Alzheimer's caregiving is different than other types of caregiving. From tracking vitals to stopping unnecessary medications, use these eight simple tips to get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving at home.
1. TRACK VITAL SIGNS
Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving with a daily routine that tracks vital signs. Staying organized as an Alzheimer's caregiver is easier with the basics are taken care of.
Alzheimer's caregiving routines create consistency, stability and familiarity — both for caregivers and the people they care for. In an uncertain reality, consistency, stability and familiarity lower anxiety for Alzheimer’s patients. Lowering anxiety for Alzheimer’s patients can also help reduce difficult behaviors like resistance, agitation and aggression.
2. AVOID MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Alzheimer’s weakens the immune system, making patients more susceptible to illness. For example, many seniors with Alzheimer’s can also experience urinary tract infections, constipation, and diarrhea. Many infections and conditions have telltale physical signs caregivers can use for early detection, including changes in blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, temperature, sleep patterns, appetite, mood, and energy levels. Monitoring vital signs, habits, and activity helps caregivers flag infection and illness early — before they turn into emergencies.
3. TRACK INDEPENDENCE
Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving by monitoring their independence. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are twelve skills/behaviors/habits that medical professionals use to assess independence in someone with Alzheimer’s. Caregivers can monitor ADLs at home. Adjusting caregiving strategies is easier when caregivers recognize a change in independence due to Alzheimer's progression. Read more about Alzheimer's and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) here.
4. STOP NEEDLESS MEDICATION
Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving by monitoring all medications with an Medication List. Include prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs. Review medications periodically with doctors and your pharmacist to ensure they are, in fact, helping and necessary. Monitoring drugs at home, with the pharmacist and at the doctor's office can help caregivers stop needless medication.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, swallowing can be challenging for some people. The discomfort or pain of swallowing multiple pills can cause Alzheimer’s patients to resist taking medication, compromising their health and frustrating caregivers. If your loved one is struggling to take medication by mouth, ask your doctor is it's available in an alternate form like transdermal patches or liquids.Â
5. AVOID MEDICATION MISTAKES
Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving with a daily Medication Log. Seventy-five percent of Americans have difficulty taking medications as prescribed — even without Alzheimer's. Missed, incorrect, and double-dosing are common. Using a daily Medication Log helps caregivers avoid medication mistakes, and ensure Alzheimer’s patients benefit from drug treatments.
6. RECOGNIZE SIDE EFFECTS
Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving by monitoring medication side effects. Alzheimer's medication side effects can overlap with or worsen Alzheimer’s symptoms. For example, some Alzheimer's medications side effects include confusion, brain fog and memory problems. By recognizing side effects faster, caregivers can avoid emergencies and provide accurate feedback to doctors and pharmacists.
7. LOWER PRESCRIPTION COSTS
Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving with generic options and patient assistance programs. Generic drugs and patient assistance programs can help offset medication costs. Cost is the second most popular reason seniors stop taking prescribed medication.Â
The best way to find out if generic drugs are an option is to ask your doctor during a medication review. Caregivers can also request generic substitutions from their pharmacist. Generics can contain identical ingredients, but at a fraction of the cost.
8. MAINTAIN CARE CONTINUITY
Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving by making care continuity a priority. More than one-third of Americans delay doctor visits, and seniors cancel 50% of their appointments. Missed/delayed medical care (e.g., exams, diagnostics, and procedures) are linked to early death. People with long term mental health conditions, (like Alzheimer’s) are at particular risk.
Maintaining care continuity is linked to better results, increased patient satisfaction, and reduced costs. Get organized for Alzheimer's caregiving with a dedicated Medical Calendar for all scheduling, tests, and appointments.
