There are many types of diseases that the elderly might suffer from and Alzheimer’s is one of them. While you, as a caregiver, can’t stop Alzheimer’s, there are many things you can do to better the quality of life for yourself and the person with the disease. Before you can do that, though, you need to better understand the different stages of this disease.

Early-Stage

The early stage is also called mid-Alzheimer’s disease. It can be difficult to recognize the disease during this stage. However, if the person forgets appointments or conversations they had, this can be a sign they have Alzheimer’s. During this stage, you want to make sure they get a diagnosis early on. You can then focus on keeping them independent. Support the decisions they make, provide them with the needed companionship (even if that means hiring a home care provider to be there with them), help them plan for the future. By preparing for this disease, you can prevent many obstacles that might come with it.

Middle Stage

The middle stage is also called moderate Alzheimer’s disease. This stage is the longest and requires more flexibility with the caregiver. When it comes to elder care, you will notice the senior is having more trouble with their words. They may become frustrated much easier, as well. If there are tasks they don’t seem enjoyable, they may refuse to do them. This might include bathing. It is more difficult for them as the disease gets worse. The elder care you are providing will get tougher. You will need a lot of patience. It might be helpful to hire home care providers to assist you with the senior at this point.

Late Stage

The late stage is also called severe Alzheimer’s disease. This is the hardest of all the stages. At this point, the senior is going to have trouble doing even basic tasks like eating or swallowing. They may need constant care and supervision, during the day and night. Extra precautions should be taken to ensure they aren’t in pain, since they may have a tough time communicating their wants and needs. Since it is more difficult for them to communicate with you, make sure you are making foods they love, playing music, reading to your loved one, and doing other things you know they enjoy.

Learning about the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease can take some time. There are many things to learn about all the different stages of this disease. However, the more you learn about it, the better you will be able to handle and cope with the disease if a loved one gets a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elder Care in Marana, AZ please contact the caring staff at Sunlife Home Care today at (877) 888-131.

Source

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages