In the mid-stage and late-stage of Alzheimer’s disease, your dad’s behaviors may change. It gets harder to handle his wandering, agitation, and anger. Did you realize that home care can help with many of these more challenging behaviors?
Agitation
From time to time, your dad will become agitated. That agitation can progress to anger. If you aren’t careful how you react, it can escalate the behavior. It’s not uncommon for someone with Alzheimer’s to hit, slap, kick, or bite.
You’re not expecting your dad to physically attack you, so it’s alarming. You’ll react and that worsens it. It’s important not to react, but if you’re stressed, it’s more likely to happen. Take breaks regularly so that you’re calmer and less likely to yell or criticize him. Respite care is one of the services to ask about.
Changing Appetites
Alzheimer’s can make meals a bit more challenging. You get up and ask your dad what he wants for dinner. He picks something, but dinner arrives and he says he hates that. You have to go in and cook another meal.
If you do this, you’ll be cooking multiple dinners. Foods he once loved are now hated and vice versa. Instead, have a main meal all set and have something simple like peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwich also ready. If he doesn’t like the main meal, hand him the sandwich. Sweeter foods are often more appealing.
Consider having home care aides available to cook his meals. You can focus on eating and cooking for your significant other and any children. The caregiver can focus on your dad’s meals.
Wandering
Wandering occurs in a large percentage of Alzheimer’s cases. It happens day and night, which makes it hard to get a good night’s sleep. Your dad wakes in the middle of the night, tries to go outside, and sets off the alarm. You’re jolted awake and have a hard time getting back to sleep once he’s settled.
He needs around-the-clock supervision if wandering is a problem. While you sleep, a caregiver can be up and watching for your dad to get up and try to get outside. You’ll get enough sleep and be ready for the next day.
Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed and frustrated. That tends to worsen the symptoms caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Taking breaks from time to time is the best way to recharge and ease tension. Talk to a home care agency to learn more about pricing.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring home care in Fountain Hills, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!
Another sign that could let you know your elderly family member is dealing with dysphagia is that she might have more saliva than usual. This can sometimes be a good thing, but for someone with dysphagia, she could start to drool or have difficulty swallowing the extra saliva. The excess saliva can also make eating and drinking more difficult, because it’s tougher for her to gauge what might be too much in one bite or one swallow.