Finding a caregiver for your senior loved one can be challenging, especially if he or she is living with Alzheimer’s disease. Take your time and choose someone who can customize his or her caregiving methods according to your loved one’s needs. Here are some of the most important qualities for Alzheimer’s caregivers.
1. Encouraging Attitude
When seniors forget simple things, it can be difficult for them to handle their emotions, which is one of the reasons Alzheimer’s caregivers need to maintain an encouraging attitude. Easing your loved one’s mind and making him or her feel relaxed could slow the progression of the disease. If your loved one has difficulty communicating or remembering things, an Alzheimer’s caregiver can use sticky notes, videos, whiteboards, and gestures to trigger memories and simplify communication methods.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Align Home Care, a leading provider of home care service families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
2. Dependability
Alzheimer’s caregivers need to create schedules and stick to them. Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease depend on their caregivers to ensure the times for meals, activities, sleeping, and waking are the same each day. Maintaining normal schedules can help seniors with Alzheimer’s disease enjoy positive and relaxing days instead of becoming agitated, upset, and confused.
3. Strength
Seniors may find themselves spending more time sitting than moving around as Alzheimer’s disease progresses. It may be difficult for your loved one to get comfortable, and he or she may need to be moved to different areas often, which is why Alzheimer’s caregivers should have the strength to lift seniors.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Align Home Care is a leading Kennebunk home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
4. Patience
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease may experience a variety of challenges, including trembling, difficulty focusing, and issues with communicating, but caregivers should remain calm instead of being impatient or irritable. Older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease may mimic negative emotions, leading to more behavioral issues. A caregiver will need to learn how to calm your loved one down and develop strategies to direct his or her focus elsewhere.
5. Awareness
There are certain things seniors with Alzheimer’s shouldn’t do, such as watching television at night, consuming caffeine, or enduring too much stress, as these habits could cause restlessness and negative reactions to treatment. Alzheimer’s caregivers should be mindful of the stimulants seniors consume in addition to other issues around the home, such as stress and difficulty completing activities.
6. Tolerance
Seniors in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty eating and using the restroom, or they may be confined to their beds, causing bedsores that can lead to serious infections. An Alzheimer’s caregiver should feel comfortable with tasks such as caring for cracked, bruised, and dried skin. A caregiver who cannot tolerate these things might not be the right caregiver for your loved one.
If your elderly loved one is living with Alzheimer’s and needs help managing the symptoms, turn to Align Home Care, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Kennebunk seniors can rely on our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program that promotes cognitive health and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. CTM also encourages seniors to engage with others in an enjoyable way and helps them build new routines to look forward to. Call (207) 835-3490 today to speak with a friendly and experienced Care Manager to formulate a home care plan for your loved one.