Isn't Alzheimer's just about memory loss? (Alzheimer's Disease)

When we think of Alzheimer's, we all think of memory loss. That's true, it's the main symptom of the disease. But that's not all there is to it. Over time, this condition can cause a number of mental, emotional, and physical problems. So, if you have a loved one, like a mother, father, grandmother, or aunt, who is suffering from this disease, knowing what to expect in addition to memory loss and how we can help them will be a great help in caring for them. Let's talk about that.

Aggressive and restless behavior

People with this disorder may become agitated and angry for no apparent reason. Imagine your loved one suddenly becoming restless, pacing around, screaming, throwing things at you, and perhaps even trying to hit you. It's natural for us to get agitated at times like these, but it's important to understand that this behavior is part of the disorder.

Things you can do at a time like this:

• Create a quiet environment: If there is a lot of noise in their environment (for example, the sound of the TV), they may become more confused and agitated. So keep the environment as calm and quiet as possible.
• A consistent routine: Changes in their routine, such as having guests over or traveling, can make them feel uneasy. So try to get them into a consistent routine as much as possible.
• Pay attention to physical discomfort: They may be fussing because of pain, fatigue, or a physical need like going to the toilet. So pay attention to that as well.
• Stay calm: Even if they yell angrily, don't argue or blame them. That can make the situation worse. Keep your voice calm and be patient.

Difficulty controlling urine and stool

This is a difficult topic to talk about, but it's important to be aware of it. As the disease progresses, they may find themselves unable to control their toilet needs. Here's how to help them:

• Take them to the bathroom every few hours if possible.
• Pay attention to their behavior. If they are fidgeting or pulling at their clothes, it could be a sign that they need to go to the bathroom.
• If you're going out, find out in advance where the toilets are.
• Tell them to reduce the amount of water they drink a little as they get closer to going to bed at night.

Depression

This condition is very common among patients. Sometimes, this condition can be controlled with antidepressant drugs prescribed by the doctor . Also, the following things can help to improve their mood:

• Engaging in regular exercise.
• Making time to spend with other people.
• Directing them to their favorite hobbies and activities.

How to prevent falls and accidents?

This disease can cause a decrease in balance and coordination between different parts of the body. This makes them more likely to fall. A fall is very dangerous at this age. If a bone breaks, the situation can be even worse. So we need to prepare the home environment to protect them from accidents.

• Exercise: Encourage them to exercise as much as possible, from the early stages of the disease. This helps maintain body strength and balance.
• Remove hazards in the home: Remove anything that could trip you over, such as rugs, extension cords, etc. If you have pets, make sure they don't cause any hazards.
• Stairs: Install a handrail on at least one side of stairs.
• Bathroom: Install non-skid strips in the bathroom and bathtub. Also install grab bars so you can grab onto them.
• Nightlights: Keep a small light on so you can see when you're walking around at night.
• Glass doors: If you have large glass windows or doors, put something like a nice sticker on them to make it easy to see that they are glass.

Protection from infections

In the later stages of the disease, the body's immune system may also be somewhat weakened, making it more likely to develop infections such as urinary tract infections, the common cold, and pneumonia.

• Talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot every year.
• It is also a good idea to get the pneumonia vaccine once after the age of 65.
• If you notice a sudden change in behavior, new symptoms, or fever, it could be a sign of an infection. See a doctor immediately.

Wandering

This is one of the biggest fears for someone caring for someone with Alzheimer's. As the disease progresses, memory loss can make them feel like they need to leave the house and go somewhere. If they leave the house alone like this, they are much more likely to get lost and get into an accident.

To prevent this, do these things:

• Doors: Install door locks slightly higher so they can't open them easily. You can also install an alarm that makes a sound when the door is opened.
• Keys: Don't leave things like car keys in plain sight.
• ID Bracelet: This is very important . Wear an ID bracelet or necklace that has their name, address, and your phone number on it. If they get lost, it will help someone find them and contact you.