Alzheimer’s disease: Finding Caregivers for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely difficult. It is actually like caring for a newborn babe, but while a baby will slowly learn to function independently, patients with Alzheimer’s will lose what they have learned and will slowly become more and more dependent upon their caregivers.
Thus, it is important to find a caregiver that is both professionally-capable and caring since they will determine the progress that the patient will have, as well as their over all condition and behavior.
It is important diagnose them early if your loved one is elderly and shows signs of acting strange or symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Here are some tips in finding a good caregiver for an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient.
Choose a professional if possible
It is good to look for a person that is already well experienced in caring for people with Alzheimer’s. Not only will their experience come in handy when it comes to dealing with the patient’s medicines and medical routines, they will also be more patient because of prior knowledge. The stress level can be very high and the professional should be used to it.
One problem though in hiring these kinds of people is the potential high amount of money that you will need to pay for their salaries. Private Nurses and caregivers are expensive enough as it is without adding the burden of a specialization. If you just cannot afford to hire someone with enough experience, try one who has worked with elderly people and then give him or her materials that will make them familiar with the basics of the disease.
Choosing someone you know could be best
Nothing beats hiring someone that you already know or someone that you have already seen working. Patients with Alzheimer’s will have a lot of quirks and behavior problems that can be extremely irritating and difficult to deal with. Thus, it is important that you choose someone that you know will have a lot of patience and care. Unless you have been around an Alzheimer person you probably will not realize the difficulties you may encounter on a frequent, often daily basis. So it is very important that the person you choose can handle the stress and frustration that will accompany taking care of them.
Of course, if a member of the family can spare the time for the patient that is good. If not, you can ask for recommendations from people that you know. Chances are someone you ask will know someone who can take care of a person with Alzheimer’s.
Choose someone strong who can handle the patient
Although this is actually not a major issue in some cases, it may be in others. It is also important that you choose someone who can deal with the patient and the often back breaking tasks. Remember that, because the patient is fully dependent on the person taking care of them. That person will sometimes need to carry them or guide them when walking. Depending on the person and circumstances, the Alzheimer patient may have problems that force the caretaker to do back breaking tasks almost everyday. Unfortunately the Alzheimer person may not learn and be able to help the caregiver to ease their tasks.
Do not overlook getting the person help
When you have someone with Alzheimer’s or think they may have Alzheimer’s it is important to seek help as soon as possible. The longer they go without help could make the attendant problems worse and the patient may be confused even more if the proper medicines and care are not provided. Everyone with Alzheimer’s may have different outward symptoms and actions, but these are things that often can be mitigated if the person is diagnosed with the disease early.
Copyright © Honey B. Wackx
