With a solid treatment plan, many seniors who have Alzheimer’s can delay or lessen some of the worst symptoms of this disease. If your aging loved one has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you should spend a little time exploring all the various treatment options. While researchers don’t know of any permanent cures for this form of dementia, you can take steps to greatly boost your loved one’s quality of life in the coming years.
1. Focus on Medication Adherence
In the early to moderate stages of this disease, certain drugs can be highly effective, and drug adherence is very important. Whenever your loved one is given a new prescription, ask the doctor about dosages, how the drugs must be taken, proper storage methods, and potential side effects.
2. Explore Behavioral Therapies
Your loved one’s personality is going to change over time, and therapy is one of the best ways to avoid sudden behavioral issues. In the 1990s, a team of researchers funded by the Alzheimer’s Association developed a unique form of therapy known as habilitation therapy. This type of therapy can help your loved one feel safe and valued while maintaining some of his or her skills.
A professional caregiver with experience in Alzheimer’s care can be an enormously valuable source of support for your whole family. Families looking for top-rated in-home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
3. Provide Plenty of Stimulation
Even as this disease progresses, your loved one can still preserve his or her synapses and create new memories. Stimulating and engaging activities can be very beneficial, and you should make sure your loved one is constantly trying out interesting and challenging activities. You must also encourage your loved one to interact with as many people as possible so he or she remains socially stimulated.
4. Encourage Exercise
In addition to boosting your loved one’s physical health, an exercise routine could also regulate his or her emotions. Some of the best exercise options for seniors with Alzheimer’s include going on walks, tending gardens, carrying out simple household chores, and dancing.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care Clearwater, FL, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
5. Follow a Daily Routine
Predictable daily routines can help seniors with Alzheimer’s manage some of the most debilitating aspects of the disease. At the very least, try to ensure your loved one goes to bed at the same time each night and wakes up around the same time every morning. You can also have your loved one follow a strict bedtime routine if he or she is experiencing insomnia.
6. Serve Nutritious Snacks & Meals
A healthy diet isn’t going to reverse Alzheimer’s, but it can help with at least some of the symptoms. Following a nutrient-dense diet increases energy levels, boosts the immune system, and helps with cognitive health. You must also help your loved one avoid sugary foods, simple carbohydrates, and other substances that have been linked to brain inflammation.
7. Steer Clear of Triggers
Most seniors with Alzheimer’s are going to have a difficult time with anything that overstimulates them, and those triggers need to be avoided. Your loved one’s triggers might include large crowds, noisy televisions, moving shadows, or bright lights. Helping your loved one steer clear of those triggers could greatly boost his or her mood.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Clearwater Home Care Assistance provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our proprietary Cognitive Therapeutics Method was designed to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives. Call us at (727) 330-7862 today to talk to one of our compassionate Care Managers about our high-quality home care services.