Among the common ailments that affect seniors, Alzheimer’s disease is probably one of the most heartbreaking. With this ailment, seniors gradually forget their happy memories. They are slowly unable to recognize their beloved family members. More importantly, they lose their ability to move independently.
However, seniors who are living with Alzheimer’s at an assisted living facility in Silver Spring, Maryland should not live their life in despair. Despite the ailment, there are top tips seniors and providers of senior care services can follow for better living. Here are some of those tips for seniors with Alzheimer’s.
- Establish a Routine
Seniors with Alzheimer’s easily get confused. Thus, to mitigate the challenge of confusion in seniors with the said ailment, it is important to establish a routine. This will include the time for meals, bathing, dressing, taking medicine – basically, all the tasks a senior has to carry out in daily life! Even the simple act of filling water into a cup for brushing the teeth must be included in the said routine.
- Keep the Environment Calm and Quiet
Loud noises can overstimulate Alzheimer’s patients. When they are overstimulated, it will cause mood changes and confusion. Thus, the place where the senior with Alzheimer’s disease lives must be kept quiet and calm. No loud conversations or TV noises. No crowds as well, even if they are all close family members.
- Be Empathetic
Living with Alzheimer’s means being constantly plagued with fears. This is especially so with their personal safety. Since they forget about a lot of things, they tend to be anxious when they are unable to piece two and two together. Thus, if a senior is afraid or gets anxious, don’t just brush it off. Learn to deal with it by listening to their fears. If they are afraid that someone might break into their house, walk around the house and check the locks. You’ll be able to put them at ease that way.
- Let Them Be as Independent as They Can Be
A senior who has Alzheimer’s is not necessarily invalid. What that means is that they are still able to perform most of their chores. There is no need to treat them as if they will fail in whatever they do. You can let them do some simple tasks such as grooming, bathing, and eating. Of course, you have to watch over them so that they don’t hurt themselves (i.e., slipping in the bath or choking on their food).
Living with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t have to be unpleasant. A senior can still live and age gracefully with these tips, regardless if they are at a residential care in Maryland or not. If you require assisted living for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease, Nu-Life Assisted Living, Inc. has our doors opened for you. Please contact us at 301-933-2842 so we can discuss the senior’s care requirements.