Alzheimer's Disease
Home Health and Hospice Care for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
One of the best ways to ensure that our residents can lead a good life, despite having a severe or terminal illness such as Alzheimer’s Disease, is to gain the best home health and hospice care possible. It involves addressing the symptoms and discomfort caused by the illness and having as much information as possible will help you make the best health care decisions. With the correct Alzheimer’s care, even life at progressed stages can be enjoyed.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease that reduces and destroys brain cells, impacting memory, cognitive thinking, and social skills. Alzheimer’s symptoms worsen with time, but early indications of Alzheimer's disease include memory, thinking, and reasoning problems. Alzheimer's is currently incurable, and typically dehydration, malnutrition, and brain infections are the primary causes of death for patients with Alzheimer’s. It is the most common cause of dementia – which is an “umbrella” term used to describe several types of neurological disorders.
While there's no definitive way to prevent Alzheimer's or dementia, certain lifestyle factors can significantly reduce the risk. Research suggests that individuals who engage in regular mental and physical exercise, maintain a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, and manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes may have a lower risk of developing these conditions. Additionally, social engagement and cognitive stimulation, such as reading, puzzles, and learning new skills, can contribute to brain health and potentially lower the risk of cognitive decline.
About 6 million elderly Americans have Alzheimer's disease. An astounding 60%–70% of 50 million dementia survivors worldwide have Alzheimer's Disease and over 400,000 of those live in Oklahoma and Texas. Alzheimer's disease and dementia are sometimes used synonymously, but in-fact have different meanings.
Common dementia symptoms include challenges and issues with:
- Memory loss
- Focus and attention
- Misjudgment and loss in reasoning
- Comprehension
Common Alzheimer’s disease symptoms include:
- Difficulty remembering new information
- Disorientation
- Mood and behavior changes
- Forgetfulness and misplacing items
Alzheimer's disease and other dementia syndromes are common conditions for the elderly in Oklahoma and Northern Texas. Nevertheless, help from Centric Home Health and Hospice Care is available.
What Are The Seven Phases Of Alzheimer's?
Stage 1: Before Symptoms Appear
Alzheimer's causes changes to the brain even before symptoms occur. Regular primary care visits provide screening for early symptoms of Alzheimer's, which rise with age. If patients' cognitive capacities begin to decline, they may be approaching the second stage of Alzheimer's.
Stage 2: Basic Forgetfulness
Everyone forgets sometimes, and it happens more with age. Early Alzheimer's may mimic usual amnesia. Patients may forget their name and others' names or where they left their keys, but they can still drive, work, and socialize. However, memory lapses begin to increase. You may notice this before the patient does, if so you should get them treatment sooner to delay the development of symptoms.
Stage 3: Noticeable Memory Difficulties
This stage is more than just forgetting names and losing things. Patients may:
- Have trouble recalling reading books or articles
- Find planning and organizing harder
- Have trouble remembering names or words due to developing health problems
- Have trouble socializing or working
Patients may become more anxious and reject the problem throughout this stage. These sentiments are normal. Discussing medicines and care plans with the patient's doctor is the best method to manage symptoms.
Stage 4: More than Memory Loss
Patients will have memory issues for years at this stage. Their recall of the distant past is generally far better than remembering daily information like the news or a discussion from earlier in the day.
Common challenges can include:
- Day and location confusion
- More likely to get lost
- Impacted sleep patterns like daytime sleeping and night-time restlessness
- Choosing attire that is not weather appropriate
At this point, social settings that involve a lot of thought might be more difficult and cause moodiness or withdrawal.
Stage 5: Decreased Independence
The patient may have lived alone without any trouble until now. Patients may have problems recalling loved ones in this stage. They could also have difficulty forming new memories or even basic tasks like changing clothes.
Mental difficulties can occur such as:
- Hallucinations - Seeing what's not there
- Delusions - Misguided beliefs
- Paranoia - Believing people are against you
Stage 6: Severe Symptoms
This period may make communication challenging. Patients may still use words and phrases but talking about particular ideas (for example - like where they hurt), might be difficult. Anxiety, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia may persist. Patients may become increasingly angry as they lose their independence.
Be sure to discuss medications and behavioral techniques with your care team. Some people may remain happy and pleasant throughout their journey despite the behavioral changes.
Stage 7: Lack of Physical Control
Alzheimer's damages brain cells, causing significant mental and physical disability. The patient will require more help now. Walking, sitting, and swallowing may need constant care. Their limited movement makes them susceptible to illnesses like pneumonia. Keep their teeth clean, treat cuts and scratches with antibiotic ointment, and get them annual flu vaccinations to prevent infections.
Commonly Asked Questions for Alzheimer’s Patients
When Is Your Alzheimer's Or Dementia Patient Considered Eligible For Hospice Care?
With Alzheimer's and other dementia related diseases, patients fade slowly, making hospice timing challenging. Hospice patients typically have an expected lifespan of six months or less. Doctors are the most qualified people to estimate life expectancy. However, these symptoms indicate that hospice care may be best:
- The sufferer can hardly speak.
- The patient cannot walk and may be bedridden.
- The patient needs assistance eating, dressing, and grooming.
- The patient exhibits significant anxiety because of their condition.
What Can Hospice In Oklahoma And Texas, Do For A Patient With Alzheimer's?
Hospice care providers monitor patients daily and adjust their care plans. Hospice relieves physical and mental pain to keep patients comfortable and dignified by providing comprehensive Dementia care.
Individualized care plan: People living with Dementia often lose their capacity to communicate. Centric Home Health and Hospice will address Dementia-related pain, hydration, nutrition, skincare, recurring infection, and agitation.
Coordinated care at every level: The patient's neurologist or physician helps create a treatment plan. A team manager communicates with doctors, nurses, social workers, and clergy.
Hospice care organizes and distributes all diagnosis-related drugs, supplies, and equipment to ensure patients have everything they need. Hospice also provides emotional and spiritual support.
What Can Hospice In Oklahoma And Northern Texas, Do For The Family Of A Patient With Dementia?
Family members may need to make challenging healthcare and financial choices, care for others, and offer emotional support. Often times, families feel overwhelmed. Hospice Care services, in Oklahoma and Northern Texas, help families make difficult decisions like administering medication for a persistent illness.
By teaching families about proper care, we aid them in taking good care of their loved ones because communication and symptoms worsen as the patient's condition declines.
Financial Help: Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurances often fund hospice treatment, but families may need help due to their loved one's lengthy sickness. That’s why the teams and staff at Centric Home Health and Hospice, located across Oklahoma and Northern Texas, are here to help.
Respite care: It's difficult to care for a loved one as they pass. Hospice Care provides patients five days of inpatient care to allow caregivers a respite.
Hospice Care's Advantages In Oklahoma and Texas
You may have heard of specialist patient care or family support services from friends or relatives.
Comfort
Hospice helps patients and families cope with this difficult time and stay in familiar settings.
Focus
Hospice workers participate in the aging process, also known as EOL (End of Life), with loved ones and patients. Hospice cares for individuals, listens to, supports, and enhances patients' lives.
Reduced Rehospitalization
Some terminally sick patients visit the emergency department often, while others are hospitalized. Hospice lowers the likelihood of rehospitalization. A study of terminally ill nursing home residents found that hospice patients were 24% less likely to be hospitalized in their last 30 days than those who were not (24% vs. 44%).
Security
Home Health Agencies serving Oklahoma and Northern Texas, provide the peace of mind that medical help is always accessible. Centric Health provides 24/7 healthcare. Centric Health helps families care for their sick loved ones by providing training, tools, and support.
Why Is Centric Home Health and Hospice the Best Options for Patients With Alzheimer's Or Dementia?
Centric Home Health and Hospice is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. Our experienced team understands the unique challenges faced by patients and their families, and we are committed to providing personalized support throughout the journey. From skilled nursing care to physical therapy and hospice services, we offer a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of our patients. By choosing Centric Home Health and Hospice, you're choosing a partner who is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. Contact us today (1.855.942.3687) to learn more about partnering with us for your health journey.
Ready to make a difference? Join our team of compassionate caregivers or learn more about our available opportunities today.
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