Alzheimer's Home Living Structures

Preparations Make the Difference at Home

By

Lydia Chan
Alzheimerscaregiver.net

Alzheimer's Home Living Structures - Family members face big challenges when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Providing a healthy, safe environment is a key to moving forward. With proper assessment and preparations, you can equip yourself and living areas for the care of your senior.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Communication

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis means necessary changes in living structures and you will be engaging in some difficult conversations. Your loved one may want the living situation to stay the same, and change can be very emotional.

These conversations can be difficult but are necessary for making effective choices which respect the desires of your loved one. Approach the subject with honesty and compassion. Experts offer these suggestions:

• Sharing and support. Be open about your feelings and assure your senior you will be supportive and that you will assist in solving problems as they arise.


• Respect independence. Ensure your senior is able to preserve as much control over lifestyle-related decisions as possible.


• Baby steps. Allow your senior to become acclimated to changes by making the smallest steps possible.


• Become educated. Learn about medical, legal, and financial issues relating to your senior in terms of background and current affairs. Be aware of what to expect with the aging process and progression of the disease.

Providing care

Chances are your care for your loved one will include not only taking your senior under your wing but also under your roof. More than 342,000 Australians are living with Alzheimer's and dementia - a number expected to increase to 400,000 in less than a decade. Studies show care providers often make the choice to bring their loved one home:

"It can be your grandparent, your cousin, your sibling or even your parent who faces the diagnosis. Eventually, those with Alzheimer’s require round-the-clock care, and for many families, that means taking the loved one into their own home."

Assessing home

Depending on the circumstances, some experts suggest establishing living quarters on one level, including bedroom, bathroom and kitchen facilities. Wherever your loved one lives will require appropriate preparations. You should inspect living areas for potential hazards; some general things to look for include:

• Improve lighting in dim rooms and walkways.


• Secure furniture to prevent trips and falls.


• Use chairs with armrests to support transitioning from seated to standing positions.


• Clear walkways and eliminate slipping and tripping hazards, such as rugs, cords, ottomans, and magazine racks.


• Add stickers to windows and glass doorways at eye level to improve visibility.


• Eliminate locks on doors to interior rooms so your loved one can’t be accidently locked in.


• Secure medications, cleansers and poisons that could be accidentally ingested or otherwise inappropriately handled.


• Remove sharp objects and tools that could cause injury.

As you evaluate the dwelling, you should assess every room for risks to safety. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a terrific home safety checklist to assist in your evaluation.

Engage support

Once you make your assessment and establish a foundation with your loved one, opening lines of communication with other family members is often necessary. There may be financial considerations, especially if major home modifications are required or hiring assistance becomes necessary. Everyone’s viewpoint should be considered, and sometimes family dynamics can cause conflict. Again, this may not be an easy conversation, and as noted by PBS involving a third party such as a social worker, geriatric caregiver, or spiritual leader could be helpful.

Even though the process is emotional and challenging, it’s far better to engage everyone in these discussions ahead of time, rather than during a crisis. Also, by opening communication now you can all share in the burdens that come with caregiving. No one family member should be saddled entirely with daily care, transportation, health and medical commitments, and financial undertakings.

Bringing home your senior

Receiving the news a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming, but with proper steps you will be able to move forward. Communicate with your senior as well as family members for a healthy support system. Assess the home for safety and make appropriate changes. By equipping yourself, your family, your loved one and your home, you can provide the best possible care.

 

Alzheimer's Home Living Structures - Article by - Lydia Chan
Alzheimerscaregiver.net

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