Around the world, there are approximately 55 million people with Alzheimer’s disease and 6.5 million are in the U.S. Awareness is important, and that’s the goal of World Alzheimer’s Month each September.

One of the biggest stressors families face is learning a family member has Alzheimer’s disease. If you’ve had no exposure to the disease, it can be hard to navigate what comes next. What steps do you need to take to ensure your dad’s elder care needs are covered?

Attend a Doctor’s Appointment

Ask to meet with your dad’s memory care team. If his doctor hasn’t referred him to a neurology team yet, ask why. A memory care team has neurologists, social workers, and other professionals with experience in all stages of dementia. They offer valuable insight into what you should be doing to ensure your dad’s care needs are covered.

You may be given a book about Alzheimer’s stages and symptoms. One that is often given to families is Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers: A Practical Tips Guide. You can find copies online. It’s a short, easy-to-read, handy guide as you navigate through the stages of Alzheimer’s with your dad.

Gather Close Family and Friends

As you learn more about where your dad is and what to expect in the future, gather the family. He’s going to need a lot of support, even if he’s resistant. One of the first changes is going to be handing over his keys. His doctors will tell you that he needs to stop driving in the first stages. Make sure he has rides to his appointments, area businesses, and attractions.

He’ll have to stop cooking meals. The risk of forgetting something is cooking is high, and you don’t want him to start a kitchen fire. Make sure someone is available to cook meals with him or for him.

As the disease progresses, he’s going to need help with ambulation. He’s going to need someone to help him shower and dress. Oral care, skin care, and nail care are other aspects of care that he’ll need someone’s help with.

Talk to everyone in the family to find out who is available to help. Many of you are probably still employed. If you can’t stop working, it’s important to speak up. As your dad’s health worsens, he won’t be able to be left alone. He could wander away, so it’s important for your family to make sure he’s supervised 24 hours a day.

Insomnia is common in Alzheimer’s, and it’s something families don’t always expect. Your dad may start sleeping no more than two hours a night. Your options become to medicate him to sleep through the night or make sure someone in the home is awake at all hours. It’s exhausting.

Elder care services help both your dad and family caregivers. Make sure you arrange them sooner rather than later. Give your dad time to adjust to a new caregiver and get used to elder care in the early stages of the disease.

Sources:
https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/dementia-statistics/
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elder Care in St. Petersburg, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.