Staring down the long, dark barrel of Alzheimer’s can be frightening. It can be terrifying for the person diagnosed with this disease and his or her family, especially those who may live close to them, who are emotionally close to them, and worry about what the future may hold. Proper Alzheimer’s home care services shouldn’t wait until the symptoms become so pronounced that is difficult for this senior to carry on even the most basic daily tasks but should begin shortly after diagnosis.
The average life expectancy for an aging senior diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is around 8 to 10 years upon diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Association). That doesn’t mean the senior is only going to live that long, for some may live longer and others might not make it that far. What it does show is there is plenty of time for quality of life before the symptoms become so severe that around-the-clock care and monitoring become essential.
If you are the spouse, adult child, or other beloved person to an aging senior now diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may feel as though you are a small being facing a massive giant. You may feel like David going up against Goliath.
You don’t have to go up there alone.
Alzheimer’s is not a disease for which there is a cure yet. It is not a giant that you can slay. It is simply a disease for which the symptoms will become more pronounced, more difficult to handle, and more disconcerting for the individual dealing with it and his or her loved ones.
Yet, there are plenty of things you can do to alleviate some of the difficulties for that aging person dealing with the disease. One of the most significant is to talk about Alzheimer’s care as soon as possible.
Most seniors want to remain where they are.
This is known as aging in place and it is the preferred way for elderly men and women to spend the remainder of their life. They want to be home, not in an institution. Experienced Alzheimer’s home care is the best way to support somebody with Alzheimer’s and the best way to do that is to choose an agency that has extensive experience supporting clients dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Many family members have no idea what to expect other than what they may read or are told by a doctor. Yet, as the symptoms progress, the senior is going to need a different level of care through each season of life.
Without any prior experience, how can you or somebody else provide that shifting level of care? You can still support your loved one — your spouse, your mother, your father, your grandparent, or whoever it is — but do so with proper, experienced, professional Alzheimer’s home care.
Is there a way to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s?
Most people would think, ‘No.’ However, there is some research that may indicate mental stimulation early on, shortly after diagnosis, can help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, at least for several months if not longer (Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation).
There are no guarantees, and there is no cure, but if you could improve quality of life and help this aging senior maintain more mental function and memory for longer, wouldn’t it stand to reason that you want to do it? Of course.
But what could you do to help? Help them engage in activities that stimulate the mind. Doing puzzles, going through photo albums and talking about their memories, doing crossword puzzles, writing, reading, and much more.
Ultimately, make sure that when you are setting out to support a family member or close friend who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s you consider the prospect of leaning on professional Alzheimer’s home care sooner rather than later so that senior can become accustomed to the caregiver and feel more comfortable when their memories fail them.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care Services in Jefferson PA please get in touch with the caring staff at Quality Health Services.
Call today! Northern Counties: (814) 251-9044
Blair, Cambria, & Centre Counties: (582) 220-2127
Quality Health Services is a trusted non-medical senior care provider in Dubois, Punxsutawney, Bellefonte, Jefferson, Brockway, Brookville, Clearfield, St Marys, Emporium, Philipsburg, Blair County, Cambria County, and Centre County, PA areas.
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