According to a report almost 5.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The disease mostly impacts senior citizens (age- 65 and above). Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that can result in various problems such as loss of motivation, mood swings, disorientation and other behavioral issues. In many cases, the Patient may become violent often posing injury threats to themselves and anyone in their vicinity. To avoid such aggressive outbursts, and assist the patient improve their quality of life, Alzheimer caregivers need to come up with an Alzheimer home care plan. To help achieve this objective, the post lists some effective tips for caregivers. Take a look.

1. Prepare a Schedule

An effective home health care plan starts with preparing a schedule for the patient. The caregiver must identify a list of patient’s everyday activities such as bathing, eating and exercising. The caregiver must schedule the activities according to the best time to perform them. They must for instance, schedule tasks such as bathing and attending medical appointments during the morning (when the person feels most energetic and fresh).

2. Make the Home Secure for the Patient

Alzheimer patients often experience problems moving around without assistance. To ensure their safety when moving around in the house, get rid of the clutter and remove objects such as scatter rugs that may result in a fall. Illuminate the area adequately . If the person has a habit of wandering, install secure locks on doors and windows. Remove the bathroom locks.

3. Communicate Effectively

Communicating effectively with an Alzheimer’s patient can be a challenge, especially if they are in the advanced stages. To build trust and communicate with the person, use simple words and short sentences. To attract attention, address them by their name. When talking to them, minimize distractions by switching off the radio or the TV. Most importantly, talk to them in a respectful tone and change the topic if the person gets aggressive.

4. Involve the Patient

To help the patient feel a sense of accomplishment, it is important for you to involve them in the activities you plan for the person. Consult them when preparing a list of exercises. Let them perform daily activities such as setting the table and dressing by themselves. To assist them, provide visual cues or break the activity into different steps.

Epilogue

Alzheimer patients experience several problems such as incontinence, and inability to communicate effectively. To feel accepted, they need special care and support. Following these tips can help caregivers care for patients effectively, thereby, helping them improve their quality of life. Further, caring for an Alzheimer’s patient can be emotionally and physically taxing. It is, therefore, important for the caregiver to be patient when interacting with the person.