Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Other Forms of Dementia

Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related conditions can be challenging for families.  These progressive brain disorders make it difficult for a person to remember things, think clearly, communicate with others, and to take care of themselves.  In some cases, individuals experience mood swings as well as changes in personality and behavior. Work with your loved one to take these steps to achieve goals:  

At the Caregiver.org website, tips are available for learning how to communicate better and more effectively deal with a family member suffering from dementia.  One of their first suggestions is to “set a positive mood for interactions.”  They explain that how you interact with the person sends a message, and approaching them in a pleasant, respectful manner conveys caring and affection.  Another suggestion is to limit any distractions and noise when you want to get the person’s attention.  Address them by name, remind them of your name, and look directly in their eyes to help keep them focused.

Be sure to speak slowly and clearly using simple words and short sentences.  Try and keep the pitch of your voice low and repeat the message if they do not understand the first time.  If you are asking a question, frame it so they can answer with a simple yes or no.  When possible, show them the choices and help guide a response.   

They also recommend changing up the environment if a loved one is upset.  Try taking a walk or suggest another activity that you know they enjoy.  Always do your best to be positive and to respond with affection and reassurance.  Humor and patience can go a long way when dealing with someone with dementia. 

If you have a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, SYNERGY HomeCare can provide the help you need.  We serve Central Texas with a broad range of non-medical, versatile and extremely flexible home care services.  Our compassionate, trained caregivers provide families with peace of mind knowing their loved one is receiving the level of care they need. 

**This blog is intended for informational purposes only.  Always consult your health care provider regarding all medical decisions. **

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the San Antonio area’s most trusted agencies for non-medical home care.  We provide families with affordable, reliable and compassionate services that include everything from short term wellness visits to live-in care.  Please contact us to discuss the range of services we can provide for your loved one. 

Source: caregiver.org/caregivers-guide-understanding-dementia-behaviors

Tips for Dealing with Hearing Loss

Hearing aids are primarily intended for hearing loss that stems from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, known as hair cells, and is referred to as sensorineural hearing loss.  The damage can be caused by diseases or injury from loud noises or trauma as well as aging (Presbycusis).

Although it is unclear why, Presbycusis seems to run in families and is also associated with years of exposure to loud noises known as noise-induced hearing loss. In fact the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) says that “It is one of the most common conditions affecting older and elderly adults.”  They add that, “Approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.”

So what should you do if you suspect that you are experiencing a hearing loss?  The NIDCD recommends that you seek professional medical advice starting with your doctor.  From there, your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as an otolaryngologist, an audiologist, or a hearing aid specialist.  Otolaryngologists will try to diagnose why you are experiencing a hearing loss and may send you to an audiologist to be fitted for a hearing aid. 

A hearing aid is one way to deal with a hearing loss but there are several other treatments and devices commonly used.  Hearing aids make sounds louder and the NIDCD advises that you wear a hearing aid on a trial basis to ensure it is a good fit for you as often it takes a couple of tries to get fitted properly.  For severe hearing loss, you may be fitted with a small electronic device surgically implanted in the inner ear called a cochlear implant.  Other solutions include assistive listening devices such as “amplifying devices, smart phones or tablet "apps," and closed circuit systems.”   Finally learning to read lips can be helpful. 

**This blog is intended for informational purposes only.  Always consult your health care provider regarding all medical decisions. **

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional care.    

Source:nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/older.aspx

The Growing Need for Caregivers

According to the new Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 report from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, it discovered that over the past year “about 43.5 million American adults worked as unpaid caregivers, the bulk of them to an adult age 50 or older.”  Furthermore, the study found that while family caregivers are usually women around 50 years of age and that their caregiving duties are for a relative; caregivers come from a variety of ages and backgrounds and are both men and women.         

One aspect the study looked at was the level of stress for the caregivers and it was no surprise that unpaid caregivers who were on the job for more than 21 hours a week reported the most stress.  The average length of time those who were high-hour a week caregivers have done the job is five years.   Most reported they expect to continue in their role as caregiver for another five years. 

As projections from the Census Bureau estimate the number of U.S. seniors 65 and older will almost double from 2012 to 2050 and the number of seniors 85 years and older more than triple, there will certainly be a need for more caregivers.  In a recent article in NBC’s Business section it quotes John Schall, chief executive of the Caregiver Action Network, as saying, "We are seeing, without a doubt, that the caregiving need is just growing and growing."  The article went on to say that currently over 80 percent of adults 51 to 54 years old may be “at risk” of needing to provide care for a parent or in-law due to health problems. 

At SYNERGY HomeCare of Austin, we understand the stress of juggling caregiving with work, raising children and managing a household can have over time.  This is why we provide professional and compassionate respite care services to allow you to take some much-needed time for yourself while still meeting the needs of your loved one. 

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most respected agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Please contact us to discuss our range of options for providing your family peace of mind with professional home care in the Austin area.    

Sources:aarp.org/ppi/info-2015/caregiving-in-the-united-states-2015.html

nbcnews.com/business/personal-finance/more-americans-pay-steep-price-plunge-caregiving-cliff-n425081

Preparing for a Hospital Stay

When you know in advance that you will be spending time in the hospital, there are a few things you can do to ensure you are well-prepared for your stay.  While keeping in mind that you should not bring too much, do take the time beforehand to get your essentials packed up and ready to go.

The Leapfrog Group, which is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting quality, safety and transparency in our health system offers some good advice that they publish on their Hospital Safety Score website.  One of their first recommendations is that you pack all of the medications you are currently taking including over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal remedies so your doctors can review them. 

Furthermore, do not forget to bring items such as hearing aids, dentures, and glasses as well as a book or magazine to read along with your slippers or non-slip socks, bathrobe and toiletries.  Pack a set of comfortable clothes for your trip home or plan on wearing the same clothes you wore to the hospital.  Also remember to bring your photo identification and insurance cards as well as a small amount of cash and one credit card. 

Now is the time to update your medical history by preparing a list of all allergies and bring along the paperwork regarding any past illnesses and surgeries you have had.  Make sure your hospital bag also includes emergency contact information that is complete with both home and work phone numbers.

Items that should not be taken to the hospital are jewelry (even wedding rings should be left at home), additional credit cards and large amounts of money.  Keep in mind that the hospital is not responsible for your lost or stolen items.  Laptops, cell phones, tablets and other electronics you bring are your responsibility.     

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional in home care.    

Sources:hospitalsafetyscore.org/what-you-can-do-to-stay-safe/preparing-for-your-hospital-stay, nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hospital-hints

Your Memory Loss May Just Be a Lack of Sleep

Seniors should be aware of the fact that memory loss, especially during stressful situations, is not always a symptom of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  In a recently published report from Uppsala University of Sweden, sleep researchers Jonathan Cedernaes and Christian Benedict proved that something as simple as not getting enough sleep can affect long-term memory. 

As we already know that short-term memories are transferred to our long-term memories when sleeping, the researchers set out to discover what role sleep plays in memory retention when someone is subjected to acute cognitive stress.  In the study two groups of participants were taught a series of paired card locations on a computer screen.  The next day, the participants with only 4 hours of sleep had a 10 percent decrease in retaining the learned information while exposed to loud noises.  On the other hand, the group who got a full night’s sleep experienced no memory loss of the learned pairing even when exposed to stressful conditions. 

The researchers explained that while “losing half a night of sleep may not impair memory functions under baseline conditions, the addition of acute cognitive stress may be enough to lead to significant impairments, which can possibly be detrimental in real-world scenarios.”   Furthermore, Cedernaes added that, "An important next step will be to investigate how chronic sleep loss and or more chronic stress may interact to impair the ability to retrieve memories that are consolidated during sleep.”   

In another study from Uppsala University, the same group of researchers discovered that elderly men with a history of sleep problems appear to have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.  Their findings suggest that “strategies aimed at improving sleep quality in late life may help reduce the risk to develop Alzheimer's disease." They also note the importance of following a healthy lifestyle such as a good diet and exercise. 

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most respected agencies in Central Texas for non-medical home care.  With three offices located in the greater Austin area, we provide senior care, recovery assistance and respite for family caregivers as well as assist clients dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, Parkinson’s and more. Please contact us to discuss our range of options for providing your family peace of mind with professional home health care.

Sources:uu.se/en/media/press-releases/pressrelease/?id=2778&area=3,8&typ=pm&lang=en

seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/2014/20141028_Elderly-Men-Reporting-Sleep-Problems-at-Higher-Risk-for-Alzheimers-Disease.htm