Question

What measures would you put into place for someone with Alzheimer's Disease? Think of nursing assignments, room placements, alarms, sun downing, meds, and communication + education for families?

Answer 1

ANSWER:

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Measures that I would you put into place for someone with Alzheimer's disease are

Ø Reduce frustrations: A person with dementia might become agitated when once-simple tasks become difficult. Reduce frustrations by

- Schedule wisely: Establish a daily routine

- Take your time. Anticipate that tasks may take longer than they used to and schedule more time for them. Allow time for breaks during tasks.

- Involve the person: Allow the person with dementia to do as much as possible with the least amount of assistance.

- Provide choices. Provide some, but not too many, choices every day.

Room placements: Rooms need to design properly for the benefit for the patient. A space that feels like "home" and is personalized with photos, mementos and other familiar items will help your loved one keep their sense of identity and belonging.

Couches and chairs should be soft and comfortable with solid colors. Furniture should also be positioned to encourage engagement with others or face outdoors. Avoid simply positioning furniture in front of a television.

Color contrasts between furniture, fixtures, walls and floors help seniors differentiate between different surfaces in order to safely navigate their home. For instance, contrast bed linens and drapes with walls and flooring. In the bathroom, use colored towels that contrast with the bathroom walls.

Rugs and furniture should not be highly patterned or have strongly contrasting colors because some with memory loss have trouble with spatial awareness and can perceive darkly contrasting patterns as holes or perceive flecks of color as spots that need to be removed.

Alarms: Using alarm for Alzheimer's patient is very useful to remind them their activities like taking bath, exercise, medication times and other recreational activities.

Sun downing:

Look for signs of sundowning in the late afternoon and early evening. These signs may include increased confusion or anxiety and behaviors such as pacing, wandering, or yelling. If you can, try to find the cause of the person’s behavior.

Being too tired can increase late-afternoon and early-evening restlessness. Try to avoid this situation by helping the person:

- Go outside or at least sit by the window—exposure to bright light can help reset the person’s body clock

- Get physical activity or exercise each day

- Get daytime rest if needed, but keep naps short and not too late in the day

- Get enough rest at night

- Avoid things that seem to make sundowning worse

- If sundowning continues to be a problem, seek medical advice.

Medications: Putting locks on medicine cabinets for safety measures are necessary. Medications should not be left available and unattended to avoid any use of medicine by mistakes. If medication is prescribed to help the person relax and sleep better at night, be sure to find out about possible side effects.

Communication:

- Communication skills may deteriorate, but the senses usually remain intact

- Provide simple instructions:People with dementia best understand clear, one-step communication.

Education for families:

o Family of Alzheimer's disease patient needs to know how to take proper care for their love ones.

o Family members should involve in taking care, making sure the patient did regular check-ups and encourage him/her in performing daily activities.

o Help family and friends realize what the person can still do and how much he or she still can understand.

o Give suggestions about how to start talking with the person.

o Avoid correcting the person with Alzheimer’s if he or she makes a mistake or forgets something. Family and friends should respond to the feelings expressed or talk about something different.

o Family and friends should plan fun activities with the patient, such as family reunions or visiting old friends. Video calls can be a great way to connect, too. Call or video chat at times of day when the person with Alzheimer's is at his or her best.

o Viewing a photo album together can help if the person is bored or confused and needs to be distracted. Family and friends could also create a care package or make a photo album or video to send to the person.

o Respect the person’s personal space, and don’t get too close.

o Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible. Be patient when someone has trouble finding the right words or putting feelings into words.