Many
people who are caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia often
feel as though they have no support, they don’t know what to do, or they feel
as though they are drowning. Alzheimer’s
and dementias are beginning to be diagnosed much more frequently due to more
research and the fact the aging population is growing and living longer.
The
disease is devastating to a family unit, leaving most with a ghost of a loved
one they once lived with and enjoyed life with.
Experts have found that most Alzheimer’s patients go through seven
stages of the disease progression. The
duration and symptoms might vary, but the general decline of Alzheimer’s
remains the same.
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1. No Impairment Individuals at this stage show no marked decline in their cognitive function. No memory problems show up on a regular basis. 2. Very Mild Impairment Forgetfulness begins. The patient begins to forget names and small details, like where they put their glasses or if they took their medication that morning. 3. Mild Decline At this point, family and friends begin to notice the symptoms. Losing things is more common, and the patient might begin having performance issues at work. 4. Moderate Decline The problems are now clear in medical interviews. The patient begins forgetting personal history, recent events, and how to handle complex tasks, such as planning dinner or paying bills. They could begin acting withdrawn or subdued in social situations. 5. Moderately Severe Decline While the patient may remember their own name and the names of those important to them, they begin to forget basic information, such as the current date, time, or season. Day-to-day tasks like cooking may no longer be safe. 6. Severe Decline In this phase, the patient needs more help with basic activities like dressing and using the toilet. They might also experience behavioral changes, such as feeling suspicious or experiencing hallucinations. Someone at this stage might engage in repetitive behaviors or wander away, only to become confused and lost. 7. Very Severe Decline In this final stage, the patient may lose the ability to speak coherently. They may need help with general hygiene, and may eventually lose muscle coordination and the ability to control movement. Their muscles typically grow rigid, the reflexes become unpredictable, and eventually even swallowing could become impaired. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be exhausting and frustrating, but you don’t have to go it alone. There are many services that can help, such as Touching Hearts Senior Care. Our caregivers go through extensive training for Alzheimer’s and dementia. At Touching Hearts we feel it is imperative that our caregivers know how to respond appropriately to an individual suffering with dementia. A Caregiver support group has been formed by the founder of Touching Hearts Senior Care, Gina Germany, the group meets every third Tuesday of each month at 6 pm – 7 pm at the Business Innovation Center, 1301 Azalea Rd., Room 204, Mobile, AL 36693, phone 251-445-4204. |
