Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease can seem like attempting to solve a constantly changing puzzle. Once you determine the solution to one segment, you discover that the picture has changed, and you need to reconsider your plan of action for the next levels of Alzheimer’s.

Trying to figure out the puzzle of Alzheimer’s care demands continuous education and a group effort, including professionals specifically trained in the numerous facets of Alzheimer’s disease support. Hired Hands Homecare provides the following tips, courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association, to help families in establishing care strategies throughout the levels of Alzheimer’s:

Early Stages: Family members can best assist a loved one with Alzheimer’s through planning together, offering a patient, calm, listening ear and memory prompts when needed. Strategies consist of:

Be a care advocate for your family member, offering emotional assistance and encouragement.
Help plan for … Read More »

Phyllis manning the booth at The Alzheimer’s Conference

Hired Hands Homecare is proud to present Cathy Wadleigh.  Ms. Wadleigh is an LVN, PAC Certified Trainer, and group facilitator specializing in grief recovery and family transition.

Informative sessions focusing on helping families and individuals adjusting to living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia will be held at the Hired Hands Homecare Pleasanton office on the first and third Tuesday of the month, with two sessions 11:30-1pm, and 4:30-6pm.

For more information, please contact Cathy at 925-413-2080, or email her at Cathy@AssistanceWithAging.com.

This week, an interesting story aired on NPR regarding how researchers are discovering how different types of light affect people.  What’s most impressive is how they’re using their findings, and applying them for helping Alzheimer’s patients and seniors.  Both the interview and the transcript can be found here.

Being prepared for the final stage of Alzheimer’s is key to continuing to help make life as meaningful as possible for someone you love.

The journey through Alzheimer’s disease can be compared to navigating a winding road that spans years, riddled with intermittent stops, starts, unexpected twists, and a plethora of unknowns. As the dedicated caregiver for an individual grappling with dementia, having foresight about what to expect around the next bend is paramount. This knowledge empowers you to not only be well-prepared but also to administer the most fitting and compassionate level of care in the final stage of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s, being a highly individualized experience, manifests uniquely in each person. Yet there are certain commonalities at every stage of the disease. When an individual transitions into the last stage, discernible challenges emerge, including struggles with eating … Read More »

“You can make it, but it’s easier if you don’t have to do it alone.” – Betty Ford

Alzheimer’s caregivers may feel as though they are the only ones who can provide the best care for an older loved one, but finding a care partner is vitally important.

As a family member caring for a loved one with dementia, you know firsthand how challenging it can be. It’s definitely never a role that Alzheimer’s caregivers should try to fill on their own. Yet, many caregivers struggle with seeking the support they need, intensifying stress and leaving minimal room for self-care, a vital aspect for those in caregiving roles.

See if you can relate to these top reasons given by family caregivers for attempting to provide care solo, and why they need to be reconsidered:

Dad would not want another … Read More »

Trusting someone you love to the care of someone else is never easy, particularly for a senior family member. Whether at home or in a facility, you’ll have questions you need answered. You will also want to be ready to advocate for an aging parent to proactively address any potential problems and also to quickly take care of issues that do take place.

For instance, review the following common situations and how to most effectively advocate should they arise with an older adult you love:

The person has dementia. A loved one with Alzheimer’s might not be able to effectively communicate their wishes and needs. As an example, a new caregiver may not realize that Dad wears inserts in his shoes and she may put his shoes on each day without them. Dad may not know how to communicate this … Read More »

Memory loss and dementia may seem synonymous. Yet it’s crucial to understand that long-term memory frequently remains intact long into the progression of the disease. For this reason, tapping into those distant memories is a good way to help an older adult with Alzheimer’s stay engaged in current conversations by connecting to the past. Reminiscing in dementia can help older adults:

Better connect to others through sharing stories
Instill self-confidence by bringing to mind the numerous accomplishments they have made as well as the lives they’ve impacted
Minimize some of the adverse effects of Alzheimer’s, such as restlessness, wandering, agitation, and more
Reduce negative emotions and stress by shifting the focus to happier times

Reminiscing in dementia, also known as reminiscence therapy, doesn’t have to be elaborate. Begin by cracking open a photo album and simply looking at pictures together. Then let … Read More »