Millions of Americans are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. In many cases, loved ones will have to take care of these persons on a day-to-day basis. As an African American, though, you’re almost twice as likely to have a relative that will develop the disease.
Many caregivers will agree that it’s not necessarily easy to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease but developing a plan for daily care can be helpful.
1. Create A Daily Routine
Persons with Alzheimer’s disease don’t handle change very well. By creating a routine, you ensure that they have a comforting familiarity to look forward to.
That doesn’t mean you have to schedule everything to death. It’s enough to build their days around simple activities such as taking their medications, bath time, and a fun element they’ll enjoy.
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2. Get Them Involved In Decision-Making
Depending on how the disease has progressed, your loved one might be disgruntled or displeased with having decisions made for them. In this case, get them involved in simple decisions such as what they’d like to eat, what they’d like to wear, or what activity they’d like to do. Giving them a choice fosters good communication and maintains good mental health.
3. Plan For Delays
When you’re planning activities, always factor in extra time for delays. This time will be essential the more complex a task is.
If your loved one feels rushed or like they’re failing at a task they’ve been given, it will only lead to frustration for both of you. It’s best to take things slowly.
4. Make Allocations For Pets
If your loved one had a pet before being diagnosed, it can be great for their mental health if the pet stayed. However, since they might not be able to take care of the pet as well as they used to, you’ll need to factor that into your daily routine.
