People with Alzheimer’s aren’t always able to accurately express how they feel physically—even when asked. Monitoring vital signs every day helps caregivers spot health changes before they become emergencies.
What Caregivers Can Do
1. Start With “Normal”
Ask the doctor what is “normal” for your loved one. For example, some people “run hot” and their normal body temperature is above 98.6º. Some people are taking high blood pressure medication when they are diagnosed with Alzheimer's. There are standards vital signs ranges, but your loved one’s normal might be above or below that. When you know what “normal” is for your loved one, it's easy to see if they are high or low on a reading. Taking vital signs every day at home helps identify abnormal readings quickly. If your loved one's vital signs aren't normal for them, contact the doctor.
2. Make A Routine
Routines help people with Alzheimer’s feel comforted and calm. Routines reduce stress and provide a sense of familiarity, because they reduce aggression, restlessness and agitation. Create a routine for taking vitals each morning. Take them at the same time each day. Take them in the same place — for example, at the kitchen table, or in the living room.
At first, starting routines in the early stage Alzheimer's, might seem like overkill. But, routines established in the early stages can quickly become familiar and automatic. Waiting to begin new routines can be frightening to someone with Alzheimer's in the later stages of the disease. This can increase the chances of your loved one resisting change, and make taking vitals a struggle.
3. Track The Essentials
Changes in vital signs can be caused by the early signs of infection or illness; sometimes they can be a side effect from Alzheimer’s medications. Mimic the beginning of every doctor’s visit by tracking temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and body weight. Ask your doctor what to do if any of your loved one’s vital signs are out of the “normal” range for them.
4. Notice Patterns
Are vital sign changes connected to changes in medications, transitioning between Alzheimer’s stages, or milestone health events (e.g., a new medicine, a surgery, or a temporary stay in a rehabilitation hospital)? Share any changes with your loved one's doctor between and during visits.
Need to brush up on taking vitals? Click below:
Alzheimer’s Medication Side Effects On Vital Signs
Below are the most commonly prescribed Alzheimer's medications, along with the documented side effects that could impact vital signs for someone with Alzheimer's.
| Brand Names | Drug Name | Side Effects | Approved |
For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aricept,Adlarity | Donepezil | Common side effects include: low blood pressure, unusual tiredness or weakness.
Less common side effects include: Rare side effects include: |
1996 |
Mild, Moderate, Severe AD |
| Exelon | Rivastigmine | Common side effects include: loss of strength.
Less common side effects include: |
1997 | Mild – Moderate AD |
| Razadyne | Galantamine | Less common side effects include: lack or loss of strength, unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness and weight loss.
Rare side effects include: |
2001 | Mild – Moderate AD |
| Namenda | Memantine | Less common side effects include: change in walking and balance, coughing, clumsiness or unsteadiness, difficulty with moving, hyperventilation, difficulty with breathing, shortness of breath, sleepiness or unusual drowsiness, tightness in the chest, tiredness, unusual tiredness or weakness and wheezing. |
2003 | Moderate – Severe AD |
If your loved one is taking Alzheimer's medications, ask your doctor about the side effects.
Managing a loved one's health at home is a big job. Use this free download to track your loved one's vitals at home and get one step ahead of Alzheimer's.
