A diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease is never easy, but this article explains how Alzheimer’s and dementia care can help, and when you should start it.
What Are Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia?
Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia and both are neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s accounts for approximately 60%–70% of the total cases of dementia. Dementia impedes the normal cognitive functions of the brain. And it’s a progressive disease; it gets worse over time. About 30 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, medical science does not have a clear understanding of the causes of Alzheimer’s, but it appears that about 70% of the risk of developing the disease comes from genetic factors.
Forgetting recent events is usually the first symptom to present in an Alzheimer’s patient. As the disease progresses, more and more symptoms arise. These symptoms include disorientation (getting lost easily), loss of motivation (e.g., eating, exercising, getting out of bed, etc.), misremember where you are, problems with language, mood swings, neglecting self-care, and (sometimes violent) behavioral problems.
Alzheimer’s And Dementia Care Works Best When Started Early.
When the disease is diagnosed early, then Alzheimer’s patients typically don’t need any special care, right away. But they will need care eventually, and when they do, there are benefits to receiving care that is tailored to Alzheimer’s patients specifically. But Alzheimer’s is a tricky disease. It manifests itself in different ways and at different speeds in different patients. That makes providing Alzheimer’s and dementia care difficult.
Alzheimer’s and dementia care should always be customized to the patient. As more symptoms evolve, the more personalized the care should become. But there are benefits to beginning care right after a diagnosis, even if the dementia patient doesn’t need care yet. By implementing simple routines and procedures before memory loss becomes significant, an Alzheimer’s patient can become accustomed to these new routines. This can produce great results later on and make caring for the patient as the disease progresses easier and more efficient.
With Alzheimer’s And Dementia Home Care, Patients Can Receive All The Care They Need In Their Own Homes.
Alzheimer’s patients don’t need to move into specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care homes. They can receive the special care they need in their very own homes. Early on, in-home Alzheimer’s care might be as simple as a caregiver visiting them and chatting for a while to see if and how the disease is progressing. Caregivers can also remind their clients to take medication and they can take care of some household chores while they’re there.
Executive Home Care
To learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia care, please get in touch with us via our website or call (888) 963-9133.