Selecting superior Alzheimer care often requires serial changes
in approach. During early stages of the disease, patients can
function relatively normally within controlled environments. Stage I
Alzheimer's patients can perform regular work, meet appointments,
and carry on complex conversations. That said, it's very difficult
to predict the progression of the disease. Some patients remain in
early-to-mid Stage I for years; others rapidly decline. Doctors
attribute this variation to a host of factors, including genetics,
diet, environment, and responses to medications.
To mitigate against medical and financial crises associated with the
disease, Alzheimer care experts recommend the following advice.
Develop an easy to follow schedule of activities for the patient,
and don't hesitate to hire in home care or other assistance to
double check that the patient sticks to the routine. Create a safe
environment by installing locks on closets and drawers that contain
dangerous items. If the patient must take medication, set up a
system to prevent overdosing. Keep the patient's home tidy to
prevent trip and fall accidents. Issue the patient a cell phone or
emergency medical calling device. Most importantly, keep tabs on how
the patient is doing and make sure that you can trust your support
system – whether it's a network of volunteers or the spouse of the
patient – to provide accurate and timely reports.
During the later stages of the disease, you may wish to move the
patient into a home dedicated to Alzheimer care. Many great
facilities abound – in Pennsylvania alone, you can find dozens of
top tier agencies in towns like Merion, Haverford, and the greater
Philadelphia area. Not all facilities are equal, however. Do your
due diligence before selecting – check references, review
statistics, and talk to caregivers and relatives of patients.
