Caring For Someone With Alzheimer's

It's very easy to say "I'll never put Mom in a nursing home" when she's healthy. But if you're one of the many family caregivers of someone with Alzheimer's, that promise may not be easy to keep.

One of the most important things to consider is the safety of your senior parent. Many people try to handle everything on their own, thinking "It's my responsibility". But too often, we see that people wait too long. Don't wait until something happens, possibly causing serious injury. As the manager of a home care agency, I've seen this very thing happen all too often. I get frantic phone calls from family caregivers that have loved ones with Alzheimer's in the hospital after a fall. Their loved one is being discharged and they don't know where to turn for help.

How can you avoid having this happen to you? Become proactive. Instead of reacting to your circumstances, take steps to be prepared. Educate yourself on your loved one's disease. For example, you might get frustrated answering the same question for the tenth time. But your Mom thinks it's the first time she's asked. You need to respond and react each time like it's the first time the question was asked. Contact your local Alzheimer's Association or Red Cross for information that can arm and prepare you.

Learn how to ask for help. You might be trying to do too much yourself. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's requires a great deal of patience and sacrifice, and one person can't do it alone. Don't feel guilty asking for help. You'll be doing your Mom more good having help on your side. With your Mom's symptoms of forgetfulness, confusion and debilitation comes your symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, and headaches. Maybe you can ask a friend or family member to sit with your Mom to give you a much needed break. You can also contact a home care agency that can provide someone to assist your Mom with her care. These caregivers can also engage your Mom and participate in enjoyable activities with her.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's isn't easy, but you don't need to do it alone. You're only human and arming yourself with information, skills, resources and assistance will help you to know you're doing everything you can to provide your Mom with the best possible care. It may just help you keep that promise not to place her in a nursing home.

Murphy Ortiz is the manager of Family Choice Home Care. For more information about senior safety or home health care in New Jersey or Philadelphia, go to [familychoicecares.com]. or cal 856-273-7700