Alzheimer’s Care Services Offered in Spokane

Our Mission: To Improve the Quality of Life for Those Living with Alzheimer's

Having a family member or loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease can be upsetting for everyone. However, depending on the severity or stage of the disease, they can stay living in their own home with professional care from Visiting Angels Spokane Alzheimer's care services.

What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

According to the Alzheimer's Association, this disease affects a person's memory, thinking, and behavior. As the person progresses through the stages of this type of dementia, the symptoms begin to interfere with daily tasks, such as forgetting if they have taken their medication or not recognizing their loved family members. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that Alzheimer's disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death in adults 65 and older. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease with no known cure.

Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging, and with lifestyle changes that support healthy living, you may be able to prevent or reduce the symptoms of this disease.

The early signs of Alzheimer's disease include:

• Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
• Problems with language.
• Disorientation relating to time and place.
• Impaired judgment.
• Problems with abstract thinking.
• Misplacing things.

Is There a Cure for Alzheimer's Disease?

For now, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of getting this type of dementia or slow the progression of the disease. As scientists continue researching Alzheimer's, we can hope that in the future, they'll find a cure for this disease.

What Are the 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease progresses through seven stages that may take between four and 20 years to develop. The seven Alzheimer's stages are:

Stage 1

During this stage, you may not notice any outward symptoms, but changes in the brain begin. This phase is sometimes called preclinical Alzheimer's disease and may begin as early as 10 to 15 years before major symptoms show. If you notice your loved one's cognitive skills faltering, you should screen them for Alzheimer's disease.

Stage 2

In this phase, you'll notice the person with Alzheimer's is getting more and more forgetful, beyond just basic forgetfulness that may happen to anyone from time to time. The person may have memory lapses or forget people's names, but they can still function with everyday activities and tasks.

Stage 3

During this period, you'll notice the person having notable memory difficulties, such as having trouble remembering something they just read, struggling to stay organized, and a general disruption of their daily lives.

Stage 4

Here, you'll notice increased memory loss and a decline in cognitive skills and behavior. The person may lose orientation of where they are, wander off and get lost, and have changes in sleep patterns. At this stage, the person may need continuous care.

Stage 5

This stage is where you'll see decreased independence. The person will have trouble performing simple tasks, such as getting dressed and general hygiene. Emotional changes may include hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

Stage 6

As the disease progresses and worsens, severe symptoms, such as having trouble communicating and major personality and behavioral changes, will begin to appear. People in this stage of Alzheimer's disease will need continuous care.

Stage 7

Because Alzheimer's attacks the brain cells that affect thinking, behavior, memory, and the body's systems, individuals in Stage 7 will begin to lose physical control. This includes walking, sitting, eating, and even swallowing. At this point, the person will need round-the-clock care.

How Is Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosed?

Frequent doctor visits are imperative if you suspect someone has Alzheimer's disease. The doctor can take blood and urine tests and conduct a series of neurological assessments and tests to determine which stage of Alzheimer's the patient is in. They'll assess memory impairment, identify behavioral changes, test thinking skills, and perform a physical examination to rule out other causes for memory or behavioral changes.

How Is Alzheimer's Disease Currently Treated?

Besides lifestyle changes, doctors can prescribe certain medications to help offset the severity of the symptoms associated with the disease and even slow down the progression through the stages. Speak with your loved one's healthcare provider or Alzheimer's specialist to see what medications may be right for the stage of the disease they are in. Family members can also seek Alzheimer's support groups or counseling to help them cope with the changes they see in their relatives who have Alzheimer's disease.

Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Prevented?

Alzheimer's disease is not genetic, and with certain lifestyle changes, a person may be able to prevent Alzheimer's or reduce its symptoms by:

• Preventing and managing high blood pressure.
• Managing blood sugar.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Being physically active.
• Quitting smoking.
• Avoiding excessive alcohol intake.
• Getting enough sleep.

Does Insurance Cover Alzheimer's Care?

Insurance companies such as Medicaid and Medicare will cover some of the cost of Alzheimer's with certain requirements:

Medicaid

Depending on the needs of the person with Alzheimer's, Medicaid will pay for some in-home care if the organization accepts Medicaid.

Medicare

If the individual has Medicare Part B, they will pay a portion of the costs of testing and a portion of medications with Medicare Part D. You'll need to speak to your Medicare provider to see if they'll pay for in-home Alzheimer's care and hospice benefits.

How Visiting Angels Spokane Can Help Care for Your Loved One With Alzheimer's

Depending on the severity and stage of Alzheimer's the person is in, our professional caregivers in Spokane, Washington, can offer Alzheimer's support with in-home care services, including:

• Preventing wandering.
• Client monitoring.
• Fall prevention and safety.
• Preparing healthy meals.
• Joyful companionship.
• Household organization.
• Personal hygiene.
• Transportation aid.
• Running errands.
• Medication reminders.
• Light housekeeping.

Click to read about more alzheimer's disease FAQ's

Caring For Someone with Alzheimers

Caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease requires compassion and tailored support for both the diagnosed individuals and their families. Learn more about caring for someone with alzheimers.

Contact Visiting Angels Spokane Today To Schedule a Free Consultation

Our mission for people with Alzheimer's is to help improve their quality of life while living at home. Once you've made the decision to have professional and compassionate care for a loved one with Alzheimer's, Call (509) 922-1141 we'll offer a free consultation while meeting your family member in their home where they feel comfortable. Once we've created a customized plan, our qualified and caring caregivers can begin their in-home Alzheimer's care. You'll have peace of mind that your loved one will have the care they need.