Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases. It is a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms worsen over time, requring the increasing need for care.
The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and most people are diagnosed at age 65 or older. Early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur in younger people, but it is rarer.
People with Alzheimer’s typically require increasing care during the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s progression. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s ranges from person to person, depending on the stage they may be in.
For many people, caregiving comes directly from an existing support system, such as family and friends. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of help provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers.
Caring for family members can be stressful and time-consuming, especially if you are working and have other family members to take care of. Below are some tips to help caregivers during each stage of Alzheimer’s progression.
Early Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, people may experience changes in thinking, memory, and reasoning that can affect day-to-day life. As a caregiver, you can do several things at this stage to support the care recipient. Here are a few tips to help caregivers during the early stage of Alzheimer’s progression:
- Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a calendar or notebook.
- Create designated places to keep important items like keys, glasses, and a phone.
- Allow the person to manage their own care as much as possible to maintain independence.
Moderate Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease
During the moderate stages of Alzheimer’s, people may experience more noticeable memory loss, personality changes, confusion, and trouble doing daily activities such as bathing and getting dressed. Here are a few tips to help caregivers during the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s progression:
- Try to keep a consistent routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time daily.
- When communicating, keep it simple by using short and direct sentences and questions.
- If the care recipient is frustrated, reassure them. Speak in a calm voice and let them know you are there for them. Try to be understanding if that person becomes angry or fearful.
Late Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease
During the late stages of Alzheimer’s, symptoms can include losing the ability to communicate, increased memory loss, inability to walk or sit up, difficulty swallowing or eating, and agitation and restlessness. Here are a few tips to help caregivers during the late stage of Alzheimer’s progression:
- Speak in a soothing voice, hold their hand, or play soft music to continue communication.
- Try to keep the person comfortable by managing pain and helping them move around to prevent bed sores.
The most important tip for caregivers is to take care of yourselves. Caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s can be stressful and lonely. It can be hard to make time for yourself, but ultimately, you will be able to take better care of others by taking care of yourself along the way.
For more specific tips for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s, visit Alzheimer’s.gov.
Resources:
Alzheimer’s Association- What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s Association- Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
Alzheimer’s.gov- Tips for Caregivers and Families of People With Dementia