TO DO’S

Identify homes that are geographically located close where you want the resident to live.

Call each home and ask if there is availability.

The ones that have openings, take a copy of this list and ‘show up’ for a visit.

When you arrive, ask to walk around immediately.

Look in each room, bedroom, bathroom and around the facility.

Look at the residents. Talk to the residents. Ask if they like it there.

Then sit down with this list, (one page of questions for each facility).

Ask the questions and write down the answers as you get them.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

How long has this facility been open?

Are you licensed?
May I see a copy of the license?
How many beds are there?
How many beds are available now?
How many staff are there?
How many staff are there from 6AM to 6PM each day?
Is there awake staff at night?
Does the home specialize in the disease that your parent suffers from (dementia, stroke, etc.)?
Is there a special care for Alzheimer’s or dementia?
What is the daily routine?
What activities are there daily?
What are the visiting hours?
Can residents bring personal items and furniture?
What common areas are there inside? Outside?
When are mealtimes?
Can I get a copy of the menu?
What was served yesterday for Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?
Where is the food prepared?
Are snacks provided between meals?
What kind of snacks?
How often do you shop for food?
If my loved one doesn’t want what is served, what is provided?
Who controls the medications?
Do you use med logs or a MAR record for each resident?
Who orders the medications?
If a resident is given the wrong medication, what do you do?
Do doctors come to the home?
When was the last doctor visit to the home?
Can residents continue to see their personal doctors?
In a medical emergency, who do you call for help?
Are paramedics available to come to the home in an emergency?
When was the last time they were called?
Can I get their phone number? (You want to visit them and ask about the home)
Do you do hospice care?
Is the charge the same?
If more, why – hospice is paid for by Medicare, what do you charge more for?
Can I get a list of people who have placed here to call for recommendation?
What is the cost per month?
What is your refund policy?
Do you charge extra for anything?
How often do you change your rates?
If my loved one dies there, do you refund the balance of money?
Does the facility have any complaints or lawsuits filed against it?
What is the complaint?
May I talk to one of your staff in private? If yes, ask the staff member about the facility and the owner.

Good luck … happy hunting.

The post Finding a home for your loved one appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

In reality, people in the earlier stages of dementia can do a lot of the things they’ve always done. They want to feel like they make a difference and contribute to their family’s and friends’ lives. As the disease progresses, they will need supervision and assistance to ensure their safety. But that doesn’t mean they can’t continue to be functional and happy for most of the time they have left.

The type of care dementia patients receive, as well as their living environment, greatly influence the joy they continue to get from life. The right type of care provides a better quality of life for the patient and reduces the stress of the caregiver. Here are some ways to support a healthy life for dementia patients so they can make the most of each day.

– Start by Establishing a Routine

Dementia patients lose the ability to recognize time in the way they once did. They get confused about when it’s time to do certain things. This confusion often gives way to frustration. Establishing a routine helps them relate to time in a different way. They may not know that they go for a morning walk at 9 in the morning and then have breakfast at 10. But they will know that their walk is the first thing they do after they get up in the morning and that they have breakfast when they get back inside. A routine helps eliminate the confusion and makes them feel safer and more comfortable.

– Create a Safe, Familiar Living Environment

Familiarity is the key to creating a comfortable living environment. Surprises like rearranging the furniture, or even a new bedspread in their room, can confuse them.

What kinds of things did they enjoy and find relaxing before their diagnosis? Was there a certain type of music they appreciated? Find out what kind of movies they liked. If they can’t provide answers, their family members probably can. Once you know what the person needs to help them relax, you can enjoy it together.

Spirituality is important to many people. That doesn’t go away with a diagnosis of dementia. The person might enjoy listening to sermons on TV, on audio tapes, or on the internet. Hymns that are performed with soft instruments can help them relax and provide a sense of calm. Just make sure your selections are appropriate for the person’s beliefs.

– Add Meaningful Activities

Dementia patients want to feel useful. Don’t assign them busywork just to occupy their time. Look for ways they can contribute to the workload. Some examples include:

• Folding laundry
• Dusting
• Grooming/walking a pet
• Organizing household items
• Tend the garden
• Setting the table

Activities become much more meaningful when they are things the person enjoyed doing in the past. The activities need to fit the individual. For example, a man who took care of the household repairs or worked on the family’s vehicles won’t feel useful washing the dishes. He might prefer something like helping you wash the car or fitting together pieces of pipe.

Other activities like working puzzles, doing arts and crafts, and playing music also have meaning. They help boost self-esteem and improve cognitive function.

– Engage in Conversation

Caring for a person with dementia takes a lot of time, energy, and patience. When there’s a lot to be done, it’s easy to overlook the need to just sit down and talk with them. Expressing their thoughts is important to them and to you. It helps you identify their needs and feelings so you can be a better caregiver. Patients who can’t remember what happened hours or minutes earlier can often recall older memories in great detail. This is something that usually gives them a great deal of pleasure.

One way to help is by using family photos. Look through the albums together and let them tell you about the photos they recognize. You can repeat this activity frequently without them getting tired of it. If they don’t always get the names or stories right, just ignore it. It isn’t unusual for their recollection of events to change daily.

– The Do’s and Don’ts of Caregiving

Spend your time together with the goal of helping the patient relax. They need to know they are in a safe environment where they feel somewhat in control. To help create a safe and comfortable environment:

• Do – adjust activities to meet the skill level of the patient. The best activities provide a challenge while also giving them a sense of accomplishment. Choose activities that aren’t too simple or too difficult. The last thing you want is to cause the patient to become frustrated.
• Don’t – be condescending or disrespectful. Dementia patients are like children in many ways. They require supervision and help with many of the things they do. But they are adults who have lived long, purposeful lives. They deserve respect and consideration throughout every phase of their disease.
• Do– get to know the patient and what is important to them. Create activities that fit the individual’s likes and avoid their dislikes. Keep in mind that just because they did something in their past, it doesn’t mean they enjoyed it.
• Don’t– correct their mistakes. There is no ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ with how they perform activities. Your job is to guide them when they need it, not take it over and do it for them.
• Do– give them all the time they need. Practice patience and keep the environment relaxing and fun.
• Don’t– try to force them to participate in activities they don’t want to do.
• Do– allow room for creativity. It’s more about self-expression than creating a fine work of art.

Providing care to a loved one is often more challenging than people realize. It takes a certain type of person and a lot of spare time to provide the level of care that improves the person’s quality of life.

If you are struggling to balance your role as caregiver with the other responsibilities in your life, there is a better solution. Contact Lakeside Manor to learn more about our specialized dementia care. Our assisted living and memory care services are focused on providing the best quality of life to dementia patients at every stage of the disease.

The post Improving Quality of Life for Dementia Patients appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

Assisted living bridges the gap between fully independent living and various levels of round-the-clock care. It gives seniors an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of living on their own without most of the restrictions necessary in facilities where residents have more affected capabilities.

In assisted living, residents live in apartment- or townhouse-style dwellings. Residents have access to three meals a day, social events, and other amenities. Many strive to resemble a resort or an apartment complex more than a senior living facility.

What Kind of Patient Thrives Best In Assisted Living?

Residents who do best in assisted living are those with some ability to live without supervision and the will to remain independent as long as possible. In some cases assisted living residents could live in their own homes, but have little or no support system of family or friends to check on them. They may choose assisted living for reasons of safety and security.

Other assisted living residents suffer from conditions that would make independent living unwise. These include chronic diseases, such as dementia, that cause slow degeneration of mental and/or physical abilities. In such cases, the individual can still live safely with less supervision, but requires that assistance be nearby in case of emergency.

Assisted living will occasionally require that residents retain the will to continue living independently. Most assisted living centers will not keep residents who lose their mobility, for example. The will to remain independent could manifest itself in a determination to stick to physical therapy routines that maintain mobility for the resident.

Many seniors resist the idea of assisted living because they confuse it with a nursing home. They fear losing their freedom, independence, and dignity, and they associate nursing homes with that loss. Most often, when seniors make the transition from independent to assisted living, they appreciate the enhanced safety and security, as well as the preserved independence.

Is Assisted Living Similar to a Nursing Home?

While assisted living and nursing homes share some common characteristics, they are distinct and different modes of senior living. A nursing home features constant care and supervision. Much like a hospital stay, nursing home residents receive more care and one-on-one attention, but they lack the privacy and independence of assisted living.

Different facilities will have different thresholds that separate assisted living from nursing home-type care. Those thresholds could include whether or not the patient can walk without assistance or use the toilet alone.

Why Is Assisted Living Better for Some Than Home Care?

In-home nursing care can serve as a great option for those who still retain a high level of independent function. It can especially help those in rural areas who live far from family, friends, and medical services.

Home health care does enable people to keep living on their own, but occasionally at a cost. Some lose connection with family, friends, and other social outlets. Others live in fear of intruders or other potential dangers, such as fire. It cannot help residents enjoy a healthy social life or live without anxiety.

Benefits of Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities provide a range of benefits that help to keep seniors active, healthy, and safe.

First and foremost, residents enjoy a safer environment. Those living independently have to contend with a number of issues that could pose more challenges as time passes. Home and yard maintenance can become challenging when fixed incomes cannot afford help and they are no longer capable of doing for themselves. Even cleaning can become a serious problem. In such a situation, their homes and property could grow dangerous to habitation. Also, a neighborhood where a senior has lived all his or her life could grow unsafe with rising crime rates.

Assisted living can help ensure that residents get proper nutrition. In many cases, seniors struggle not only to get to a store, but also to be able to prepare nutritious food. Some fall into a rut of microwave meals that have high levels of sodium and other unhealthy ingredients. The lack of fresh and healthy food can take a real toll on their health and well-being.

One of the more traumatic changes that seniors have to accept at times is the loss of their ability to drive their own car. Automobiles symbolize independence, and losing a license can devastate a senior. It can also cut many off from shopping, entertainment, and other outdoor outlets of stimulation. While public transportation is available in some areas, it might not go to all of the locales desired. Seniors may also feel unsafe on a bus or subway. Assisted living facilities often use buses or shuttles to help seniors to attend church, shop, go out to eat, or see plays and concerts.

Also important, assisted living facilities provide ample opportunities for socialization. The stimulation provided by in-person socialization has benefits for both the body and the mind. Face-to-face contact during meals, games, or outings helps to introduce the kind of variety that can boost motivation and positive feeling.

Also, many facilities have disease-specific programs with expert staff who can treat residents with dementia/Alzheimers, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Assisted living facilities can provide better care than even family because they understand the progression of the disease and its effects.

There are also Assisted Living facilities dedicated exclusively to Veterans. 

Reach Out Today to Learn More

If your loved one may be approaching a stage of life where he or she needs more help, please reach out to us today. Our experienced and caring staff are ready to answer any question about our facilities or programs.

We look forward to hearing from you. Even if you feel secure with you or your loved one living independently for now, it never hurts to call to get more information.

The post What is Assisted Living & Is It Worth It? appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

How Does Assistive Technology Work?

AT includes computer systems and electronics, and the accessories needed to use them. It includes the software and hardware designed to educate, stimulate, and provide entertainment. It provides a resource for dementia patients to exercise their memories. Those people who have problems writing, making phone calls, or going up and down stairs can live more comfortably and safely with the right AT.

AT benefits Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and their caregivers. The people who care for them often experience high levels of frustration and stress. It can even have a negative impact on the caregiver’s health. AT helps caregivers establish a routine. In turn, sticking with a schedule reduces anxiety and improves the quality of life for everyone.

While technology doesn’t provide perfect solutions, it does make things better for some candidates. Some examples that might be right for you or a loved one include:

• Reminder Playback – These devices let you record a message and then play it back at a scheduled time. It helps remind the patient when it’s time to take their medication. More advanced devices have more flexibility about the types of messages they play. For example, they can remind them to lock the door on the way out. If they have a pet, the message can remind them to feed it or let it outside. It can even reassure the patient when the caregiver isn’t there. For patients who are more advanced and no longer able to safely manage medications, the device can help the caregiver stay on schedule, too.
• Alarms and GPS Systems – Alarms that alert you when the dementia patient tries to get out of bed or attempts to go out the door help the caregiver keep track of their patient at all times. Tracking devices go a step further by allowing the caregiver to keep track of them when they leave the home. During the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, memory problems may be intermittent. The person can still run errands or visit friends without any problem. When memory problems occur, and they become confused and lost, the GPS system lets the caregiver know there’s a problem. These systems ensure they can find the person quickly and safely if needed.
• Picture Phones– These phones are ingenious for their simple, but highly effective design. The phone displays the picture of all the people the person calls the most. They no longer have to worry about remembering phone numbers or even the person’s name. All they have to do is push the button with the picture of the person they want to call. These phones allow the person to do some of the simple things they’ve always done for themselves.
• Electrical Appliance Monitor– Cooking is one of those tasks that a caregiver must decide is no longer safe for their loved one. For caregivers who don’t live with their loved ones, an electrical monitor helps them keep track of what they are doing. The caregiver plugs the device into an electrical outlet. If an appliance hasn’t been turned on or off, the device alerts them.
• Daytime/Nighttime Phones– Some dementia patients have problems keeping their days and nights straight. Getting confused about the time causes anxiety. Special clocks not only tell the time; they show the difference between the daytime and nighttime hours.

Assistive Technology for the Future

The shortage of caregivers is one reason that a number of companies have come up with companion robots for dementia patients. The technology behind these robots is futuristic, to say the least. Their sensors actually sense people from their sound, temperature, and posture. They can tell the difference between dark and light, and various degrees of touch. They can even recognize their name, greet, and offer praise.

Companion robots have proven to reduce stress for patients and their caregivers. They stimulate interaction, improve relaxation, and increase motivation. The technology also helps improve social skills; something that plays an important role in the dementia patient’s well-being.

Problems with Assistive Technology

The number of Americans with dementia is growing. An estimated 5.7 million have Alzheimer’s, with someone new developing the disease every 65 seconds. 16.1 million provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. The diversity of assistive technology continues to grow to meet the demand.

Some technology is simple and affordable, but a lot of it is very expensive. Some types of private insurance pay the costs of AT, but patients are left to pick up the tab for most of it out of their pockets.

A lot of the technology benefits patients during the earliest stages of dementia. It may not be very helpful once they reach more advanced stages. For example, those in the later stages of dementia can’t be trusted to handle medication dispensing on their own. Some of the AT is beneficial to caregivers. For some, reminders aren’t enough to relieve the stress of caring for a dementia patient.

A Better Solution

Even the most advanced AT isn’t a substitute for human interaction or experienced care. Placing your loved one into a dementia-assisted living facility might be the best solution. It places them in a safe environment where they have the attention they need around the clock.

You want the best for your loved one, even if it means having someone else providing their care. Lake Manor has compassionate, skilled caregivers who are devoted to providing dementia- or Alzheimer’s- specific care to every one of our residents. Contact Lakeside Manor today and schedule a visit to our facility. We offer the proven techniques that help dementia patients lead a better quality of life.

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Even when a family is less prepared, there are ways to offset the costs of an assisted living program. We have gathered fourteen strategies your family can use to help pay for professional assisted living care.

1. Do Your Research: Give your family and your senior loved one enough time to evaluate different care communities. If you like a specific location, join the waiting list. Making last minute decisions could end with your family paying for a location that is out of your price range or doesn’t meet all of your needs. Researching the services and programs offered at each place you consider will help you understand what you will be paying for. You can read more about the mission statement and programs offered at Lakeside Manor here.
2. Apply for Long-Term Care Insurance: As of 2017, only 3% of Americans were covered by long-term care insurance. Long term care insurance is most affordable when it is applied for in middle age. For individuals who have paid into long-term care insurance for many years, it can be a godsend when the time comes to pay for assisted living.
3. Ask About Price Flexibility: Not all prices are set in stone, so don’t be ashamed to ask about move-in specials or to negotiate monthly costs. Some facilities offer “a la carte” pricing for certain services. This allows you to remove services you do not need and save money by filling in the gaps in care with family members or community volunteers.
4. Look at Different Locations: A change in zip code could save hundreds in monthly expenses for comparable care. Factor in travel expenses of those who will be visiting on a regular basis to the amount of savings and decide if it’s worth the trip.
5. Home Equity–Sell or Rent Out Your Loved One’s Home:Many seniors choose to sell their house in an effort to pay for assisted living, but if your family can’t part with an elder’s home, you may consider renting it out. Profits from renting your loved one’s home could cover the cost of their care entirely. But if the thought of being a landlord makes you uneasy, look into the next tip.
6. Refinancing A Home: Refinancing is done to let the borrower obtain a better interest rate. Some families decide on a reverse mortgage to get funding upfront. This article from Lending Tree explains how a reverse mortgage works.
7. UseLifetime Savings and Salary: In an ideal situation your loved one has some savings built up that can be put toward their care. As the responsible party for your senior’s care, do not be ashamed to ask about these savings upfront.
8. Pool Family Resources: Many families find that pooling resources with extended family members is the best way to cover monthly costs of assisted care. Get in touch with family members who may not realize you are struggling.
9. Use Veterans’ Benefits: If your loved one was a member of the American military, they may be eligible for benefits from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Here is a guide to assisted living benefits through the VA.
10. Does Your Senior Qualify for Medicaid?: This is an option for some seniors with very low income. It will help cover some costs, but not all.
11. Sell a Life Insurance Policy: This is a sensitive subject because it could affect the inheritance of family members, but it is an important option to consider if your family is struggling to pay for assisted living. When a life insurance policy is sold, the original policy holder receives a sum of money and the buyer of the policy will take over the payment of the premiums. This process is usually done with a broker. Here is a quick walk-through from Nerd Wallet on the process of selling a life insurance policy.
12. Check How Often Your Senior will be Re-Evaluated: When you have an attorney check over contracts, look specifically for the information about how your loved one will be re-evaluated. Each re-evaluation may mean a slight increase in the cost of care. Talk with the facility ombudsman about patient re-evaluations so you won’t be surprised by these costs, and find out if you can have an outside source evaluate your loved one as well–it may mean savings for your family.
13. Share A Room: In a variety of living situations, shared spaces may be more cost effective than individual housing. Compare the costs of shared vs. individual rooms. Shared rooms still offer a certain level of privacy when it is needed, and it could be the key to getting your loved one into assisted living. A shared room may enhance the social atmosphere of a care community.
14. Get It Right the First Time: Moving your loved one in to multiple facilities causes extra bills and undue stress on your family. So before you choose an assisted living community, visit a care center multiple times. Ask to see their licensing and get comfortable with the staff before moving your loved one in. Choosing the right care community will pay off in the long run. No matter how you choose to pay for the assisted living care your loved one needs, take time to choose the right care community.

These choices are not always simple but the staff at Lakeside Manor are here to talk to you about all of your concerns. Please take a moment to tell us any questions you have about how you can finance the assisted living of a loved one. If you and your family need help coming up with a plan, we’re here to talk to you. Contact us to learn more.

The post How to Pay for Assisted Living for Your Loved Ones appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

Caring for a person with a physical disability is challenging enough. Few people are prepared for the challenges they will face when their loved one begins to lose their identity. During the first stages of dementia, the symptoms may be limited to forgetfulness and an inability to concentrate. They may not be able to complete tasks as efficiently as they used to. Caring for your loved one might be as simple as providing them with medication reminders. You might help them with household chores like cooking and doing laundry.

Failing to accept what is happening to your loved one is a danger to them and to you. Dementia is a progressive disease. During the later stages, your loved one will become more demanding. You will have to do more of the physical tasks they have always done for themselves. Although the physical demands can be overwhelming, many dementia caregivers find the emotional demands to be the most challenging. They often fail to recognize behavior changes until after something happens that could be a danger to their loved one or to someone else. Their denial that their loved one has a serious disease eventually becomes impossible to uphold. As the level of responsibility grows, so does the frustration and stress, and the potential for serious risks.

Greater Risk of Accidents

Elderly people already have a high risk of falling due to a decline in balance, osteoporosis, and vision problems. People with dementia are at an even greater risk of falling. Dementia patients are also three times more likely to sustain a hip fracture. Once walking becomes more difficult, you have to be careful about leaving them unsupervised.

The potential for accidents and injuries increases in every area of the home. The decline in physical abilities coincides with their mental decline. Leaving the stove on, starting fires, cutting themselves with a knife, or eating excessive amounts of odd foods are just some of the things dementia patients do. They may even try to catch you not watching so they can do some of these things and more. You have to watch them constantly to keep them safe.

Dangers from Medications

Most dementia patients are on medications to reduce memory loss. Seniors also take medications for common health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions. At first, you might use a daily pill dispenser to help keep the dosages straight. All your loved one needs is a reminder when it’s time to take a pill.

Over time, your loved one will be at risk of overdosing. The problem is that you may not realize that today is the day their behavior will change. To keep your loved one safe, the pills need to be put away. Dispensing them on time with every dosage is now your responsibility.

Family Conflict

One child in an entire family acting as the primary caregiver is usually the rule and not the exception. You spend hours with your loved one each day. If your siblings observe from afar and only pay occasional visits to your parent with dementia, they don’t see the impact dementia has had on their life. They might accuse you of overreacting, denying that their parent needs the level of care that you have told them. The only help they offer is advice on what you should or shouldn’t doing. These constant interactions with your siblings or other family members only add to your burden and stress.

Delayed Professional Help

Dementia caregivers have different reasons for denying their loved one’s disease. Misplaced guilt, shame, or simply not wanting to accept the inevitable outcome, to name a few. The time you spend denying your loved one’s dementia is real or that it will get worse is time wasted. Dementia is a progressive disease, caused by damage to brain cells. Once that damage occurs, it can’t be reversed. There are medications, however, that can slow its progression. The sooner you get your loved one the professional treatment they need, the more quality time you will have together. Don’t miss your chance to share special memories with your loved one.

The Impact on a Dementia Caregivers Health

Denial increases the impact that caring for your loved one will have on your health, too. For the reasons listed here, and many others, there is a greater physical and emotional demand than most caregivers anticipate. There’s also a bigger demand on their time, leaving little room to take care of themselves.

Failing to accept the true impact dementia will have on your loved one can damage your health and take years off your own life. The mortality rate for caregivers is 63% higher than for other people with similar demographics. The risk is the greatest for caregivers over the age of 66. Often, they die before the person with dementia does.

Consider Your Options Carefully

The decision to care for a spouse, parent, family member, or friend with dementia in their home isn’t always the best one. The average person lacks the skills to provide the level of services their loved one needs. In comparison, a dementia assisted living facility considers all the potential changes that your loved one goes through. They offer a staff of skilled dementia caregivers and a safe, secure environment. Placing your loved one into dementia assisted living will help keep them active and happy for as long as possible. It also allows you to take on the role of a loved one and enjoy special memories that you would otherwise miss.

If you have a loved one with dementia, contact Lakeside Manor to schedule a tour of our facility. You do have other options that offer a better quality of life to you and your loved one. Let us help you make the most of every minute you have left together.

The post A Warning to Dementia Caregivers appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

Like many other symptoms of dementia, those affecting sleep vary from one person to the next. Some experience more intense feelings of confusion and anxiety during the latter part of the day. Feelings of agitation prevent them from being able to sleep. Sometimes they get up and wander during the night. Others start to feel sleepy during the day and become restless at night. These symptoms of late-day confusion are called “Sundowning” in Alzheimer’s patients.

Changes in sleep patterns often lead to an increase in behavioral issues as well. Both factors add to the challenges family caregivers face in providing care to their loved one. Often, the caregiver ends up losing sleep as well.

Common Sleep Problems with Aging

It isn’t unusual for anyone to develop changes in how they sleep as they grow older. A shift in the circadian rhythm causes sleep patterns to change. Seniors begin to sleep at different times of the day and in shorter intervals. These fragmented sleep patterns prevent them from achieving a deep level of sleep that makes them feel rested.  Sleeping lighter also means waking up easier throughout the night. Seniors often wake up earlier, getting fewer hours of sleep than they did earlier in life. These normal changes in sleep patterns often occur due to symptoms of underlying medical conditions.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Medical conditions including arthritis, heart and lung conditions, reflux disease, and urinary conditions are common in seniors. Symptoms from any of these conditions can interfere with sleep. Pain, anxiety, depression, and side-effects of medications or alcohol can also be to blame. Seniors also have an increased incidence of sleep apnea, breathing disorders, and restless leg syndrome. Any of these causes of sleep problems can contribute to sleep disturbances in dementia patients.

The Added Complications of Dementia and Sleep

For most patients, sleep disorders are ‘multifactorial’ meaning that there are multiple issues causing their sleep disturbances. In addition to the underlying medical conditions, fatigue, depression, anxiety, or confusion caused by dementia can make it difficult. For example, a loss of light and increased shadows in the evening can cause confusion and fear. The way that dementia affects the brain causes them to see things much differently than someone without dementia.

Since the cause of sleep issues and dementia problems is multifactorial, you need to take a multifactorial approach to treatment as well. Start by working with their doctor to pinpoint as many underlying causes as possible. Describe the types of problems the person is experiencing. Do they have trouble going to sleep, wake up frequently, or wander during the night? Do they often nap during the day, doze off randomly, or snore loudly? Write down a complete description of their issues including the times they normally go to bed and get up.

The more information you can provide to the doctor, the more accurately he/she can diagnose the underlying conditions. They will also consider whether any current medications might be adding to the problem. Never assume that dementia is the primary cause of the sleep disturbances and that there is nothing you can do to improve the situation.

Advice for Caregivers

Everyone needs quality sleep to stay healthy, alert, and functional during the day. Caregivers are especially vulnerable to the effects of dementia and sleep deprivation. Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient with sleep deprivation extends your day. It also depletes your energy and your ability to provide top quality care.

One of the first things to do to improve your loved one’s sleep is to treat any secondary conditions adding to the problem. Even though the dementia is the major cause of the problem, there are some things you can do to help.

• Keep the Home Well Lit – Once the sun sets and the light begins to fade, make sure there’s plenty of light in the home. This reduces the shadows and keeps the home from feeling unfamiliar to the person.
• Invest in An Alarm – A bed alarm alerts the caregiver when the patient tries to get out of bed. This allows you to have peace of mind while you get rest without worrying that the patient will get hurt or leave the home.
• Get Into a Routine – Get them up and into bed at the same time every day. Discourage them from watching TV when they wake at night to avoid stimulation. Getting into a routine will help them go to sleep at night without waking soon after.
• Encourage More Activities Throughout the Day – The last thing you want them to do is to get their rest during the day. Instead, find activities that keep them moving during the day so they’ll be ready to sleep once bedtime rolls around. Physical and mental exercise is good for them. Just make sure you slack off at least four hours before bedtime.
• Feed Them a Healthy Diet – Eating healthy is one of the best things anyone can do for their physical and mental health. Make sure they get the nutrition they need without stimulants like caffeine and nicotine.
• Talk to a Doctor or Nutritionist – If you aren’t sure which types of foods are best for dementia patients, a nutritionist can help you plan a healthy menu. If your attempts at improving their sleep patterns don’t work, the doctor can make additional suggestions. They understand how dementia and sleep disturbances can impact the person’s life. Most will recommend other changes before prescribing any medications.
• Consider Putting Them Into an Assisted Living Facility – Being a primary caregiver for a dementia patient is very demanding. Once it gets to the point where you aren’t getting the rest you need, it impacts your well-being and theirs. An assisted living facility gives your loved one the advantage of a full staff to provide their care. One that specializes in dementia care also helps give them the physical and emotional support they need at every stage of the disease.

Contact Lakeside Manor to schedule a tour of our assisted living facility today. Meet our team and learn more about the quality of dementia care we can provide to your loved one on a daily basis.

The post Dementia and Sleep: A Sleep Aid for the Elderly appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

Defining Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one common type of Dementia, and it is an illness that affects memory, behavior, and the thinking process. Alzheimer’s is a slower onset type of disease, and this means that the common symptoms can slowly develop and get worse as time goes on. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but the various Alzheimer’s treatment options can help to slow the progression of the symptoms.

A lot of people don’t notice the early-onset symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease because they can dismiss them as being hazards of aging. Also, the early-onset symptoms can last between one to three years, so this can make it harder to get a definitive diagnosis.

The symptoms do start to get worse over the years, and it will eventually lead to the person not being able to perform everyday tasks, and it can also include severe behavioral changes. In the late stages, the person can lose the ability to converse or respond to their environment. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but you can manage the symptoms.

Common Alzheimer’s Behavioral Symptoms

For everyone involved, the behavioral changes seem to be the hardest and most distressing aspect of dealing with this disease. As the disease causes the person’s brain cells to deteriorate, marked and sometimes more violent behavioral changes are common occurrences.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms may slowly present themselves as smaller personality changes. The person may seem more depressed, anxious, or irritable, and these symptoms progressively get worse as the disease gets to the later stages.

When a person gets to the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, they can have more pronounced behavioral symptoms including aggression, anger, agitation, emotional distress, verbal outbursts, restlessness, physical outbursts, hallucinations, delusions, and sleep disturbances.

You may notice the person doing things out of the ordinary like pacing around, shredding paper, or shredding tissues. These symptoms may also seem to get worse during the nighttime hours and get marginally better during the day. There are also situations that can trigger these behavioral problems.

Triggering Behavioral Symptoms

Along with the symptoms getting worse during the evening and night hours or Sundowning, triggering situations can make them worse. In particular, change is very stressful for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. It can increase the fatigue and fear that the person feels when they’re trying to navigate an already confusing situation.

Change doesn’t have to be a large thing to trigger behavioral symptoms either. It can be something small like asking them to change their clothes or take a bath. Other triggering situations can include being admitted to a hospital, caregiver changes, moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility, or misconceiving actions as threatening. Once you’ve identified what triggered the change, you can figure out which way is the best way to approach it.

Different Ways to Manage Alzheimer’s Behavioral Symptoms

You have a few different options when it comes to finding the best way to help manage the Alzheimer’s behavioral symptoms. It’s important to note that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work successfully for another.

1. Medications

Medications have come a long way in recent years, and there are several medications that are specifically designed to help manage Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. They won’t cure them, but they can help to slow the symptom progression. They may also help make the person seem more aware and able to navigate day-to-day routines by themselves.

The medications are called Cholinesterase Inhibitors, and there are five main medications medical professionals use to manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the most common medications is Aricept, and it can treat symptoms with all three stages of Alzheimer’s. Razadyne and Exelon are two medications that help with mild to moderate symptoms. Finally, Namenda and Namzaric can help manage the more severe symptoms.

2. Non-Medication Approaches

Non-medication approaches are typically one of the first things people use to help manage behavioral symptoms before medications. They help to promote emotional and physical comfort for the person. The main goal of a non-medication approach is to help identify and meet the person’s needs because they might have difficulty expressing it in a clear manner.

The first step is recognizing that the person isn’t being mean or agitated just to be mean or agitated. Instead, they’re having further Alzheimer’s symptoms, or they’re getting worse. It’s good to also try and identify what’s causing the symptoms. Another approach is to change the person’s environment and remove any obstacles or challenges that might be upsetting.

Coping Tips

There are several smaller things you can to do help both yourself and the person with Alzheimer’s cope with the disease’s progression.

• Create a Calm Environment – If it’s possible, you want to create a calm environment that promotes relaxation. Avoid things like noise, tight spaces, a lot of background distractions, and glare.

• Continually Monitor Personal Comfort – Make sure that you check and see if the person is hungry, thirsty, in pain, constipation, bladder issues, or skin irritation. Also, make sure that the room temperature is comfortable.

• Avoid Confrontation – Don’t argue about facts or be confrontational, and be careful how you word things. For example, if the person tells you they want to visit a family member that passed away years ago, don’t tell them that they’re gone. Say something like “I would like to see them too.”

• Have a Support System – It’s a good idea to have a support system in place. If it’s not other family members or friends, try an Alzheimer’s support group or forum. They’ll be able to relate to what you’re going through and offer advice or support.

If you have any questions or concerns about Alzheimer’s treatment, or if you’d like to schedule a tour of our facilities for your loved one, contact us. Our friendly and professional staff are ready and will to set up a tour or answer any of your questions.

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Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that is progressive and irreversible. It slowly starts to destroy a person’s cognitive skills and their memory. Eventually, it progresses far enough that people who have it can’t carry out simple everyday tasks. Medical experts generally split this disease into two different categories including:

1. Late-Onset Alzheimer’s – With this type of Alzheimer’s, people generally start showing common symptoms in their mid-60s. This is the most common type of Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Early-Onset Alzheimer’s – This type of Alzheimer’s disease is very rare, and people can start showing symptoms starting in their 30s and going up to their 60s.

Common Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

No matter which type of Alzheimer’s a person has, there are several common symptoms that go with both types, and they go into three stages.

Early Onset Alzheimer’s is the first stage, and it typically lasts anywhere from 2 to 4 years before it progresses. The symptoms include:

• Less energy to be out and about
• Trouble putting thoughts into words
• Recent memory loss
• Mood swings that usually involve depression
• Trouble completing familiar tasks

Moderate Alzheimer’s is the second stage of the disease, and it can last between 2 and 10 years.  The symptoms start interfering more with everyday tasks, and they include:

• Rambling speech patterns
• Difficulty planning or problem-solving
• Wandering
• Delusions
• Seeming to be angrier and lashing out

Severe Alzheimer’s is the final stage of the disease, and it can last between 1 to 3 years. The symptoms can make someone completely dependent on other people for everyday care, and they include:

• Major confusion about the present day
• Extreme mood swings, including lashing out
• Problems controlling their bladder and bowels
• Hallucinations
• Inability to easily move around on their own

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Medications have advanced over the years, and there is now a class of different drugs that can help control the common symptoms that come with each stage of Alzheimer’s disease. These medications are commonly grouped together as Cholinesterase Inhibitors.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors work to prevent a chemical messenger in the brain called acetylcholine from breaking down. Acetylcholine is important for helping improve memory function, and it supports communication between nerve cells. They can also help to delay the symptom progression or severity. There are five main medications people use to treat the symptoms that occur during the various stages of this disease.

Five Alzheimer’s Medications

Aricept (donepezil)

Aricept is a medication that can treat Alzheimer’s disease symptoms during all of the stages of the disease. Its basic function is to help preserve memory by improving how well the brain’s nerve cells function. This medication prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, and this chemical is largely responsible for memory, reasoning, and coherent thinking.

It’s important to note that people with Dementia or Alzheimer’s usually have lower levels of the chemical acetylcholine in their system, so this medication can help to slow down the progression of the disease. Side effects of this medication are rare, but they typically include things like vomiting, nausea, and feeling lightheaded.

Razadyne (galantamine)

Razadyne is another common Alzheimer’s medication, and it can treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms. It works by slowly restoring the balance of neurotransmitters in a person’s brain. It can help to treat mild or moderate confusion levels, as well as improve awareness, memory, and the ability to perform day to day tasks.

Typically, you start at a lower dose with this medication and slowly increase it until you meet your target dosage. You should start to notice an improvement in the person’s awareness, and they may seem more present and focused. This medication does come with some mild side effects including nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, and diarrhea.

Exelon (rivastigmine)

Exelon is a Cholinesterase inhibitor that can help to control the symptoms that come with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It works similar to Razadyne, and it also helps to restore the neurotransmitter balance in the brain. In turn, this can help to treat the confusion that Alzheimer’s brings, as well as improving memory, awareness, and the ability to perform daily tasks.

The doctor usually starts on a lower dose to decrease the chances of side effects, and they’ll gradually increase the dosage over a period of two to four weeks until you get to the target dosage. The common side effects that can appear when the doctor introduces this medication include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Namenda (memantine)

A doctor will typically prescribe Namenda when a person reaches the moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The basic function of this medication is to block glutamate, which is a natural substance found in the brain. Glutamate is thought to be responsible for causing more severe confusion, coordination problems, mood swings, and insomnia.

You start taking it once a day, and the dosage slowly increases as your body will tolerate it. As it starts to work, you may notice that the memory capabilities start to improve, there is a greater awareness of the surrounding environment, and it’s easier to perform daily tasks. Common side effects include constipation, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Namzaric (memantine + donepezil)

Namzaric is the fifth medication that can help alleviate common Alzheimer’s symptoms. Doctors can prescribe it for moderate to severe symptoms, and it helps to regulate any irregular activity associated with the natural chemical Glutamate. It also helps to slow down the breakdown process of acetylcholine. There are two medications that work in tandem in Namzaric.

It’s important to note that this medication doesn’t stop Alzheimer’s disease from progressing. However, it can help people be more aware of their surroundings, and it can help them perform day to day tasks more easily. Common side effects of Namzaric include nausea, headache, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and loss of appetite.

Alzheimer’s disease can be a scary diagnosis, but Alzheimer’s medications can help to reduce the symptoms. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you’d like more information, contact us. Our staff are ready and willing to help and get you the answers you need.

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Hospice care is often recommended when a patient’s medical condition has reached its end stage. Therefore, it’s only natural to have questions about the processes, treatments, and what happens next.

Hospice Centers On the Patient

Hospice is a field of medicine that centers on making the patient’s final days as comfortable and peaceful as possible. It provides resources for both the patient and their loved ones as they strive to accept the upcoming transition. The main objective is to ease the patient’s pain and suffering while maintaining a relaxed environment.

There are several chronic illnesses that progress slowly before they reach an end stage. For instance, a person can live for several years with dementia before the symptoms reach a point where they are no longer manageable. Other natural diseases which progress in this manner include cancer, AIDS, and kidney disease.

When it has been determined that a patient’s life expectancy is an estimated six months or less,  hospice care helps them to live out their final days with dignity. Quality of life is important at this time. While in hospice care, the focus is no longer on a treatment or a cure, but rather the person who is going through the transition. It provides compassion and comfort to both the patient and their family members.

Choosing Hospice Care

Choosing hospice care is a tough decision. Many patients, family members, and even doctors resist hospice because they feel that there’s still hope. For the patient and family members, obviously, the advanced stages of a terminal illness are hard to accept. The patient’s doctor may wish to keep trying different approaches and medicines. This process, however, puts more focus on the patient’s illness, rather than their remaining days of life.

As a result of this indecision, hospice care is often started too late. The terminal illness and the symptoms that go along with it, such as pain, nausea and other discomforts take a huge toll on the patient and their caregivers.

Hospice does not prolong life, nor does it bring the end closer. It does treat symptoms, using an individually tailored program.The sooner the hospice care is started, the easier it will be for all involved. A hospice team provides care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The pain is managed, keeping the patient comfortable at all times. Should a patient start to see improvement and wish to discontinue hospice care, they are free to do so at any time.

Each Patient Is Unique

As each illness is unique, so is the hospice treatment. Hospice care takes into consideration a person’s beliefs and natural way of life, allowing them to live with as few changes to their everyday routine as possible.

Obviously, symptoms vary according to illness. Physical, nutritional and emotional needs are different for each patient. Hospice care addresses each individual’s needs and provides treatment accordingly. The hospice team consists of trained professionals, which may include doctors, therapists, and social workers.

After deciding on a care plan, the hospice team keeps the family members up to date on the patient’s condition. This may be done via a weekly meeting or phone call. There is always someone available to address any concerns and make changes to the treatment plan, as needed.

Receiving Hospice Care

Once the decision for hospice care has been made, the next step is to decide where the treatment is to take place. There are a number of options available. It is always wise to consult your doctor, social worker or therapist for advice. When considering a facility, ask plenty of questions and request a tour.

It is not uncommon for a patient to choose to receive hospice care in their own homes. Doing so keeps them in their familiar surroundings. This is an obvious advantage for some, however, it does mean having the hospice team coming and going on a regular basis.

For most patients, a hospital or private facility has the best resources when it comes to specialized treatment and targeted programs. There is always a staff of medical professionals on hand at any given time. An assisted living facility also provides interaction with fun daily activities so that the patient never feels alone.

Treatment

During hospice treatment, the patient will be assessed by the hospice team. Pain medication is provided accordingly to each individual as needed. However, hospice care goes a step beyond and targets the patient’s sensory connections.

Studies show that music therapy has a positive effect on patients with a terminal illness. Listening to soothing music releases natural brain chemicals such as melatonin and epinephrine, which, in turn, improves the patient’s mood and eases stress. These effects last long after the music has ended.

Other sensory treatments can include a relaxing massage or even just relishing a warm, sunny day. An art class can bring out talents that were hidden away. These and many other types of social activities can make these final moments meaningful and enjoyable. They draw the attention away from the inevitable, and center on the patient’s quality of life.

Our Team

At Lakeside Manor,  we believe that hospice care is important for those who are at the final stages of life. Our hospice facility accommodates an outstanding team of San Diego Hospice Care professionals. Their goal is to provide your loved one with caring surroundings and interaction, placing an hourly focus on the patient’s comfort and well-being.

Regardless of age or illness, hospice care is for anyone who is at the terminal stage of life. After a thorough assessment, the San Diego Hospice Care team tailors the treatment plan to each individual. Family members and residents are treated with care and respect. This is a critical time for everyone involved. We welcome your questions regarding hospice care and how our program works.

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