Even though there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, you can lessen some of the worst symptoms with a comprehensive treatment plan. Studies have revealed that lifestyle habits play a major role in Alzheimer’s, and you can greatly boost your senior loved one’s quality of life by making some simple changes. Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to provide world-class care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
1. Create a Strict Routine
One of the most effective ways to minimize the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is to follow a strict daily routine. Your loved one should eat meals and take medications at the same times every day. You must also come up with a bedtime routine your loved one follows every night. Sticking to that routine can enhance your loved one’s sleep schedule and help him or her avoid fluctuating energy levels. It might also enhance your loved one’s demeanor, making your job much easier in the coming years.
One of the most important things to consider is whether and when to hire a professional caregiver for your loved one. Families looking for top-rated home care service providers can reach out to Senior Stride Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
2. Keep Your Loved One Occupied
Seniors with Alzheimer’s often become reclusive, but isolation can worsen the symptoms of the disease. Throughout the day, you should have plenty of activities planned for your loved one, including mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles and board games. Studies have revealed that challenging activities can boost cognitive and emotional health.
A professional caregiver with experience in Alzheimer’s care can be an outstanding resource when it comes to cognitive stimulation for your loved one. Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Senior Stride Home Care, a leading provider of Oshkosh homecare services. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
3. Encourage Exercise
There are quite a few reasons seniors with Alzheimer’s need to remain physically active. In addition to keeping your loved one at a healthy weight, exercising may stabilize his or her sleep schedule. If your loved one doesn’t seem to be sleeping at night, try to find at least a few rigorous activities he or she enjoys. Going on long walks, gardening, and doing household chores are all great options for seniors with Alzheimer’s.
4. Limit Distractions
You might be able to block out television shows and radio chatter, but those distractions could consume your loved one. They could also make conversations and mealtimes very difficult, which is why you need to create a quiet and relaxing environment inside the home. Putting heavy drapes over the windows and removing clutter from the walls could put your loved one at ease as well. Every senior with Alzheimer’s is slightly different, so you’ll need to make gradual changes around the home until you create the perfect environment for your loved one.
5. Make Sure the Home Is Safe and Secure
Household accidents are extremely common among seniors with Alzheimer’s, and you must do everything in your power to make sure the home is as safe as possible. All medications and toxic cleaning products must be locked away in a cabinet or placed where your loved one can’t reach them. Many caregivers also install wireless monitoring systems that include cameras, smoke detectors, and fire alarms.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Oshkosh Senior Stride Home Care provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our proprietary Cognitive Therapeutics Method was designed to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Senior Stride Home Care at 920-717-1767 today.