Alzheimer’s Disease: Dealing With Repetitive Behavior

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

People with Alzheimer’s disease often act as if their minds are caught in an endless tape loop. They may ask the same question 20 times in an afternoon, pace a stretch of floor for hours, or hum a tune that never seems to run out of verses. Many have a condition called echolalia, in which the patient repeats words endlessly or echoes a phrase. If you’re caring for someone with the disease, this sort of thing may make you feel like crying or tearing your hair.

It’s important to know that your loved one isn’t trying to annoy you or push you to the breaking point. A continually repeated question, for instance, doesn’t mean that he or she isn’t listening to the answer. The 36-Hour Day, an excellent handbook for families coping with Alzheimer’s, explains that this repetition may be a sign of the insecurity and uncertainty caused by memory loss. In the later stages of the disease, damage to the memory may be so severe that the sufferer will not even remember asking the question.

Through these words and actions, the person with Alzheimer’s may also be expressing a specific concern, asking for help, or coping with frustration in the only way he or she knows. By understanding the reasons behind repetitive behavior, you can help provide comfort while preserving your own sanity.

How to reassure them while preserving your equilibrium

Reassurance is an excellent tool to use in managing difficult behavior. Often that behavior is due to anxiety or fear, and you need to be sensitive to your loved one’s emotions. Be aware of your touch, tone of voice, not rushing or being too anxious.

If your loved one constantly asks who you are or keeps asking for a long-dead friend or spouse, it may be out of worry that there’s nobody to care for him or her. By the same token, repeated questions about the next doctor’s appointment may mean that he or she has health concerns or is afraid of the doctor.

Instead of answering such questions every time they’re asked, reply with words of comfort. When your loved one wants to know who you are, say in a calm, soothing voice that everything is fine, that you’re there and will take care of him. Add that there will be plenty of food tonight, and that he or she is fortunate to have such a great doctor. If words don’t help, you may be able to ease his fears by putting on music, giving a shoulder massage, taking a walk outside, or another pleasant diversion.

Your loved one might have other reasons for saying the same things over and over. Some people with dementia may use repetition as a way to keep a conversation going when they know they’re not holding up their end. Again, a few reassuring words or a little redirection might help.

Other forms of repetitive behavior are often just as frustrating as nonstop questions. Indeed, it can be heart-wrenching to see a formerly gifted, accomplished person spend the afternoon pacing the kitchen or folding the same towel. He or she may even walk into a corner, and, unable to turn around, keep marching in place. But with gentle reassurance and guidance, you can help break this pattern of behavior.

Instead of saying, “Quit walking around the kitchen,” you might ask if he or she would like to sit down and look at pictures in the living room. Or you might also suggest that the two of you walk outdoors. But — very important — you should also ask yourself if the behavior really needs to be stopped. Your loved one may feel competent and helpful when he or she is folding that towel 50 times, and the towel won’t mind, either.

Here are some strategies to help you cope with repetitive behavior:

•Look for patterns. Keep a log to determine if the behavior occurs at a certain time of day or night, or whether particular people or events seem to trigger it.

•Keep track so you can tell whether your loved one might be hungry, cold, tired, in pain, or in need of a trip to the bathroom.

•Check with the doctor to make sure your loved one isn’t suffering from pain or the side effects of medication.

•Speak slowly and wait for your loved one to respond.

•Don’t point out that he or she just asked the same question.

•Distract him or her with a favorite activity.

•Use signs, notes, and calendars to help decrease anxiety and uncertainty. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, when your loved one can still read, he or she may not need to ask about dinner if a note on the table says, “Dinner is at 6:30 p.m.”

Talking with friends, a counselor, or a support group about your grief and frustration at the damage caused by Alzheimer’s also leaves you free to cope with its reality and to cherish your loved one as he or she is. So many times we talk about caregiving in a somewhat negative fashion. But often a lot of families find where this has been an opportunity to grow, and to find more adaptive ways of solving difficulties. These aren’t just caregiver skills, but life skills all of us need.

Safe Trips Home for Seniors

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Tips on how to have a safe trip home from rehab

#1… visit with the rehab team at the care facility to learn how to safely transfer your loved one to and from chairs, bed, wheelchairs and cars.

#2… visit with the dietary department at the care facility to ensure you are compliant with dietary needs. Also, be sure you know which foods could pose a choking hazard and ask if liquids need to be thickened.

#3… visit with the facility social worker to ensure all of the arrangements are in place for the visit. The social worker will obtain the medical order that approves a visit home, order portable oxygen, ask nursing staff to package meds and provide other items that may be needed.

#4.. transportation home is tricky. If you are unable to transport your loved one home in your vehicle after visiting with the rehab team, consult with the facility social worker to see if you can arrange for wheelchair transportation in their facility van. Weld County Paramedic Services only provides free holiday transportation for bed-bound patients only. If the patient is able to sit up in a wheelchair for any amount of time, he/she will not qualify for an ambulance service trip. Again, start planning early… be flexible in your times.

#5… keep a list of medical conditions, medications, and allergies with you on the visit. Also, if your loved one has a do not resuscitate order, take a copy home with you. Put all of this information in an envelope on your refrigerator. That way, if something happens at home and you need to call 911, you will have up to date information available when paramedics arrive.

#6.. .when choosing a location for a holiday diner, choose a family home with limited stairways, and doorways that will accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. You may wish to have your holiday diner at one of the local restaurants in town that is wheelchair accessible. If your bathroom is not accessible, you may wish to rent a portable commode chair from one of the durable medical companies in town to use for the day.

#7… senior proof your home! Keep driveways, walkways; stairways and other paths clear of ice, snow, loose rugs, cords and other obstacles. Choose chairs that have arms and are easier for your loved one to stand up in. Evaluate your lighting prior to their arrival. Ask your loved one to wear appropriate shoes for the day. High heels are probably not the safest choice for your venture. Seniors can still dress up in sensible shoes.

Types of Memory Loss

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Is memory loss a normal part of growing old?

As you get older, your brain ages along with the rest of your body. As a natural part of the aging process, you will lose some of your mental ability. Because this change is generally gradual, pinpointing the exact age when mental ability declines is difficult. Researchers know that after age 50, episodes of memory loss occur more frequently. However, this normal decline in mental function should not interfere with your ability to function in your daily life. In contrast, any drastic or sudden change in memory function may be indicative of an underlying disease. If this occurs, contact your doctor or other health-care professional for evaluation. He or she will assess any significant change in memory, personality, behavior, language or analytic skills.

How does memory change with age?

Age-related memory loss is a highly active area of research. There are many ways to assess memory, including written tests, verbal exercises and practical tests for specific tasks. What researchers know with certainty is that: Age affects a variety of different memory tasks. Not all memory tasks change with age in the same way. As you age, you learn information more slowly. However, recent research shows that if information is learned in the right way, an older person has the ability to remember just as efficiently as a younger person does. Older people have more difficulty with short-term memory. Laying down new memories is more difficult when an older person is asked to divide his or her attention or to reorganize material that has been presented.

Does a decline in memory indicate dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe significant decline in a number of brain activities that include memory loss. Some degree of age-related memory loss is normal. In people with dementia, the changes in memory are significant enough to affect the ability to function in daily life. In addition to memory loss, patients with dementia show changes in personality and behavior.

What causes dementia?

In some cases, dementia is caused by treatable conditions, such as: Depression Adverse reactions to medications Infections, such as syphilis or fungal meningitis Metabolic conditions, such as deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate or thyroid hormone In these cases, dementia may be partially or entirely reversed if diagnosed and treated early. Evaluation by a health care professional will include testing to see if any of these conditions are contributing to mental decline. However, most causes of dementia are not curable. This type of irreversible dementia commonly results from the degeneration or interruption of brain neurons (the connections in the brain). This can have a variety of causes: Alzheimer’s disease (in 40 percent to 45 percent of cases) Multi-infarct or vascular dementia (in 20 percent of cases) Lewy body disease (in 20 percent of cases) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Traumatic head injury AIDS Alcohol in high amounts over many years Huntington’s disease Pick’s disease (a degenerative disease of the brain) Brain abscess Multiple sclerosis More than 50 other rare degenerative conditions

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease. It initially affects memory, but as the disease progresses, it involves many other brain functions. It eventually leads to physical illness and, ultimately, to death. Characteristic changes occur in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. These changes cannot be detected by current laboratory tests. With time, tests may become available to diagnose the disease and to determine whether or not a person will develop it.

Can I inherit Alzheimer’s disease?

A few patients with Alzheimer’s disease (about 3 percent) have a genetic abnormality that is believed to be the cause of their disease. This abnormality is in the chromosomes — the genetic material that you inherit from your parents. A specific abnormality in one of these chromosomes will result in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers refer to this as autosomal-dominant inheritance because a defect in just one chromosome can result in the disease, which is passed from one generation to the next. This is a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease that affects young patients. It is best to think of Alzheimer’s as a disease of the elderly.

Benefits of Senior / Elder Home Care Services

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

There is nothing like the comfort and security of home when you’re ill or recovering from an illness. Research shows that even for those living with chronic illness or disability, living at home is often the best option for physical and mental well being. Some of the benefits of in-home care include:

• Provides individuals needing care with dignity and independence.
• May help prevent or postpone hospital or nursing home care.
• Allows maximum freedom and comfort for the individual.
• Offers individualized care tailored to the needs of the individual and family.
• Provides professionally supervised services.
• Supports families while keeping them together.

What Are The Benefits of Live In Care?

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

OUR LIVE-IN CARE PROGRAM:

A live-in care program means having 5 Star Home Care caregivers around the clock in the care recipients’ home. Our caregiver lives and works in the home as long as needed. Benefits include the fact that our caregivers are always there, thus reducing the risk of leaving the client unattended, no matter what traffic or weather conditions are like.

When the primary caregiver needs some time off, 5 Star Home Care fills in with another caregiver (relief) until the primary caregiver returns. Basically the primary caregiver becomes part of the family. Fact: Live-in care is the most cost-effective way of securing 24-hour companionship for a senior or those with disabilities. Our Live-in care services are quoted on a daily basis & not by the hour.

Benefits of Home Care For Seniors

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Home Care can be a very cost effective alternative to an assisted living or nursing home admission. It is certainly the least disruptive. Our insured and bonded caregivers provide loving care from 4- 24 hours per day. Home Care services we provide include personal care, homemaking, companionship, transportation, and more. We assist elderly clients who may have Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, stroke, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, hospice patients, and may other age related infirmities. We understand the decision to bring care for a loved one into the home can be difficult. If you should choose 5 Star Home Care to care for a loved one, you can expect:

• An individualized care plan developed by a registered nurse
• Caring, compassionate caregivers with the training and skills necessary to deliver the care
• Consistent and reliable care (Our reliability index is better than 99.5%!)
• A responsive staff able to answer any questions about care being received, and access to an after hours emergency number
• The ability to adapt to changes in your loved ones needs
• A resource that can connect you to additional medical, non-medical and financial assistance.
• PEACE OF MIND. You do not have to go through this alone. We are here to help.

5 Star Home Care can be a Great Alternative to Assisted Living or a Supplement to Assisted Living

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118.  Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

5 Star Home Care can be a Great Alternative to Assisted Living or a Supplement to Assisted Living.  5 Star Home Care has been offering personalized assistance to older Atlantans for over several years. Our care plans enable people, of any age or health condition, to maintain control over their life and stay living in the comfort of their own home! Most people are familiar with Assisted Living, which offers independent senior living apartments with services available such as social activities, meals, housekeeping, and certified nursing assistant services such as medication reminders, mobility assistance, or personal care assistance. Services are usually a la carte so people can choose which ones they want or don’t want to use. The downfall of assisted living, for many people, is having to move out of their home into an apartment, a new and less private environment. Also, social activities in Assisted Living are planned to meet the general interest of a group rather than an individual’s interests. The meals are not always what people like or have been accustomed to eating in their life. Also, the certified nursing assistant services are a la carte and can get expensive as people start needing more and more assistance.  With 5 Star Home Care, people get to stay living in their own home and we bring the benefits of Assisted Living into their home, personalized to their needs. Our caregivers can take people on social outings based on their interests, prepare meals to their liking, help with housekeeping, and do certified nursing assistant services such as medication reminders, mobility assistance, personal care assistance, and so much more. (See Our Services for a complete description of the Certified Nursing Assistant and Companion Caregivers that we offer to our clients.)

With 5 Star Home Care, people do not pay a la carte for services, but rather pay for the amount of time that the caregiver spends with them and that time is managed to meet their individual needs. This can be more cost effective and beneficial for many people.  Another benefit with 5 Star Home Care is that a Registered Nurse manages all of the care that is provided for a client and keeps open communication with family members. People often consider Assisted Living because it offers a memory care unit. What people don’t always know is that 5 Star Home Care caregivers are able to live in our client’s homes to provide them around-the-clock memory care. An important benefit to live-in home care for people with dementia is that they get to stay home, where it is familiar and comfortable, combined with continuity in care by working with the same caregiver(s).  5 Star Home Care is a great option for people who need memory care. 5 Star Home Care might not be the choice for everyone, but more and more people are realizing that they don’t have to move. We believe that 5 Star Home Care offers everything Assisted Living does, and more! If you have a question about your particular situation, assisted living versus home care, or long-term care in general, please call  5 Star Home Care  at 404-719-4118.

How to Prevent Wandering at Home

5 Star Home Care quality homecare for Seniors – call 404-719-4118. Serving all areas in Metro Atlanta including Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, and  Gwinett County.

Caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s at home can be extremely difficult, especially if the patient is a wanderer. The tactics outlined below will help you curb dangerous wandering behaviors and prepare you in the event that your loved one wanders off and becomes lost.

• Make your home Alzheimer’s friendly so your loved one can wander safely indoors.
• Encourage safe wandering. Accompany your loved one on walks around the neighborhood. Fenced yards allow for safe walking as well.
• Camouflage exit doors by painting them the same color as the walls, including doorknobs. Create a further deterrent by using black electrical tape to depict a grid.
• Label internal doors with large-print signs or pictures that denote the room’s purpose. For example, put a picture of a toilet outside the bathroom door and a picture of a bed outside the bedroom door.
• Buy a bedside commode if nighttime wandering is triggered by the need to use the bathroom.
• Install an alarm system that is activated by the opening of external doors.

If your loved one becomes lost:

• Search and re-search your home (including closets and cupboards) and immediate neighborhood. Ask friends and neighbors to help.
• Have several recent photos of your loved one on hand to distribute to all parties assisting in your search.
• Have bedclothes or clothing ready to assist police in their search if they become involved.