By Gary Skole, founder of AlzBetter
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Did you know that Alzheimer’s is currently the only disease in the top ten killers that continues to increase in prevalence? It is the most expensive disease to manage and the emotional toll it takes on patients and family members is immeasurable.
While most of the focus on Alzheimer’s awareness is about finding a cure, the care required for the five million Americans who currently live with the disease and needs of their caregivers are often secondary missions. However, there is much need for better care options now.
According to a recent AARP survey, most people would prefer to remain in their home for as long as possible as they age, as opposed to going into a care facility. However, one of the main reasons families place their loved ones into a care facility is because they cannot manage the complex behaviors that are common in Alzheimer’s and dementia.
What we’ve observed is that Alzheimer’s patients do well with structure and special programming, but currently there is a lack these elements in the home care environment. Facilities do a better job of providing structure and routine for dementia patients, but it is not the same as being at home – and rarely is it modified to fit the specific needs of the patient. Dementia is an individualized disease and a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work.
This is why we developed a new method for caring with those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. To create the proper structure, you must first determine the person’s current level of dementia and then, based on that finding, create a balanced day filled with activities that are important to the patient and appropriate to their current state. It is important to generate a daily schedule; but as the patient progresses through the disease process and important activities become harder to accomplish, this schedule will need to dynamically adapt with activities modified to match the current level of dementia.
To illustrate, many of today’s seniors grew up in a time when there were few electronics and they have always done a lot of reading. With dementia, reading becomes very difficult. Traditionally, books are taken away and the patient is placed in front of the TV or given children’s books, which can be degrading and often causes frustration (which is then seen as “problematic behavior”). In response to this, we have found that books containing subject matter that is meaningful to them (i.e. WWII, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra) but presented in a way that matches their current ability to read are extremely well received. Reading activity can then adjust with them as their cognitive levels decline, enabling them to continue their love of reading, resulting in more overall satisfaction.
This month, as we work to raise awareness of this taxing disease, we must also remember to focus on those living with it today. Until a cure is found, the care we provide to Alzheimer’s patients needs to evolve and create better living conditions for people we love as they continue on their journey through life.
For tips and advice about caring for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia or for more information about the tactics described above, visit www.alzbetter.com.
About the Author
Gary Skole has been in the home health care industry for more than 25 years and currently helps home care agencies learn how to better care for people with dementia through his company AlzBetter LLC. He can be reached at 856-281-1200.
