Alzheimer’s Disease in the Nursing Home can be difficult and overwhelming. This progressive disease leads to an overall decline in quality of life for the elderly. Nursing Homes play an important role in helping families and loved ones manage this disease. Navigating Alzheimer’s Disease within the nurturing environment of a Nursing Home is difficult but necessary in ensuring your loved ones receive the care and support they deserve.
Key Interventions to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease in Nursing Homes:
Alzheimer’s disease in the nursing home requires a multitude of interventions, some of which work better than others. I have worked as an Occupational Therapist for over 40 years in nursing homes. I learned that a program that focused on care unique to the resident was the most beneficial. Here are a few suggestions of what to look for when attempting to deal with this devastating and difficult disease:
- Focus on the specific individual with a plan to address their unique emotional, physical, and cognitive needs. Family members are very helpful in letting the healthcare staff know the personalities, likes, and dislikes of their family members.
- Communication strategies to help the resident manage behavioral symptoms. Speak slowly or directly to the resident, eye-to-eye.
- Be consistent with routines to help decrease anxiety and promote a sense of comfort. Bring family photos, familiar items, including furniture from home. Place a picture of the resident on their door when they were in their 20s or 30s to help them locate their room.
- Manage medications as prescribed by healthcare professionals
- Physical exercises such as walking, chair exercises, and stretching are a few activities that help calm the nerves.
- Play music from the early decades to trigger memories and reduce agitation.
- Engage them in activities to stimulate cognitive functioning, such as puzzles and interactive games.
- Cook foods from the holidays, such as cookies or apple pie, to stimulate memories.
Aunt Peggy’s Decline into Alzheimer’s
No one in our family could believe that our take-charge, in-control, energetic, highly educated Aunt Peggy would be diagnosed with a fast, debilitating Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It began with her not being able to find her way back home while out getting groceries. Even though she had grown up in the town that she was living in at the time, she had been away for many years. Uncle Gerry and Aunt Peggy had moved into a not-so-familiar neighborhood, and since she was in her early 70’s, we just wrote it off to the aging process. After all, they had recently moved back to town so that my Uncle could get much-needed medical assistance since he was not in the best shape after multiple heart attacks. Aunt Peggy had been taking care of him, managing his medications, cooking nutritious meals, and taking him to his doctor’s appointments.
Role Reversal with Progressive Decline:
Then something happened, and their roles reversed. As Aunt Peggy’s cognitive decline continued, she began to forget the names of family members. I noticed how my uncle would give her the name when someone walked up so that she would not be embarrassed. And, together, they were able to deal with it until it became so noticeable that the family knew that something had to be done. It didn’t take long before my Uncle was caring for my Aunt, and family stepped in to assist. This continued until my Uncle Gerry passed away, leaving Aunt Peggy to move to another town to live with family. As the progression into Alzheimer’s quickly continued, she was admitted to a nursing home. We watched her deteriorate in all aspects of life, including cognitive and physical decline, significant weight loss, and becoming bedbound and dependent on staff for all her needs.
What Did I Learn About Alzheimer’s Disease?
Watching Aunt Peggy deal with Alzheimer’s and the devastating impact it had on not just her but also my Uncle and Cousins was difficult to watch. I was amazed at how fast the decline came. My family witnessed the emotional roller coaster that my cousins were on, trying to do the best that they could for their Mother. I saw how a strong and loving family banded together to manage this devastating disease and vowed that I and my siblings would do the same if needed.
Mental Stimulation for Alzheimer’s Disease:
There are numerous sites to turn to when learning how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. As for me, I have focused on some key aspects that I incorporate into my daily life. To start with, I try to eat healthy and exercise regularly. In addition, I have turned to an awesome product to deal with gut health, weight management, and mental well-being. If you are interested in learning more about these products, discover them here. if you are in need of assistance in achieving better health. In addition, I have taken up new hobbies and am trying to learn a new language to stimulate my brain.
In Conclusion:
Alzheimer’s Disease in Nursing Homes plays a crucial role in providing effective care and treatment for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. But, to minimize my personal risk, I have implemented various strategies of my own. Learn more about it here!
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