone is adhering to a diet that’s extremely low in carbs. Including coconut oil could develop a temporary state called hyperketonemia (the process where someone’s ketone bodies are highly increased).

The potential benefits of coconut oil on Alzheimer’s Disease

Just because there’s no physical proof that coconut oil can fight off Alzheimer’s this doesn’t mean the oil isn’t efficient. As treatment against the disease, patients are advised to take coconut oil either liquid or in pill form. 3-4 tbs. per day should suffice. It can also be used in combination with food. For example, you could include coconut oil in a smoothies, oatmeal or yogurt.

Additionally, you could swap vegetable oil with coconut oil when having meat recipes for lunch or dinner.

Considering there are no clinical trials on the benefits of c o conut oil on Alzheimer’s, it is rather difficult to state whether or not it works. The good news is we’re talking about a type of oil that’s healthy. It doesn’t hurt to try!

Coconut oil is safe to consume and it is packed with a load of benefits. However it is fundamental to keep in mind that it is also a saturated fat that has not been approved by the FDA as treatment for a health condition or ailment.

Believe it or not, the news about the great effects of coconut oil is spreading incredibly fast. Since physicians have not been able to come up with a competent treatment for Alzheimer’s, several experts have been focusing on the potential benefits of coconut oil against this disease.

Nothing concrete has been revealed thus far, but there’s hope. According to official sources, drug companies such as Medivation and Pfizer admitted that they were developing a new drug against Alzheimer’s. It was called dimebon and it didn’t have any benefit.

Rather than spend loads of money on such expensive medication that doesn’t work, you should definitely take a moment to consider the alternatives.

Author Edward Francis and Supplemented.co.uk!

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Best Gifts for those with Alzheimer’s Dementia

08/179 Comments

Best Gifts for those with Alzheimer’s dementia

==> This article was written a couple years ago, but it is always in-demand this time of year. So I’ve spruced it up a little and here we have our favorite Holiday List <==

There are many gifts that make a person with Alzheimer’s dementia smile. But the Best gifts for those with Alzheimer’s dementia often depend on the individual personality.

My mom was easy to please when it came to gifts. If I gave her a stack of Oreo Cookies and a glass of milk, her eyes lit up like Christmas.

I don’t know about all folks who have dementia, but most that I’ve known are very affectionate, thankful and easy to please.

My Mom had many inhibitions about affection while my brothers and I were growing up. Hence, ours was not a very affectionate home. I knew my mother loved me, but she wasn’t a person to do a lot of hugging. Something that went far back into her own family roots, I suppose. Still, we always knew she loved us.

But some time during mid-stage Alzheimer’s Mom started hugging. It was almost like some buried inhibition had finally been forgotten and she was free to show the affection that she’d always felt. She did enough hugging and cheek-kissing during those last few years to make up for any lack of affection during the previous 60 years.

So buying gifts for my Mom was easy. She was a pleasant, happy person who loved to stay active. I think personality plays a big part in buying gifts for others, and that includes those with Alzheimer’s dementia.

Mom loved watching TV. She couldn’t follow the story-line of a movie, soap opera, or even half-hour drama. But she loved game shows. She would watch Television game shows all day long if I allowed it.

Some might think that is a lazy way to tend to someone with dementia, having them idly watch television for an hour or two. I’ve heard others say that Movie and TV shows, etc., might be too sedentary for the person with dementia. But–you didn’t know my Mom.

Bob Barker was Mom’s favorite. While she watched Bob Barker and (The Price is Right.) Mom giggled and laughed and clapped her hands. She popped up and down like a “jack in the box.” And Mom was on her feet as much as sitting while she applauded, hooted and squealed for every winner. Television game shows were no sedate activity for my MOM!

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Other folks may not care for Television and have much more fun with Puzzles and Beads and Blocks. Almost everyone I’ve known with dementia enjoys keeping their hands busy since the fingers have a tendency to “fidget” when not active.

Exactly the name for the quilt in their honor. Here, you can read more about The Fidget Quilt.

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When Mom finally went into a Group Home with 9 other ladies, I’m telling you, those women would fight over laundry. I’m not kidding. The Group Home was a regular style home renovated to serve the needs of all these sweet ladies. It was located in a residential neighborhood near my own home. So I was able to visit whenever I liked.

In the afternoons, the staff would do laundry and bring the heaping baskets filled with towels and sheets and other linens to the Television room. An uproar ensued at this time every day. “You got towels yesterday, it’s my turn.” “No, it’s my turn.” “I don’t want those fitted sheets, I want the flat ones!” and on it would go as they argued about folding towels or anything else those baskets offered. The ladies loved folding! sheets, blankets, clothes– they loved folding.

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All the older folks I’ve known have a love of music. They especially like music that was popular from their own generation. Truthfully, I can understand that. I still enjoy the 50’s rock and roll myself. Music brings happiness and joy and memories of youth.

In later stages comfort is often the most necessary item. Soft house-shoes, a fluffy warm robe, soft music, a gentle foot rub. When that time comes, comfort is every bit as important as any activity or pleasure they found in earlier times.

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I hope you and your loved ones enjoy Fall and all the Holiday Season ahead. After a little forethought, you’ll know exactly what gift your loved one will enjoy most!

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