Giving Thanks and Celebrating the Holiday's with an aging loved with Alzheimer's/Dementia

    Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to share with family and friends and give thanks for the gifts we have been given.  So often we loose sight of all we have been given because of the stress of our busy lives and challenging life situations.  If you are among the thousands of New Hampshire families caring for an aging loved one, or lending a hand to a neighbor with Alzheimer's/Dementia, you are all to familiar with the rewarding and often frustating challenges of getting through the confusion of the holiday's.        

Although there are different stages of Alzheimer's/Dementia a person may experience, providing a meaningful experience is achievable and an important part of maintaining a person's dignity.  Because overstimulation and confusion is common when you are looking through the eyes of someone with demtia, following these helpful tips will help ensure Thanksgiving is a meaningful and thankful gathering.

• Be mindful of how your loved/friend is feeling (the bigger the gathering the more confusing)
• Have your loved one/friend assist with prep work. Give one step at a time
• Address holiday guests by name as they arrive and during discussion so your loved one remembers who they are
• Share family holiday memories through pictures and discussion; don't ask the person if they remember; let them share what comes to mind and validate
• Recognize when your loved one/friend is tired; allow them to go to a quiet area of the house and rest

Enjoy your Thanksgiving-Happy Thanksgiving!

Taking Care of the Caregiver

According to the National Family Caregiver Alliance, the term caregiver refers to anyone who provides assistance to someone else who is, in some degree, incapacitated and needs helps.  In the United States 61% of caregivers are women, 39% are men and the most frequently reported unmet needs are finding time for one’s self, managing emotional and physical stress and balancing work and family responsibilities. Adult Day Service providers recognize the importance of partnering with today’s busy caregivers to meet these unmet needs. They are committed to empowering and educating caregivers and they are unique in their ability to provide a variety of daily services to assist caregivers with balancing life and their role as a caregiver.  Services may include individual assessment, respite care, information & referral and training & support.

TIPS FOR CARING FOR TODAY’S BUSY CAREGIVERS: 

• Take care of your health
• Manage stress with diet, exercise and adequate rest
• Express your feelings to friends and family members or join a support group
• ASK FOR HELP.

How do I get additional information?

Stacy L. Thrall can be reached at (603) 425-1770 or sthrall@hereonearth.info 

In-law Apartments Present Unanticipated Safety Challenges

As thousands of New Hampshire families prepare to take care of their aging parents with Alzheimer's, many will consider having their parents move in to their residence.  Options may include occupying an extra bedroom or finished basement or adding on an in-law apartment.  In-law apartments appear to be a great choice, you are bringing your loved one into your home, but are still affording everyone space and privacy which is a reasonable expectation when older adults and their children live together at any age.

An average in-law apartment comes with a small kitchnette, oven, stove, and microwave, a refridgerator, bedroom, bathroom and a small living room.  Mom can heat food up in the microwave or take a shower in the morning, leaving the bathroom downstairs free for the grandchildren to brush their teeth before school.  On the surface this all seems to work. And for a while it does, but as someone with Alzheimer's progresses through the disease, major challenges and safety concerns begin to arise.  

Tasks such as using the microwave or boiling a pot of water without supervision become a safety concern.  Hallucinations at night or the inability to sleep can leave your loved one scared and at a distance from the main house.  If this sounds like a situation you may be dealing with, there are actions you can take to make living in the in-law apartment safe for as long as possible.  Here are a few tips:

• Unplug the stove & remove (or unplug) the microwave
• Remove or lock up the cleaning solutions 
• Use cooking & cleaning opportunities as an opportunity to spend time together
• Use a "baby" monitor to connect you with your loved one, particularly at night
• If safety is the major concern, relocate your loved one to the main part of the home

If you are concerned about your living situation, please feel free to contact me for a free phone consultation. 

Stacy L. Thrall BA Gerontology

(603) 425-1770