Home Care Guide
Christopher Downie
How do you talk to parents about care at home?

How do I talk to a love on about their health? - CareChooser Home Care Guide - 2020

How do you talk to parents about care at home?

Alzheimer's

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Alzheimer's

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Our home carers have thousands of hours experience working with and supporting people living with Alzheimer's. Below is our short guide giving you a quick overview of Alzheimer's disease. If we can help contact us at 0208 886 0686 or use one of the forms to schedule a callback.

Previous conditions covered:

 

Outline

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia. It's the most common dementia and it's estimated that 850,000 people are affected in the UK.

Alzheimer's is a physical disease which affects the brain and so is known as a neurological disease.  When a person has Alzheimer's, proteins build up in the brain and form plaque. These plaques cause a loss in connection between the nerve cells in the brain. This can cause nerve cells to die. 

There are factors that increase the risk of getting Alzheimer's though as yet the exact cause of the disease is unknown. These factors include severe head injuries, family history of Alzheimer's, age and lifestyle. 

Symptoms

Alzheimer's disease usually begins with difficulties with more recent memory such as forgetting recent conversations, events, names and places. 

Alzheimer's is progressive so difficulties will become worse over time which can lead to confusion, getting lost, difficulty with making decisions, problems with movement, self-care, mood speech, language, personality changes and difficulty judging distances. 

These difficulties will become increasingly severe and the person living with Alzheimer's may need more support from families. Some people with Alzheimer's may develop sleeplessness, aggression, hallucinations, seeing and hearing things that are not there and delusions and believing things that aren't true. 

Alzheimer's disease may eventually lead to difficulties with walking, eating and being aware of their surroundings and will need support with their daily lives.

Care

We are a dementia friendly organisation and we deliver the Alzheimer's Society's free 45 minute long Dementia Friends information session. This session takes a very positive view of dealing with dementia. One of it's key 5 messages is that it is possible to live well with dementia. We also strongly align to one of the key elements of the campaign to change the way people talk about dementia and changing from the use of the term 'dementia sufferer' to 'person living with dementia'. We regularly deliver the free Dementia Friends session and can also deliver it 1:1 to family members or to whole family groups. 

At this time there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's though it is possible to live well with the disease. In the news yesterday (31st January 2018) scientists have developed a blood test that can detect the build-up of toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. 

There are drugs that can provide some help with memory difficulties and can also help make regular activities such as cooking and shopping easier to manage as well as helping with concentration and motivation. There are other drugs that can help a person living with more severe Alzheimer's disease which can help again with memory, concentration and daily activities and can also ease delusions and challenging behaviours.

The products, support and activities below are from the guide on dementia, this support is also relevant for people living with Alzheimer's disease. 

There are lots of support, activities and therapies that can help a person living with dementia to live well. 

Lots of products exist that can assist in daily life such as anti-spill mugs, user-friendly utensils, talking or written word clocks, pill boxes and user-friendly phones. There are also new technologies incorporating the internet of things which monitor the use and also non-use of doors and electrical appliances. 

Many forms of cognitive therapies exist also that can aid a person's mind and keep them independent and living well. Local services and activities that provide singing and meet-ups providing enjoyment, stimulation and social interaction are often hugely valuable and worth looking into also. 

 

What is Dementia?

Q) What is Dementia?

A) An umbrella term describing the symptoms that are caused when the brain is affected by certain diseases and conditions.

The most common of these is Alzheimer's disease, followed by Vascular Dementia, Fronto-Temporal Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Last week CareChooser completed the Alzheimer's Society's brilliant Dementia Friend training. The training advocates 5 main points which CareChooser pledges to implement in it's home care.

  1. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing.
  2. Dementia is caused by diesase of the brain.
  3. Dementia is not just about memory loss.
  4. It is possible to live well with Dementia with support and understanding.
  5. There is more to a person that the Dementia.

There IS more to the person than the Dementia. Despite the negative associations, the stigma and the fear surrounding the disease. We need to look past the Dementia and see the person, their life and their acheivements.

Our home carers have a strong understanding of Dementia and can provide help and support to those with the condition to live well.

Dementia friendly activities

Supporting a loved one, diagnosed with dementia to take part in creative, stimulating activities can be hugely beneficial and can encourage independence, communication and social inclusion.

Keeping occupied and stimulated can bring pleasure, help to express feelings, relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, promote a sense of belonging and can be beneficial for mental and physical health.

Which activities are Dementia friendly?

Everyday tasks such as folding clothes, helping to prepare meals and drinks and laying the table are a simple way to keep loved ones involved and keep them active.

Multi-sensory activities can offer a different way of connecting with a person with Dementia such as planting lavender or mint, baking, playing with colourful, textured objects or with objects that make different sounds.

Drawing, painting and crafts make great activities that everyone can join in with. Gentle exercise and short walks are a great boost for physical well being and remembering happy memories from the past can boost mental well-being and self-esteem.

The Alzheimer’s Society provides Memory Cafes and has ‘Singing for the brain’ sessions which are free to those diagnosed with dementia and can also offer emotional support.

CareChooser has creative carers that are great at connecting and engaging those diagnosed with Dementia in stimulating activities. They can also take some of the strain, giving you back the time you need to spend with your loved one.

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How do you make your home Dementia friendly this Christmas?

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The Christmas period can be very difficult for those with Dementia and for family members of those with one of the many forms of Dementia.

Loud sounds, lots of people or indeed loneliness can be so difficult and confusing for those with Dementia, so how do you make your home Dementia friendly? Here are CareChooser's 8 small tips to make a difference to your festive period.

  1. Provide a quite space or area to retreat to.
  2. Give yourself and family members time to enjoy the festive period, is there someone who could help?
  3. Leave some lights on during the night.
  4. Leave a simple note or label on the doors of rooms to ease confusion
  5. Be empathic, make statements rather than questions - 'You are feeling... You want... '
  6. 1/3 of people with Dementia have been aggressive, this may be a sign of confusion, pain or communication. Try lowering your body, crouching down, speaking calmly.
  7. Use interests and likes to evoke memories.
  8. Try to find time for a call or a visit over the festive period.