Alzheimer’s syndrome is an acquired pathology. It is characterized by the defeat of those lobes and centers of the brain that are responsible for the human “self”: logic, thinking, emotional-volitional sphere, memory, self-perception. The disease was named after the doctor Aloysius Alzheimer, who studied the brain tissue of a woman who suffered from a strange mental illness. Modern medicine uses the achievements of a scientist. Contrary to stereotypes, different social groups of people 60 years and older are susceptible to the disease.
The development of the disease
After the diagnosis, an Alzheimer’s patient can live from five to ten years, and the quality of his life depends on the adequacy of treatment and the quality of care. The first stage is characterized by symptoms that are easily confused with the usual manifestations of old age. You need to be careful not to overlook:
- Loss of short-term, sometimes long-term memory. It all starts with the fact that a person does not remember what he did recently.
- Loss of speech skills. The patient can remember the words of the daily lexicon for a long time.
- Loss of interest in previous hobbies and activities.
- Disorientation in space.
- The loss of a sense of time.
- Hiding an illness so as not to “upset” him/her.
IMPORTANT!
The above symptoms are not final, the doctor will tell you more about the disease. The stages can be “confused” and “mixed up”, so do not delay with medical help: you can make changes in symptoms for positive dynamics. The syndrome is insidious. Once you get used to one of its manifestations, several new ones immediately appear.
The development of the disease
It must be taken into account that there is no special cure for the disease, and your task is to ease the patient’s torment. This hard work can take up to 45 hours a week. Also, the syndrome requires large material costs: medicines, diet, means of small rehabilitation, hyena products and diapers, smartwatches, etc.
Let’s check out how we can help our loved ones:
- A daily routine with clearly defined routines is the basis of care for Alzheimer’s syndrome. The patient should know that waking up, eating, walking and going to bed are scheduled for the same time.
- “Training of the mind” by solving crosswords and logical problems. If the patient has a hobby – you need to constantly remind him about the hobby.
- Communication. The opinion that a person who loses his adequacy should be hidden from friends is a mistake. The ability to dialogue is preserved only at the first stage of the disease, it is not necessary to deprive an elderly person of this opportunity.
- Tactile interactions, touches, hugs. Continue to see an elderly relative as the person you know and love.
- Peace of mind. You can not respond with insults to insults and insults to insults. Moreover, it is forbidden to argue with the patient and “pull” him out of a fictional reality.
- Therapeutic physical education, designed specifically for the elderly. Movements should not be difficult, energy-consuming or causing discomfort.
- Diet. In the patient’s diet, it is necessary to increase the fat content at the expense of carbohydrates. Nuts, sea fish, fruits, vegetables and herbs will help you. Salty, fried and fatty foods are prohibited. Vegetables are prepared by cooking, meat is steamed.
- Comfortable conditions, the safety of living space, assistance in everyday routines.
The main question remains: How to take care of a patient while maintaining your own adequacy?
First of all, you can look for help from nurses, hospices, social workers, psychiatrists, volunteers and support groups for relatives of patients. There are even special courses where they teach the basics of caring for patients with Alzheimer’s syndrome. Secondly, you can learn to manage your own anger and stress. You should not scold a person who is unable to admit his inadequacy, lack of independence, inability to make a decision.
Don’t stop taking care of yourself. Emotional burnout will take away the patient’s support in your person. Do your best and do not demand unrealistic things from yourself. Give yourself the right to grief. You have lost a loved one-a wise, caring, adequate one. It will seem to you that you absolutely do not know who is next to you and who you care about.
Living conditions and diet for a patient with Alzheimer’s
The danger for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s syndrome is represented by: hotplates and gas equipment, electrical outlets, breaking dishes, slippery mats in the bathroom, cleaning chemicals, foreign medicines.
All you must know and do is to take care of yourself first. Only if you are healthy and feel well, can you care for someone.
If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact the nearest hospice for consulting and assistance.