Family caregivers are often the unsung heroes. They sacrifice a great deal — sometimes even their own physical and mental health — to care for a loved one.
Several studies show caregiver stress can take a toll, including depression and anxiety. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia can be particularly challenging. We understand the challenges in-home care providers face, so we want to care for their well-being.
McKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care is here to help families and seniors live their lives to the fullest. That means taking care of the caregiver, too.
Stages
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia for Americans, which is characterized by loss of memory and other cognitive abilities. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that worsens over time. While Alzheimer’s disease can’t be stopped or reversed, with early detection, some medications can slow down its progression, provide some symptom relief, and help maintain independence longer.
The disease process for Alzheimer’s typically follows three stages. The middle stage may last the longest, but the disease progresses differently for every person.
Early Stages
In the early stages, memory loss is mild, and a person may function independently and participate in social activities. At the same time, the person may have memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties, while a doctor may detect problems in memory or concentration. During this time while the person is only experiencing mild cognitive impairment, it’s important for the person with Alzheimer’s and the family to make legal matters and financial plans. This includes decision-making on who will make medical and financial decisions on the person’s behalf in the later stages of the disease.
Moderate Stages
During the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s, individuals may be confusing words, getting frustrated or angry, having difficulty performing daily routine tasks, or acting in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. At the same time, they often still remember significant details of daily life. During this middle stage, 24-hour supervision may become necessary to keep the person safe.
Late Stages
In the late stage of Alzheimer’s, the person loses the ability to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, significant behavior changes may occur, including a condition called “sundowning.” Care requirements become even more intensive, and individuals need round-the-clock help with daily activities and personal care.
Determining the Right Time for Additional Help
With the complex healthcare needs people with Alzheimer’s or related dementias have, you may not be able to continue providing the level of care they need at home once they reach the disease’s middle or late stages. How do you know when to seek help from a professional memory care community or nursing home?
If you answer yes to any of the questions below, it’s likely time to seek other long-term care options:
- Is the person becoming unsafe in his/her current home?
- Is the person experiencing incontinence?
- Is the health of the person with dementia or my health as a caregiver at risk?
- Are the person’s care needs beyond my physical abilities?
- Am I becoming a stressed, irritable, and impatient caregiver?
- Am I neglecting work responsibilities, my family, and myself?
- Would the structure and social interaction at a care facility benefit the person with dementia?
Choosing a Memory Care Community
When it’s time to move to a memory care community, take the important steps to find the right fit. Below are a few considerations to get started:
- Visit several facilities at different times of the day
- Talk with staff, residents, and families
- Ask about room availability and costs
- Ask about specialized training in dementia care
- Discover what programs and activities are available
- Determine if a physician and registered nurses are available 24 hours a day
- Ensure indoor and outdoor areas are secure and safe
- Check to see if the food is appetizing and nutritious
- Verify continuing care is available as needs change
How Specialized Memory Care Can Help
McKnight’s memory care community has dedicated staff who create care plans for senior adults of all cognitive abilities.
McKnight Place Memory Care’s Forget-Me-Not care program focuses on the interests and abilities of each resident to promote an active, fulfilling lifestyle through social interaction, special events and trips, therapeutic activities, and support services.
When a loved one is part of the McKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care community, families can rest easy and focus on enjoying time together. The expert team ensures your loved one receives the best Alzheimer’s care in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment.
As the caregiver, you enjoy peace of mind and the comfort of knowing your loved one is receiving exceptional, compassionate attention that improves their quality of life.
Take Care of the Yourself, Too
Whether you’re just beginning the journey of being a caregiver for a loved one, or have been doing it for several years, it’s important to take care of yourself. You can’t do it all alone.
Start with these 11 tips for self-care:
- Look up local resources from reliable sources, such as the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), National Institute on Aging (NIA), CDC.gov, and other community resources
- Attend support groups or call a helpline.
- Take care of your own health so you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.
- Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
- Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
- Caregiving is hard, so take respite care breaks often.
- Watch for signs of depression, and don’t delay getting professional help when you need it.
- Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
- Organize medical information so it’s up-to-date and easy to find.
- Make sure legal documents are in order.
- Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs ever.
If you’re a caregiver, thanks for your hard work and dedication. Whether they can express it or not, the ones you love appreciate it very much. If you aren’t a caregiver, be sure to thank your family members and friends who are.
Visit McKnight Place
For additional information about McKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care or to schedule a personal tour, please call 314-993-3333.