Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's disease can be heart-breaking and taxing at the same time, especially when it is someone you care deeply about like your spouse, parent or grandparent. For many families today, taking their loved home instead of placing he or she in a nursing facility is the best option. If you are in charge of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, follow these tips for making it easier on you and your sick loved one.
Make Room For A Hospital Bed
Even if your loved one has a bedroom and a bed, you should make sure to have the bed replaced with a hospital bed. With a hospital bed, you can raise the rails for making sure your loved stays in bed. Many Alzheimer's patients, especially ones in the final stages, have nightmares. If your loved one has a nightmare and falls out of bed, he or she could sustain a serious injury. Placing a hospital bed near the bathroom is a good idea as well, especially if your loved one has a hard time getting around.
Take Home A Walker And A Wheelchair
Getting your loved around can be difficult if he or she has trouble walking, so having a walker and wheelchair at home is a good idea. A walker is a great help around the house while a wheelchair is wonderful to have when you need to take your patient to the doctor or out shopping. With an Alzheimer's patient, be sure to have a seat belt in the wheelchair for restraint. If you are out shopping, the last thing you want is to turn around from a rack of clothing to find your loved one has gotten up and wandered off. Bear in mind that Alzheimer's patients can easily get lost and be in serious danger without being aware of it.
Alarms On Your Doors At Home
Having alarms installed on your doors in your home is a good idea when you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's. Knowing when your patient walks out of a door to the outside is extremely important for their protection. Many patients have wandered off in this manner while caregivers were unaware of of their leaving the home. If you cannot afford an alarm system, hanging a bell over the doors is also a good way for you know when the door is opened. Having your yard fenced in can be helpful to prevent a loved one from wandering too far off as well.
While caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can be tough, the rewards can also be great. Learn more about the medical equipment and other supplies you can use by talking to your loved one's physician. Contact a business, such as Medi-Rents & Sales Inc, for more information.
Share11 May 2016
