Caring for a loved one with Alzheimers often leads to such symptoms as denial, anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and irritability.  It can be an all-consuming 24-hour-a-day, seven-day a week grind.

What can you do?  At Expert Home Care, we suggest the following:

• Manage your stress level. Use various relaxation techniques to ease the stress and consult your doctor.

• Take care of yourself. Don’t ignore your own health, or you’ll suffer burn out.   Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of sleep.

• Join a support group. There are many others out there like you and there is support in numbers.

• Do legal and financial planning. There are issues that need to be discussed – make sure you take care of these sooner rather than later.

• Give yourself a break. Bring in a home health aide to assist with the activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding) or to help around the house.  This can help you recharge your batteries several hours during the day or, by choosing respite care, for a long weekend.

• Don’t be a martyr. You are not expected to do it all alone.  Seek the support of family, friends and community resources.

New Jersey’s Expert Home Care for Elders and Seniors has been providing senior care, home care & live-in care for your aging loved ones since 1984. Please call us when you need help at 800-848-2336. Click for a Free Home Care Consumer Guide for selecting the most appropriate home care agency for your loved one.

Posted By: Frank

Alzheimer’s Association tells us that memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging.

Alzheimer’s disease, a fatal brain disease that gets worse over time and causes changes in thinking, reasoning and behavior. Although the disease is more common in people 65 and older, it can also strike those in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Here is a list of Alzheimer’s warning signs to help you understand if it’s serious health concern. If you notice any of these signs don’t ignore them,  see your doctor for a check up. There are other conditions, some that are treatable, that could be causing the signs.

1. Memory Loss
Not normal: Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia.

Normal – Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Not normal: People living with memory loss or dementia find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. 

Normal – Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.

3. Problems with language
Not normal: They often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand.

Normal - Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

4. Disorientation to time and place.
Not normal: Become lost – forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.

Normal - Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.