Learn more about your options for finding care for seniors with Alzheimer's in Gastonia, Cramerton and surrounding areas in NC

According to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, up to 5.1 million Americans may be suffering from Alzheimer's disease, a severe brain condition that causes a gradual deterioration in memory, thinking and reasoning abilities. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's may be terrifying for families and their loved ones, but there are certain actions you can take to help your loved one get the support they need.

At Visiting Angels Gastonia, we've been providing in-home care for seniors with Alzheimer's for many years, helping them get the assistance they need to manage their symptoms and complete daily activities in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.

What Are Common Signs of Alzheimer's Disease?

If you are unsure if your loved one has Alzheimer's, keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Memory loss that interferes with daily living, such as forgetting recent events and names, where items go and other new knowledge.
• Having difficulties following a known recipe or keeping track of monthly expenses, difficulty concentrating and taking significantly longer to perform activities than previously should be regarded seriously.
• Difficulty doing routine duties at home or at work.
• Confusion regarding time and place, losing track of important dates, seasons and the passage of time.
• Difficulties with reading, gauging distance and identifying color or contrast, as well as problems grasping visual imagery and spatial relationships.
• New word issues in speaking or writing, which can include difficulty finding the right words, finishing phrases and following orders and dialogues.
• Misplacing items and losing the capacity to retrace steps.
• Reduced or poor decision-making judgment, like falling for monetary scams or a lack of attention to grooming and cleanliness.
• Absence from employment or social activities.
• Mood or personality changes, including increasing despair, fear, worry, or suspicion, quick and persistent mood swings, withdrawal, and disinterest in typical activities.

If your loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, it is critical that they be assessed by a professional and tested for Alzheimer's.

It is critical to remember that Alzheimer's disease is not a natural part of the aging process and should not be confused with simple forgetfulness. Everyone will experience one or more of these symptoms to varying degrees, but with Alzheimer's disease, these symptoms will gradually worsen and become more permanent.

What Should I Do if My Loved One Has Alzheimer's?

If a physician diagnoses your loved one with Alzheimer's, you can be proactive in making decisions about looking for care for seniors with Alzheimer's and helping your loved one manage their symptoms. While there is no cure for Alzheimer's, there are treatments and therapies that can reduce the progression of dementia symptoms and enhance the quality of life for your loved one while giving you peace of mind.

If you believe your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, it is critical to act quickly by getting them to a doctor and, if a diagnosis is established, putting a care team and strategy in place.

Here are a few simple strategies you should consider if you or someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer's:

• Educate yourself about the disease. The more you know, the more you can be prepared. You should research how to properly provide care for seniors living with Alzheimer's, including how to manage behavioral issues, what to do if your loved one wanders and what to do when symptoms start getting worse. You should also look into financial, legal and long-term care planning issues.
• Build a support system. Providing care for seniors with Alzheimer’s can be stressful and overwhelming. Find people to talk to, reach out for help and take care of your own physical and mental health along the way. Many local hospitals and departments of aging offer free support groups for families who have loved ones with Alzheimer's.
• Arrange professional Alzheimer's care services. Even if you are willing and able to be the primary caregiver for a loved one who is living with Alzheimer's, you will at some point require assistance, even if just for a short period of time. It also helps to introduce a professional caregiver when your loved one is still in the early stages of Alzheimer's, because changing routines may be more difficult and unpleasant as the condition advances. When researching your options for care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease, look for a care provider who has Dementia Care Professionals of America training or experience working with dementia care clients. Visiting Angels Gastonia, for example, is one local home care agency that provides this training to its staff. We want to ensure our caregivers have the training necessary to provide the level of care seniors living with Alzheimer's need in order to continue aging in place.

To learn how our Alzheimer's care services can help your loved one, call our Cramerton, NC office at 704-825-3350 to schedule a free in-home consultation with our care coordinators.