It is one thing to learn and research certain ailments affecting seniors, but it is another thing to care for seniors afflicted with such diseases. Seniors that require in-home care are already unable to do many things alone and require the support of a caregiver to function normally. In order for seniors to be treated with dignity, respect, and affection, , caregivers should have a firm understanding of their patient’s ailments and how to care for them.
Alzheimer’s Disease
An ailment afflicting many seniors is Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia generally diagnosed to those 65 
and older. Those affected suffer from memory loss and general disorientation, as well as confusion and difficulty with certain brain functions, such as coping skills and anger management. While each experience is different, these symptoms tend to be common with most afflicted with the ailment.
The cause of Alzheimer’s is not truly understood, though there are many theories. There seems to be a direct correlation between the lack of mental stimulation and poor overall health and the onset of Alzheimer’s, as well as genetics and certain biological factors.
What Can A Caregiver Do?
Sadly, there is no cure for the disease. Caregivers can expect frustration, sometimes anger, and agitation from their patients, as they slowly begin to find an inability to do simple things they once could do independently. Anger and depression are also common, and caregivers should be ready for that at any time.
Many studies and reports suggest certain activities that those afflicted with the disease can do in order to function better. A lack of mental stimulation is believed to be one of the primary causes of the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Even those with the disease in its early stage can potentially benefit from mental stimulation exercises and games on a regular basis, as it has been found in some studies that proper stimulation and can reduce or delay the loss of certain brain functions. Unfortunately, it is not believed that it can reverse the disease, only delay some problems.
Here is a list of certain things that a healthcare nurse can assign for a senior patient:
- Memorize certain things, like grocery lists or names of people
- Playing chess, checkers, cards and solving crossword puzzles
- Reading, listening to music, dancing, and attending art events or going to museums.
Above all, patience is one of the most important qualities a caregiver can have – not just for Alzheimer’s patients, but for seniors afflicted with any disability, malady, or disease. There is no cure for the Alzheimer’s, but an in home caregiver can work to make the ailment less difficult to bear and a bit more tolerant and comfortable for the patient.
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