About 6.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. This means a lot of people are in your situation. You’re helping your mom as the disease slowly takes away her cognitive function and fine motor skills. Family caregivers spend an average of 22 hours helping a family member with care. Often, Alzheimer’s requires more hours of care. You’ve likely moved in with your mom or she’s moved into your home. This is more common than you might imagine. You can hire Alzheimer’s care providers to help lighten your load.
March 3rd is Caregiver Appreciation Day. It’s the first of two appreciation days held each year, and it’s meant for both paid and unpaid caregivers. Many adult children provide unpaid care to their aging parents.
Does that sound familiar? Are you finding yourself running short on time and energy? Here are the things you need to be thinking about when caring for your mom.
How Alzheimer’s Will Change Your Mom’s Care Needs Over Time
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, your mom won’t need a lot of care. Her main symptoms will be forgetting words or names. She’ll have to stop driving soon after her diagnosis to prevent her from getting lost or forgetting where she’s going.
Over time, she’s going to forget what time of day it is, what day it is, or what month or season she’s in. Don’t be surprised if she forgets who the U.S. president is, what her address is, or what her phone number is. She’s going to forget how to make a phone call, which can become a problem in an emergency.
Her mobility will suffer. She’s going to misjudge steps and curbs and risk serious falls. Your mom will start walking with a shuffled walk instead of picking up her feet. She’s going to need help walking around her home, when outside, and when getting in and out of the shower or tub.
The time will come when your mom cannot use a fork, spoon, or knife. She’ll need finger foods or to have someone feed her. She’ll need help choosing an outfit and fastening her buttons and zippers.
Is It Time to Let Alzheimer’s Care Aids Take Over?
Alzheimer’s can be a long, hard battle. While the average battle with Alzheimer’s is eight years, some people live upwards of 20 years. It could be a long time to be your mom’s main caregiver. You need a break.
If you find yourself overwhelmingly sad, angry, or not feeling any emotion at all, it’s time to have others help out. A professional Alzheimer’s care aide offers the expert care your mom needs in the middle and late stages of this type of dementia.
Alzheimer’s care aides help with personal care, feeding, housekeeping, and much more. You’ll have time for self-care, and your mom has someone else to rely on. Talk to our Alzheimer’s care specialist to learn more about prices and schedules.
Sources: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2021/05/caregiving-in-the-united-states-50-plus.doi.10.26419-2Fppi.00103.022.pdf
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care Services in Walpole MA please contact the caring staff at Care Resolutions, Inc today. (508) 906-5572
CARE Resolutions, Inc provides quality 24-Hour Home Care for seniors and families in Walpole, Dover, Wellesley, Framingham, Norfolk, Quincy, Weston, Medfield, Boston, Sherborn MA, and surrounding areas.
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