Memory loss and other types of cognitive impairment are not the only issues associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Many patients develop depression, frequent anxiety, restlessness and agitation. Continuing to live at home eventually may be inadvisable for safety reasons, even if family caretakers are there. An assisted living community like Western Slope Memory Care provides compassionate service as well as many opportunities to continue living a meaningful life.
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Anti-Anxiety Medication
Depending on the symptoms, a patient’s doctor may prescribe one of several anti-anxiety medications. These medications are generally very safe for older individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Nurse aides and other staff members at the memory care community make sure residents take their medicine as directed. Doctors will not prescribe drugs known to be unsafe for these patients. Examples included narcotics, certain sedatives, muscle relaxants and a number of antipsychotic drugs.
Respect and Dignity
Even while cognitively impaired, these community residents still appreciate being treated respectfully and as adults. Maintaining a sense of dignity is important. The community staff members offer friendly greetings to people who like to sit in wheelchairs in hallways and common areas, even if those residents don’t respond. If chairs are blocking visitors or other residents from walking by, one of the employees lets the person know the chair will be moved now before actually doing so.
Socializing and Staying Active
The right community offers many opportunities to socialize and stay active. Participating in physical exercise and mentally stimulating activities reduces anxiety and depression. These are mood boosters that also can improve memory and thinking ability. Physical and mental exercises may even slow disease progression.
Dealing With Sundowning
Many Alzheimer’s patients experience a negative mental state commonly called sundowning because it happens as the sun sets. Researchers theorize that timing may be connected with a person’s life in previous years. That can be an active and purposeful part of the day, with tasks such as cooking dinner and conversing with family. Someone who worked full-time might come home and start a load of laundry.
When community residents become restless and agitated, it’s helpful for people around them to be calm and make positive remarks. Adding brighter light to the person’s apartment may improve the situation. Being provided with a useful activity can create distraction and a sense of meaning.
Important Considerations
It’s usually unhelpful to try to correct or contradict Alzheimer’s patients when they are confused or remembering something inaccurately. This can make them feel irritable, anxious and even combative. Friends and family members often feel compelled to do this, perhaps as they would with someone who isn’t cognitively impaired. With Alzheimer’s patients, it’s typically best to agree and mentally travel with them back in time.
For instance, the person might ask if a relative can visit, but that individual has been deceased for years. Reminding the person about this will assuredly lead to distress and tears. The information seems brand new. Instead, talking about that relative as though he or she is still alive will keep the dementia patient calm. There truly is no reason to insist everything is remembered accurately.
