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If your loved one is at home alone, are they competent enough to realize that there is an emergency, and if so, do they know who and how to call for help?
Ask your loved one what they would do in case of fire, power outage, or sudden illness. Do they know who to call? If they do, ask them to show you what number they would dial. Don't assume that they know how to dial 911. Many times that does not translate from their mind to the right numbers on the phone. Maybe they could dial 911 if that number were posted on the phone with the word "Emergency" taped to the phone, wall or bulletin board. In an emergency, would they be able to keep a clear enough head to know to look at the note to call for help?
If there is a fire, are they going to try to put the fire out; are they going to run out of the house; or, are they going to stand there until it is a dire situation? Do you need to take the knobs off the stove and unplug the microwave to diminish the chance of fire? Most of us can't predict how we would react in these situations, let alone know how someone with dementia or Alzheimer's would respond.
You need to think ahead and plan. Try to prepare your house and loved one for any situation. And realize that there will come a time when it is no longer safe to leave your loved one alone. Having a backup plan could make any emergency or unexpected event less stressful.
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This blog is about providing elder care with an emphasis on Christian values; showing respect for seniors and their surroundings; and, providing an opportunity for family members and friends to maintain a loving and healthy relationship.
Welcome
There are many different issues that families face with middle aged and elderly family members with either early onset dementia or Alzheimer': depression, memory loss, elopement, hygiene, dressing, nutrition and outside caregivers to name just a few.
In this blog, I plan to address all these issues and more. I have been an administrator and a marketing director of assisted living facilities, worked with Hospice and been a caregiver to many seniors for the past 12+ years in Huntsville, Alabama.
The issues that families face can be daunting, isolating and down right scary. Helping your loved ones to feel important and needed is difficult when they need so much help. I hope to offer helpful advice from my years of experience as well as provide you a few options for help and support. You are not in this alone. There are many organizations just waiting for you to contact them for help.
In reality, I have been diagnosed with MCI-mild cognitive impairment. I have a slight knowledge of what people go through in the very beginning of dementia or Alzheimer's. When I was diagnosed, my neurologist at Mayo Clinic told me to enjoy everyday (he said that if I was 80, he would diagnose me with early onset dementia). My therapist told me to stop looking for a diagnosis and just accept that I had challenges and to stop trying to fix them. Cope with them, adjust, learn new things and prepare in case my diagnosis changed from MCI to dementia or Alzheimer's, he said. I was diagnosed with the MCI in my early 40's. I was terrified. I knew something was wrong, I wanted a pill, a surgery or whatever it took to fix my problems. There was none. The kindest thing anyone ever said to me was to accept, cope, stay active and reach out for help.
Due to the good advice I received, my husband's help in accepting and not denying, and by God's grace, I live a fairly normal life. I still need help sometimes. I call my husband and ask questions with no fear of embarassment. I still take care of the elderly and people with Alzheimer's. When I take care of someone, it usually has to be done with a routine that I come up with vs someone else's routine, or I have very little chance of being successful. I am okay with all of this. I consider myself smart, successful and very driven.
In essence, this blog is a love letter to my husband for if, and when, my MCI becomes more severe.
Please feel free to post any comments or questions that you have and I will offer as much support as possible.
With much love and compassion,
Cara
Blog Archive
Caregiver Issues
Alzheimers Safety Tips
Caring Today
Taking The Car Keys Back
Pet Therapy
Seniors And Wandering
If Tomorrow Never Comes
Good Book
Coach Broyles Playbook
About Me
- Cara K. Mason
- Meridianville, Alabama, United States
- GO BUCKEYES
2 comments:
Thank you for taking the time to share this information. We are new to having to deal with caring for our parents and your insights have been most valuable. We look forward to future posts.
One of the most important things to remember is that you are not alone. There are so many people that are in your situation. The best advice that I can give you is to go to an Alzheimer's Association and find out what kind of support groups, daycare's, caregiver classes or training sessions they have in your area. Living with Alzheimer's is a daunting task, living with someone with Alzheimer's and taking care of them 24/7 is one of the top stressors that you can endure. There is power in numbers so don't isolate yourself or your loved one.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance with information in the future.
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