Alzheimer’s: How To Help And Confront This Degenerative Disease?
Do you think someone around you may suffer from Alzheimer’s? Do you know how to deal with this degenerative disease? Discover the keys to helping people with Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer disease It is the most common cortical dementia after the age of 65 and has a clear correlation with aging, so that as age increases, the risk of suffering from it also increases. This fact is of great relevance in developed countries, since the continuous decrease in mortality and the increase in life expectancy mean that the number of people affected by this disease progressively increases.
The Alzheimer disease It is one of the degenerative diseases that are progressive and irreversible that is characterized, in the earliest stages, by an insidious appearance of memory alterations, disorientation, loss of initiative and spontaneity, as well as emotional and affective changes (these are frequent). depressive type symptoms).
The people with Alzheimer’s have initial problems that affect episodic memory (autobiographical memory), altering the memory of everyday events, such as where things have been left, or repeat the same question or story several times without remembering that they had done it before, or easily gets lost in new places, etc.
Progressively, forgetfulness extends to semantic memory (memory of meanings and conceptual knowledge) with which there is an inability to remember the names of things. People with Alzheimer’s disease show a severe deterioration in the memory of recent memories and the beginning of their adult life, while more maintain preserved memories of their childhood. These people show difficulties in learning new things. It is at this stage when those affected themselves or their closest relatives may realize that something is happening and this concern causes them to consult a doctor.
Alzheimer’s symptoms
At a more advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease other symptoms appear:
1. Aphasia or language disorders
The people with Alzheimer’s They begin to have difficulty finding the words they want to say, the names of people they know, their own phone number, or their address…
2. Apraxia or alterations in manipulative skills
In the first Alzheimer’s symptoms difficulties begin to appear in gestures such as combing one’s hair, using scissors, locking the door, walking…
3. Agnosia or perceptual alterations
In it Alzheimer’s brain Certain alterations begin to appear in perception, both with everyday objects, as well as with the body itself, or with language.
4. Collusion
This degenerative illness It ends up making people unable to distinguish between what is real and what is imagined.
5. Alterations in facial recognition
One of the most worrying symptoms of Alzheimer’s is the lack of recognition in family members and acquaintances. These alterations already appear in the last Alzheimer’s phases.
The Alzheimer’s disease It affects to such a degree that different changes begin to emerge in the personality of those affected. In this way, sometimes people with Alzheimer’s end up acting in a way that is unrecognizable to those they know.
7. Physical alterations
All of these changes make it impossible, in the long run, for the person to lead an independent life. In this way, this neurodegenerative disease It ends up making its victims dependent on their entire environment.
Throughout the process, family members, friends and acquaintances suffer the consequences of each of the Alzheimer’s phases, but above all the main caregiver is the one who assumes the responsibility of taking care of the most basic needs and facilitating the day-to-day life of this person. This entails an obvious risk to their health, which is not always well attended to and understood by those around them. This overload can lead to a state of irritability, worry, sadness, apathy, loneliness.
When diagnosed with dementia, it is necessary to accompany the patient throughout the disease process but please, let’s not neglect the health and happiness of caregivers.
Causes of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a disease that still does not have enough research to know what causes it and how to reduce it. Even so, there is some evidence about the Alzheimer’s causes.
Aging
Although old age does not causes this degenerative disease The reality is that the older you are, the more likely you are to suffer from it. Evidence shows that after age 65, the chances of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease double every five years. In this way, there are different studies that demonstrate how age-related changes in the brain damage neurons, making the onset of Alzheimer’s more likely.
Genetics
When a family member suffers from Alzheimer’s disease There is a greater chance of suffering from it. Family history is not a decisive factor in developing the disease either, but it is one of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s.
Environmental factors
There are some practices that favor the development and appearance of certain degenerative diseases. In this way, there is some research that links metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity with having a greater probability of suffering from the disease. dementia disease of Alzheimer’s. So much so that a healthy lifestyle, as well as activities that stimulate the mind, help people have fewer risk factors for suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s phases
He Alzheimer’s It doesn’t happen from one day to the next. The reality is that this degenerative disease develops its effects slowly but constantly. So much so that the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s can go almost unnoticed because they are often identified with small forgetfulness.
Stage 1: No deterioration
In the first stages of Alzheimer’s Many changes in people are not detected at first glance. Even so, some problems with memory may appear, as well as small forgetfulness.
Stage 2: First warning signs
In this the first Alzheimer’s symptoms Most prominently we can see the mistakes, as well as somewhat notable errors in memory.
Stage 3: Mild decline
It is at this stage of the Alzheimer’s disease when certain cognitive impairments begin to be noticed. In this phase, some of the best-known Alzheimer’s symptoms begin, such as not finding words in conversations, or a lack of organization and planning, as well as forgetting the names of new people you know.
Stage 4: Moderate decline
It is during this phase that clear signs of a Alzheimer’s brain. So much so that people suffer from:
Difficulty with simple calculations
They have poor short-term memory (for example, they may not remember what they ate for breakfast)
Inability to manage finances and pay bills.
You may forget details about your life history.
Stage 5: Moderately severe decline
In this phase of the Alzheimer’s disease, people begin to require help in their daily activities. That is why they experience these symptoms:
Difficulty dressing appropriately
Inability to remember simple details about themselves, such as their own phone number.
During these stages of Alzheimer’s People continue to recognize their family members and some of the details of their life history.
Stage 6: Severe Decay
It is in this phase of Alzheimer’s disease when the affected person has severe dependency problems. So much so that the main Alzheimer’s symptoms At this stage they are:
Confusion or ignorance of the environment and surroundings.
Inability to recognize faces except those of closest friends and family
Inability to remember most details of personal history.
Loss of bladder and bowel control
Major personality changes and possible behavioral problems
The need for help with activities of daily living, such as going to the bathroom and bathing.
Stage 7: Very severe decline
This is the last stage of the Alzheimer’s disease. In it, people who suffer from it are on the verge of death. Therefore, patients end up losing the ability to both communicate with others and respond to their environment.
What can I do if I have a close relative with Alzheimer’s?
The first thing of all is to start mobilizing a series of logistical issues that are not normally talked about. The person who suffers Alzheimer’s disease She will begin to be more and more dependent, so there has to be someone who is in charge of taking care of her. Many times it is the partners or children of the sick person who are in charge, but there comes a time when the role of caregiver may be unsustainable and outside help may be necessary.
Are degenerative diseases Not only do they end up destroying a person from the inside, but they also take a toll on all the family members and acquaintances who support the patient. For this reason, it is very important to take certain measures and face the situation with the best possible energy.
1. Repetitive behaviors
The people with Alzheimer’s They can really wear out our patience since they can ask the same question many times or look for something in the same place when they have already seen that it is not there. This wear and tear can cause us to get in a bad mood and say or do things that we may later regret. That’s why it’s very important that when he/she asks you the same question for the tenth time, you think something like “this is the first time he/she has asked me this” instead of “how annoying, I’m tired of telling him/her what.” same”. Another thing that can go very well is to encourage them to give the answer themselves. For example, if they ask what time it is, show them the clock so they can see for themselves.
Patients with this degenerative illness They usually have the need to move constantly and if you take them outside they tell you that they want to go home because they are tired but when they get home they continue moving from one side to the other. You have to look for activities that keep them active, such as painting, folding clothes or bags, putting objects in boxes, etc. That will keep them busy and they will also feel good for a moment. Of course, you have to work on patience, since they won’t be able to do the same activity for a long time.
3. Dangerous behaviors
Caregivers usually trust the sick person, but on the least expected day, dangerous behaviors begin to appear, such as leaving stoves on, gas or the house door open, etc. Situations may even arise such as leaving home alone and not knowing how to return or trying to go out at night thinking that that place is not your home. In these cases you have to err on the side of caution. It is necessary to remove keys from reach and ensure that appliances such as stoves and stoves are turned off before going to bed or leaving the house.
4. Aggression
It is very common in the moderate phase of the illness that the person yells at the caregiver, accuses them of stealing or hitting them and behaves aggressively, attacking the person who takes care of them. It is normal to feel sad when witnessing this type of behavior, but you have to try to think that the person speaking is not your family member but the disease. Try not to get nervous, since the more you deny, mark and yell, the more nervous the patient will get and the less he or she will pay attention to you. Talk to him from serenity, change the subject and draw his attention to other stimuli.
How to personally deal with the Alzheimer’s disease of a family member or acquaintance?
1. Work on guilt
We are not perfect and when we are caregivers, much less so. It is normal to sometimes lose your temper and say something that could harm the other person. We must accept that this situation is very complicated and we cannot always react in the best way.
2. Take care of yourself
Try to make your day not just about being aware of the person you care for. Look for activities that you like, try to disconnect as much as you can so that when you are with the sick person they feel well cared for and you have all the energy they require.
3. Seek help
Try not to just be the caregiver. Share this task with other family members or people, vent to your friends and family and seek professional help. Most of the time it is necessary but it is always recommended because it wears out the role of caregiver too much.
As we have already said, the Alzheimer’s disease Not only does it attack the person who suffers from it, but everyone around them is more than affected. For this reason, it is vitally important to have the help of both mental health and medical specialists. The best way to try to combat this disease is by promoting a positive attitude, as well as support from all family and friends.
