Tuesday Tidings: Phase 2

"I am awake, I am ready to get up," explained a client of mine.  He questioned, "Why is it so dark outside?"  Not knowing that it was 4 o'clock in the morning, I reoriented my client in making him aware that it was early in the morning.  I was more than willing to get up with him if he wished, but he decided to go back to sleep.  Instances such as this becomes more and more prominent as a patient progresses through the second phase of disorientation in Alzheimer's disease.  Phase 2, time confused, brings about loss of cognitive abilities and "time travels" between past and present. Though, the patient responds to touch and warm eye contact, and they know who is genuine. 

It is important to remain calm in every situation, for Alzheimer's patients feed off of a caregiver's energy and attitude.  There are many reliable sources in which support and enable us as caregivers to cope effectively when caring for a disoriented loved one.  If is crucial to communicate with everyone who has contact with an Alzheimer's patient.  Being able to have meetings and also getting away for a bit to free your mind are essential for healthy caregivers. 

Is there someone you know who is time confused with Alzheimer's?  Do you or loved ones take the imperative time to communicate?  Do you need assistance in organizing your thoughts and actions to better be prepared for this journey?  I wait patiently for your responses. :)

Technique Tip #2

Bathing will usually come second nature to a person when they feel sticky from sweat, or smell an odor emerging from their body.  With a patient who has Alzheimer's, this might not be the case.  In fact, these individuals might even down right refuse to cleanse themselves.  Some may insist that they have already taken a bath today, yet we as caregivers know that it has been two days since their last wash.  A method I use as a caregiver is to give the patient two options as to when they would like to get cleaned up.  You might want to ask: "would you rather take a bath now or in an hour?"  This allows them to make their own decisions, but enables us to assist them in duties that they would not think of to accomplish.  Remember to give reminders to concerns of this nature.  Tasks, such as bathing, become increasingly difficult to conduct when Alzheimer's patients progress into the middle stages of dementia.      

Unforeseen behaviors can arise with Alzheimer's disease that an individual in their earlier years would have never been known to possess.  This occurs throughout all of the stages, though may become more pronounced and identifiable in middle stages of the disease.  We as caregivers must know what to expect and be prepared for the unthinkable to come our way.  In doing so, we can somewhat ready our minds, or at least lessen the blow of the emotional exhaustion we may experience.

Would anyone be inclined to share an experience of their loved one's behavior that has changed since their development of Alzheimer's disease?  This does not have to be a negative experience, for dementia can open doors to different varieties in practices of bonding.  How did this actuality make you feel?