Dealing with Alzheimer's in Canton

You may have noticed some subtle changes in your loved one at first. Perhaps he is becoming more forgetful or unable to keep up with a conversation. He surprised you the other day when he said he forgot if he’d eaten breakfast, and couldn’t remember if he’d taken his blood pressure medication. He got lost on his way to Publix, a store he’s driven to innumerable times. You begin to wonder if these are just symptoms of age or perhaps Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia – a neurological condition with increasing loss of cognitive and physical abilities. As the disease advances, symptoms become more severe, often preventing individuals from completing even simple activities of daily living. You’ll notice failing memory, confusion, disorientation and the inability to perform tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing and eating.

When do you call for assistance?

As Alzheimer’s progresses, caring for your loved one alone can bring added stress and exhaustion. You’ll notice different and complex behaviors emerge that may be physically and emotionally demanding for you. It becomes critical, however, to seek home care assistance when safety becomes a factor – for example, if your loved one wanders from the house and is disoriented, leaves appliances on (such as the stove) or takes his medications more often than prescribed.

What’s next?

• Start your care journey by speaking to your loved one’s physician. The doctor will perform a medical assessment and provide a diagnosis with the appropriate treatment.
• Talk to family and friends about emotional support and other needs.
• Consider engaging an Alzheimer’s home care provider from BrightStar Care of Acworth.

Our in-home care providers are professionally trained in Alzheimer’s care and are able to help maintain the daily routines and structure so important to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. We emphasize safety, and provide an in-home assessment to monitor and remove any hazards that may exist. Our caregivers also help with the activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming and dressing. A home care provider will ensure balanced nutrition and pleasant mealtimes and offer activities to stimulate conversation and memory. Always aware of physical capabilities, our home caregivers will encourage the completion of simple tasks.

We support family, too

BrightStar Care home care providers also support family caregivers. We believe in education, and we’ll assist you in learning the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and what you can expect. We’ll provide regular updates about your loved one’s health and be available to answer your questions and concerns.
Respite care is also available for those times when you need a break -- some time away from your responsibilities to focus on yourself and your own health.

For more information about BrightStar Care of Acworth, contact us today at (678) 290-7807.