Here's a look at the day-to-day life with someone who is in the mid-stages of Alzheimer's. You'll see how important it is to have caregivers available to help with some or even all of your parent's daily activities.
Morning Activities in the Mid-Stages
Every Alzheimer's patient is different. For Jane's mom, sleeping until 11 a.m. is the norm. Trying to wake her before that leads to agitation and anger. It's not easy working around this schedule, but it's the best she can do.
Once her mom is awake, Jane makes sure she has appropriate clothing laid out. Her mom is fine showering and getting dressed by herself, but she can't choose the right clothes for the season. If allowed to choose for herself, her mom will wear jeans and a fleece pullover on the hottest day of summer.
A brunch comes next. Jane's mom doesn't like to eat many foods. She's grown fond of foods from her childhood. She likes to start her day with a scone, an orange, and a mug of coffee. Jane also puts out a glass of water. Her mom has to be pushed into drinking enough water each day.
It's time for Jane's mom to take her medications. She will only take her pills with water, so it's the easiest time of the day to get her mom to drink a full glass of water. After that, she'll pick at her meal. Jane figures if she eats just half of it, she's doing good.
Afternoon and Early Evening Hours
Once she's eaten, Jane's mom gets restless. She hates being in the car and gets carsick too easily. She's delusional and is convinced that if she goes outside a neighbor is going to attack her. Jane has to lure her outside for exercise. Typically, her mom won't go farther than to the end of the driveway and back. Jane figures it's better than nothing.
After the walk, Jane's mom doesn't like to sit still. She has to be carefully supervised. She hides things to keep people from stealing them and that's been an issue. Jane's mom lost her credit card for weeks. It was finally found under the towels in the bathroom closet. Jane and her siblings have found glasses in the dog food bag, jewelry in the freezer's ice cube trays, and shoes in the kitchen cupboards.
All the supervision frustrates her mom. She often labels Jane “the babysitter” and storms off in an outrage. This only makes it harder for Jane. She finds herself looking forward to bedtime, as it's the only time she has to herself. The problem is her mom sleeps late in the morning and stays up till 2 a.m.
Jane could have time to herself with respite care. Caregivers could take over some of the daily tasks like meal preparation, dishes, and wiping down surfaces.
Make the most of the time you and your parent have left and hire caregivers. Don't stress yourself out trying to do it all.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME ELDERLY CARE IN STREETERVILLE, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.
Morning Activities in the Mid-Stages
Every Alzheimer's patient is different. For Jane's mom, sleeping until 11 a.m. is the norm. Trying to wake her before that leads to agitation and anger. It's not easy working around this schedule, but it's the best she can do.
Once her mom is awake, Jane makes sure she has appropriate clothing laid out. Her mom is fine showering and getting dressed by herself, but she can't choose the right clothes for the season. If allowed to choose for herself, her mom will wear jeans and a fleece pullover on the hottest day of summer.
A brunch comes next. Jane's mom doesn't like to eat many foods. She's grown fond of foods from her childhood. She likes to start her day with a scone, an orange, and a mug of coffee. Jane also puts out a glass of water. Her mom has to be pushed into drinking enough water each day.
It's time for Jane's mom to take her medications. She will only take her pills with water, so it's the easiest time of the day to get her mom to drink a full glass of water. After that, she'll pick at her meal. Jane figures if she eats just half of it, she's doing good.
Afternoon and Early Evening Hours
Once she's eaten, Jane's mom gets restless. She hates being in the car and gets carsick too easily. She's delusional and is convinced that if she goes outside a neighbor is going to attack her. Jane has to lure her outside for exercise. Typically, her mom won't go farther than to the end of the driveway and back. Jane figures it's better than nothing.
After the walk, Jane's mom doesn't like to sit still. She has to be carefully supervised. She hides things to keep people from stealing them and that's been an issue. Jane's mom lost her credit card for weeks. It was finally found under the towels in the bathroom closet. Jane and her siblings have found glasses in the dog food bag, jewelry in the freezer's ice cube trays, and shoes in the kitchen cupboards.
All the supervision frustrates her mom. She often labels Jane “the babysitter” and storms off in an outrage. This only makes it harder for Jane. She finds herself looking forward to bedtime, as it's the only time she has to herself. The problem is her mom sleeps late in the morning and stays up till 2 a.m.
Jane could have time to herself with respite care. Caregivers could take over some of the daily tasks like meal preparation, dishes, and wiping down surfaces.
Make the most of the time you and your parent have left and hire caregivers. Don't stress yourself out trying to do it all.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME ELDERLY CARE IN STREETERVILLE, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.