Caregiving experts offer tips in honor of World Alzheimer's Month
An estimated 5.4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, a number that is expected to escalate rapidly in coming years as the baby boom generation ages. With one in eight people aged 65 and older affected by the mind-robbing illness, Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia have a tremendous impact on our nation's caregivers and our healthcare system.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers providing 17 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at $202 billion. Caring for an elderly loved one suffering from dementia can seem overwhelming at times but having the right information and support will ensure the best outcome for everyone involved. In honor of World Alzheimer's Month approaching in September, Bobbi Martinez and Brett Chaveriat, owners of FirstLight HomeCare in Arlington Heights, a provider of in-home care, offers the following tips for caregivers of people with dementia:
Discover what makes the person "feel" good.
Find out interests the person used to have and make an effort to tailor these to their current level of ability. For example, if they loved to garden, perhaps they might not be able to use the pruners but are more suited to pull weeds, water flowers, etc.
Create an upbeat environment.
Sensory experiences and socialization are important for people with Alzheimer's but they can be easily over stimulated, which leads to stress. Vary activities that stimulate their sense of sight, smell, hearing, and touch. Listening to music, dancing, painting, walking, telling stories or arranging for visitors help to offer the person positive experiences.
Use their history or experiences to help them reminisce.
Flipping through an old photo album or scrapbook, or reading from a favorite book can be comforting for a person with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Establish a day-to-day routine.
Having a general daily routine not only helps caregiving run smoothly but the consistency also gives the individual a sense of security. Keep the same times for waking up, mealtimes, bathing, seeing visitors and bedtime, which helps maintain a structured routine. Try to incorporate familiar belongings in the routine and involve them in daily activities as much as you can. Every day can vary so stay flexible and adapt your routine as needed.
Take a break.
High levels of caregiver stress can often result in tension and feelings of resentment. It's imperative for caregivers to take time for themselves. Find a local support groups or hire respite care to keep yourself healthy. The most important thing to remember is that each person with Alzheimer's is unique and will respond differently to care. Do your best and remember that even if they can't express their gratitude, your loved one is in good hands.
FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical, in-home care customized for seniors, new mothers and those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. The demand for high-quality in-home care is at an all-time high, with more than 12 percent of Americans over 65 and wanting to remain independent for as long as possible. FirstLight HomeCare combines best practices of a dynamic senior leadership team with more than 75 years of collective senior care experience and innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. FirstLight HomeCare franchises have exclusive access to Foundation First, the best-in-class franchise support system bringing together 24 franchise essentials, unmatched in the industry. Prime territories are going quickly, for more information please visit www.firstlightfranchise.com.