Caring For Patients With Alzheimer'S And Other Dementias

Course overview

The course begins by addressing memory and communications challenges and suggests specific memory aids caregivers can employ to help the AD patient function as independently and as safely as possible. Methods of stimulating memory and other cognitive functions may help prevent social withdrawal and withdrawal from the larger environment that often occurs as the disease progresses. Specific strategies for enhancing reality-orientation are presented, as are ways of improving communication. Strategies for dealing with specific moods and emotional states such as anxiety and nervousness, wandering and restlessness, combativeness and anger, clinging behavior, depression, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and hoarding and hiding possessions are detailed. General home safety guidelines are presented so that the caregiver can make the home as safe an environment as possible. Suggestions are given for dealing with loss of coordination, incontinence, bathing, dressing and undressing, and dental hygiene. The course goes on to describe some of the most common challenges caregivers face around mealtimes and nutrition including inadequate food intake, increased appetite, disruptive behavior, and problems with chewing, swallowing, and drooling. Strategies to help ensure mealtime success and enhanced nutritional intake are reviewed. Issues affecting exercising and socializing are addressed along with strategies for obtaining adequate exercise and handling social events and encounters. This course will next explore alternative living arrangements that may be necessary at some point during the disease process. Arrangements such as having someone come into the home, adult day-care, foster care, nursing homes, state mental hospitals, and respite care are reviewed. Legal and financial issues that must be addressed with and for the patient are described.