Helping Seniors Who Suffer from Alzheimer’s and Other Chronic Diseases
Alzheimer's and Dementia Care | September 14, 2018
What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB, Needs to Know About Disease Management
Helping Seniors Who Suffer from Alzheimer’s | According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are over 5 million people in the U.S. over 65 years old with this devastating disease. Alzheimer’s disease causes thinking and memory issues, as well as behaviour changes that eventually affect an adult’s work, family, and social relationships. Even basic activities of daily living become problematic.
Chronic Conditions in Alzheimer’s Patients
People with Alzheimer’s Disease in the U.S. have chronic health issues just the same as other older adults. People with dementia usually suffer from at least one other chronic disease or health condition. Other common medical problems include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, chronic skin ulcers, and retinal disorders.
Managing Health
Memory loss, lack of judgment, and inability to reason make healthcare management impossible. For example, an Alzheimer’s patient won’t be able to follow pharmaceutical or nutritional instructions and they also won’t recognize when conditions are worsening.
Caregivers Can Help
As a caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient, you may be able to lower the discomfort from chronic disease by overseeing the older patient’s safety and nutrition. You can also make provisions for adequate exercise and sleep.
Four Tips for How Caregivers Can Help
Tip #1. Living Area
Be sure living areas are safe. Since senior falls are common, secure a grab bar in at least the bath area. A shower bench will allow the adult to be safely seated during a shower.
Tip #2. Diet
Provide healthy food. The elderly patient needs healthy foods, especially for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Tip #3. Exercise
Encourage adequate exercise. Chronic conditions become more challenging as the disease worsens. The patient can use a stationary bike, exercise balls, stretch bands, or walk.
Tip #4. Sleep
Resolve sleep issues if possible. Sleeping through the night can be challenging for seniors with Alzheimer’s. Create a comfortable sleep environment to promote restful sleep, with regular sleeping and waking times.
Additional Things to Consider About Alzheimer’s
Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease cannot give details about additional symptoms or problems with medications. Remember that Alzheimer’s patients can’t tell you if something hurts so you need to pay attention as to whether there are noticeable signs of pain or discomfort.
Consult with the Alzheimer’s patient’s medical specialist for information and additional help. When working with an older adult suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, surround yourself with others who care, too.
Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is Proud to Offer a Wide Range of Home Senior Care Services
Our trained caregivers will ensure your loved one is comfortable, independent and safe in their home. On top of that, we will also aim to enhance their overall health, quality of life and general happiness.
Top-Notch Home Healthcare for Seniors in Edmonton, Alberta
Comfort Keepers of Edmonton offers a broader range of senior care services. We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, and senior living transition services. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can provide 24-hour care and more!
Helping Seniors Age-in-Place with Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™
Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs. Our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. We strive to stimulate our clients emotionally, mentally and socially, thus enhancing their overall quality of life.
Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). The system increases seniors’ sense of well-being, independence and companionship by focusing on Senior Mind, Senior Body, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Safety.
Affordable and Client-Directed Homecare is Available for Qualifying Albertans
Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services.
What is the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing Program (CDHCI)?
CDHCI is a great program provided by Alberta Health Services (AHS), allowing clients to choose an approved agency like Comfort Keepers Edmonton for Personal Care, Respite Care and Homemaking needs. The chosen agency can then bill AHS directly for services rendered for approved hours through Alberta Blue Cross. Read more about the program HERE.
Accredited Home Care Edmonton
Comfort Keepers® Edmonton was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. This honour demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton, AB.
To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.
Individualized Home Care Options
Long-Term Home Care, 24 Hour Home Care & Short Term Care Options Customized for You
