Spring Arbor Living Blog

Alzheimer’s symptoms grow worse as time progresses, the disease may have unpredictable changes; making it an extremely difficult task to care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease. For both the person with Alzheimer’s and the caregiver, arranging basic activities of daily living can be difficult. Eating, talking, sleeping, and finding things to do: all these things become difficult as the disease becomes more severe.  There are many ways to help manage these difficulties.

Nighttime can seem like a blessing for some, but for those with Alzheimer’s it can be difficult. Most people with Alzheimer have become restless and irritable around this time. Putting the person to bed may require some advance planning.

Limit daytime napping and encourage exercise during the day, but still allow for a sufficient amount of rest during the day. Try to schedule more physical activities such as bathing earlier in the day. And in the evening set a peaceful, quiet tone to encourage sleep. Make certain that the lights are dim and the noise is down to a minimum. In some cases playing soothing music may help, but only if the person enjoys it. Try to keep the person’s bedtime routine. NO caffeine late in the day.  If the person gets frightened or disoriented use night lights around the halls and bathroom. Spring Arbor knows that caring for a person with Alzheimer's takes time and patience which is why if you know someone with Alzheimer's and have any questions or wish you explore our communities, please contact us today.

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Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming.  In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers. For the family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s, even routine daily events, such as hearing or seeing evening newscasts, can be truly terrifying. As a result, Spring Arbor is dedicated to creating an environment for the loved one which is as safe and nurturing as possible.

With children, the term is “childproofing.”  For those with Alzheimer’s disease, there is no similar term, but the concept is the same. Many things around the home that pose no danger to people in full possession of their mental faculties can be major hazards for people with Alzheimer’s. There are many steps you can take to reduce the risk of your loved one getting into things he/she shouldn’t, or reduce the risk of injury. We have a few tips that we find work very well and we'd like to share with you all:

• Limit distractions and control noise.
• Play radios softly, and turn the telephone ringer on low.
• If your loved one watches TV, choose humorous or happy sitcoms, game shows and musical shows.  These types of shows can make the individual laugh and/or stimulate positive memories.
• Maintain consistency and organization
• Don’t rearrange rooms. Instead, maintain consistency by keeping furniture in the same place.  Keep the individual’s bedroom and living areas well-organized and keep pathways clear. In addition, clutter may confuse or upset people with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Encourage activities that are success-oriented and that make the individual feel productive.  Many individuals with Alzheimer’s enjoy outdoor activities.
• Lock up hazardous materials
• Keep all medicines, cleaning products and sharp utensils up or out of reach.
• Don’t forget, everyone needs a little TLC

With all the responsibilities and problems involved in caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s easy to forget how important a loving touch can be. A pat on the back, back rubs, foot massages, hugging or holding hands are calming, and they communicate love and safety in a way everyone can understand.  Several studies show that massage exerts a calming influence and minimizes behavior problems in Alzheimer’s care. Contact us today should you have any questions about living with Alzheimer's and steps to take.

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Do you know that there are wide ranging personal finance and tax saving opportunities that only a professional adviser is likely to be aware of. The staff at Spring Arbor Living would like to point out a few of the not so commonly known proactive measures that you can  take to ease the cost burden of assisted living serves.  If you are either the benefactor of assisted living services OR financially contributing to the same, you owe it to yourself to speak with a professional tax attorney about the implications on your Federal and State tax burden.   Under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (the "HIPAA"), seniors may be eligible to deduct portions or all of assisted living costs as a medical expense on their Federal tax returns.   ALL costs related to senior care may be deductible if the resident is unable to perform (without substantial assistance) at least two activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, dressing, etc. It can also apply to seniors who require substantial supervision to protect the individual from himself or herself because of severe cognitive impairment. Again, we encourage you to discuss the subject of assisted  living expense with an certified tax law professional.

For those of you financing a loved one’s assisted living, that is not reimbursed please realize that elder care medical expenses above 7.5 percent of adult children's adjusted gross income may be tax-deductible. You can and should contact your tax attorney or directly contact the e Internal Revenue Service.

For those who have or are about to enter resident assisted living, very often there is an emotional attachment to the family home that they are vacating.  Children can consider buying it from their senior parents and even  carry back the mortgage of the parent to increase the parents fixed income. If the family wants a formal loan structure, consider looking online or if you have a family financial adviser they can handle the paperwork and collection of payments, etc.

Of course financial matters are very private in most families. Don't be insulted if your parents refuse to share the details of their money while they retain full control. Do guide them to seek reputable guidance. If there is no family financial adviser you can find a very skilled and reputable financial planner through the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers (www.napfa.org) who can provide a second opinion and peace of mind for lifelong do-it yourself investors.

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Being a caregiver can take a toll on health and well being.  Caregiver stress is a common condition among those who care for those suffering from physical handicaps, Alzheimer's disease, or other forms of dementia.  If you're feeling overwhelmed caring for a loved one, you may be neglecting your own health.  Follow these tips from the Alzheimer's Association to keep your physical and mental health in good shape:

1)   Good Nutrition: Take time to eat a balanced diet.  Good nutrition maximizes your energy level.  
2)   Get Active:  Perform at least 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week.  This provides both physical and mental reward.
3)   Get a good night's sleep: One of the most important things you can do.
4)   Proactively address stress:  Reflect upon what relaxes you and prioritize those activities.
5)   Get some backup:  You don't have to do everything alone.  Learn what community resources are available in your local community.

The bottom line is this.  To take good care of others, you must first take good care of yourself.

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