Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: Symptoms, Stages, and Communication Strategies Expanded ____
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Caregivers need to address their well-being Establish a communication flow with the family and loved ones to avoid overwhelming the patient with multiple people and explanations
• Adult children may be disengaged, in denial, scared, or selective about information they receive. • Professional caregivers will need to learn the best ways to communicate with difficult children. • Engage the proper professionals, such as the director of nursing or the administrator, in any explanation pertaining to clinical needs, changes, or issues. • Adult children may elect to not be involved in their parents’ lives. • When dealing with a couple and their dynamics, make sure that individual needs are met (hungry, angry, lonely, and tired) and that the person is hydrated and eating their meals. In addition, ensure personal safety and adjust accordingly. • Make sure that the person is not isolated in their room. CONCLUSION Alzheimer’s disease is complex and difficult to comprehend, and it creates conflict for the patient and caregivers. Under- standing the stages and disease progression allows for planning, lifestyle changes, and integration of safety measures that can improve well-being. As more people are diagnosed, there will be a continued need for research, testing, and communication in the AD community to identify innovative ways to improve. As healthcare providers, it is incumbent upon us to align with the appropriate professionals who can fill in gaps of care, com- munication, and shared information to empower and serve our patients with honesty and integrity. This disease requires a comprehensive community approach to ensure that people have access to healthcare and services that can be of value. This is the case for both caregivers and patients. The lessons in this course explain what happens to a patient who develops AD or other dementia. It also recognizes that while some dementias can be addressed and improved, many cannot. This reality goes against the noble initiatives health- care professionals undertake. We need to understand that our best efforts should be focused on encouraging testing, clinical research trials, collaboration with the community, support for caregivers, and communication with our colleagues. We need to stay informed, pay attention to new information and pharmacological opportunities, and empower our patients to live as healthily as possible.
• Recognize that diseases like AD cannot be addressed alone
CASE STUDY #3: MARRIAGE ISSUES Marion and Lou have been married for more than 66 years and recently their children arranged for them to move to a memory unit. They lived in low-income housing for more than 15 years, and Marion’s forgetfulness was problematic and progressive. Ultimately, she forgot she left a boiling tea pot boiling on the stove, which caused a fire that resulted in smoke damage to multiple apartments. The building manager had shared concerns with their children that were ignored. The manager had also received tenant complaints about arguments that the couple would have in the early evenings. When the children heard that, they responded that the couple had been screaming at each other for more than 60 years—why stop them now? After the fire, the couple moved to a memory unit to receive additional care. The new apartment was small but comfortable, and despite their initial confusion they adjusted well. Their children brought some remaining personal items from their former apartment to provide a sense of familiarity. Marion and Lou participated in the structured activities and interacted with residents. At the end of their first week in the new community, Marion and Lou got into an argument in the hallway. They were loud and called each other nasty names. Their behavior was disruptive, and the caregivers redirected, which worked initially, but the arguments continued to occur daily. The staff decided to separate the couple, which initially caused Marion’s anxiety to increase. She began to pace and tear tissues throughout the hallway. The community had a safe space to accommodate her, but it would require the couple to be in separate buildings. The staff decided that total short-term separation could be helpful to minimize their arguments. Marion moved to the memory unit with increased care, and she thrived. She loved the outdoor garden and spent her days quietly planting seeds. In the evening she would cry for Lou, but the staff was able to provide her with calming reassurance. Lou remained in their apartment, he no longer raised his voice, he participated in daily activities, and his anxiety level diminished. When Marion and Lou’s children came to visit and learned that their parents were separated, the facility asked them to contribute to the increased fees. The children responded that they wanted their parents to be together, and they did not believe that their parents’ behavior was an issue. They felt that their parents had been moved to have the fees increased. Situations with couples can arise—needs change, behavior must be modified to conform to the community, and people may need more safety measures. Issues that may need to be considered include the following.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/AlzheimersDisease
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EliteLearning.com/Counselor
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