Tips for Coping with Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease.
Deciding on late-stage care for Alzheimer’s can be one of the most difficult decisions families face. There are many good ways to provide quality care. Remember, regardless of where the care takes place, the decision is about making sure the person receives the care needed.
Alzheimer’s disease affects a person’s physical as well as their mental capacity. At the final stage, the person will require more intensive and non-stop caregiving: dressing, eating, using the bathroom, and other ordinary tasks.
At this stage, communication becomes difficult, and the person loses the ability to have a conversation. They might need assistance in order to walk, and their muscles might become rigid or possess abnormal reflexes. As the disease progresses they will likely also become unable to control their bladder or to swallow. At this stage, it is important to watch for infections; there is an especially high chance of pneumonia.
Though they have trouble speaking, your loved one is still “there.” They feel emotions such as calmness, fear, and love. Your main focus will be remain calm while providing for their physical well-being. You might read to them, look at old photographs, play music they might like, give them some potpourri to smell, or make them a meal they would enjoy. Think about the basic life pleasures that many of us take for granted – these are the kind of things your loved one can take pleasure in at this point.
At this stage your loved one with Alzheimer might not be moving, eating and other problems. Here are some tips on how to help with the nutritional needs:
Serve meals at the same time each day.
Make the eating area quiet. Turn off the TV, CD player, or radio.
Offer just one food at a time instead of filling the plate or table with too many things. Maybe a soup, a smoothie or something easier to eat.
Use colorful plates so the person can see the food.
Control between-meal snacks. Lock the refrigerator door and food cabinets if necessary.
Make sure the person's dentures are tight fitting. Loose dentures or dentures with bumps or cracks may cause choking or pain, making it hard to eat. Take poorly fitting dentures out until the person can get dentures that fit.
Tell the doctor if your family member loses a lot of weight, for example, if he or she loses 10 pounds in a month.
This stage of the disease is one that is difficult for caregivers, both on an emotional and on a physical level too. You might be feeling sad or numb to any feeling. Consider receiving support to address your own feelings to confront your grief.
This is the time when you’re most likely to need to move the person to a facility where they can receive the proper care. This is a decision that will require lots of research and education to make sure you’re making the right choice.
For more information about late-stage Alzheimer, read this article from Alzheimer’s association (alz.org) https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/late-stage.
Our team at Argo understand what you are facing as a caregiver, feel free to contact us for advices and to schedule a tour. Your well-being is just as important as the Alzheimer’s victim.
