Of the many serious medical conditions that people suffer from, Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that is hard to cope with not just for the patient but also their family and friends. Not only is the disease degenerative, it slowly affects everything from the person’s memory to their personality to their thinking skills. “A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can change many things for a person and their family,” says Dr Udaya Kumar Maiya, Medical Director at Portea Medical, a home healthcare company which designs customised care plans for patients. “Those with the disease must cope not only with the extreme memory loss but also the fact that they now need to rely on someone for even the most basic needs.”
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Non-medical home care is an essential part of the care that an Alzheimer’s patient needs to be given. “Dementia home care is geared more towards addressing the likes and dislikes of Alzheimer’s patients, and planning activities that help in stimulating their brain,” says Dr Maiya. He shared with us the level of home care to be provided to an Alzheimer’s patient at different stages.
Early-stage
The early stage of Alzheimer’s lasts for about 2 to 4 years and requires minimum intervention and outside care. “The person may still be able to carry out some regular activities, attend events, run errands, etc,” says Dr Maiya. “The memory loss at this stage entails forgetting words or other simple things, and care is focused on managing and developing coping strategies to maintain independence.”
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Middle-stage
This middle stage lasts for about 2 to 10 years and this is the stage wherein the memory is greatly affected. “The patient may start forgetting faces and names, have mood swings, and display aggression. There may also be problems with physical movements and coordination,” shares Dr Maiya. “This is the stage where home care needs include assistance with activities of daily living, and reminders for certain things including what to wear. Home care in this stage should be aimed at helping the individual follow a structured schedule and be consistent in his daily activities.”
Late-stage
The last stage of Alzheimer’s , which lasts for about 1 to 3 years or more, is the one where the patient needs to be given intensive care, all day. “From extreme confusion to an inability to process information, the patient may have a very difficult time,” says Dr Maiya. “This is also the stage where behaviour and moods can become very unpredictable and therefore, it may become imperative to move the person to a care facility.”
Dr Maiya also talked about the kind of skills that a caregiver needs to develop.
“It is imperative that the caregiver has training and experience in Alzheimer’s home care,” says Dr Maiya. “They should be aware of the condition, be adept at handling erratic behaviour, and help in lowering stress levels for the patient. Caregivers can also help individuals carry out memory stimulating activities apart from assisting them in daily work.”
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