Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us notice some slowed thinking and occasional memory problems. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. They may be a sign that brain cells are failing. To do their work, brain cells operate like tiny factories. They take in supplies, generate energy, construct equipment and get rid of waste. Brain cells also process and store information.
May is Mental Health Month, a time to recognize the importance of being aware of your own and family members’ mental health condition. Mental Health America is an organization which promotes awareness and offers resources to help. Click here to read information from them on learning the early warning signs of mental health conditions. If you want to help spread the word, they encourage you to use haghtags: #mentalhealthconditions and #MHMonth2015 and to follow them on Twitter by searching for their handle: @mentalhealtham .
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a mental health condition affecting as many as 5 million Americans. It destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, cognition and behavior. This disease affects not only the patient, but family and friends as well. It places great challenges on the caregiver with a wide range of pressures with physical, social, economic and psychological elements. Recognizing the symptoms, early diagnosis and planning can make some of these challenges more manageable.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that has no current cure, but treatments combined with the right services and support, can make life easier for millions of Americans living with this disease. No two diagnoses are the same, but Alzheimer’s can generally be broken-down into 3 stages. Stage one lasts 2-4 years leading up to diagnosis. The symptoms include recent short-term memory loss, losing personal items, confusion with time and/or place, difficulty handling money and poor judgment. Stage two lasts 2-10 years after the diagnosis and is generally the longest stage. The symptoms include increased memory loss, difficulty reading and writing, difficulty speaking and/or expressing thoughts, hallucinations and/or delusions and repeating statements. Stage three lasts 1-3 years and is generally known as the terminal stage. The symptoms include difficulty eating/swallowing, bowel and bladder problems, the inability to recognize family and friends, and the inability to communicate with words. Caring for someone with AD can be a difficult task because each day brings new challenges.
Planning for the care of an AD patient is a daunting task for the family. Learning about the disease, treatment options and care options are paramount to the overall well being of the patient and their family. During the early stages of AD, the family, with education and training, can generally care for the patient. There are also agencies available to care for AD patients if the family is unable to do so, or if they just need a little extra help. During this time, the family should also be learning as much as they can about the different types of care settings as an option during the advanced stages. The type of facility chosen depends on the level of care needed. These facilities include assisted living (ALF’s), skilled nursing (SNF’s), and Alzheimer’s special care units (SCU’s). Planning for this transition should be done well before admission as this allows the family to determine which facility best meets the need of the AD patient. It also helps to anticipate the cost of care and in finding the funds to help pay for it.
For more information please contact Assisting Hands Home Care at 281-540-7400 or visit us on the web at www.assistinghands.com, or www.alz.org.