Outings and Alzheimer's

Caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter
The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition]

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two

National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health

ACTIVITIES: People with mild Alzheimer’s often enjoy the same places they enjoyed in the past - a favorite restaurant, park, shopping mall, swimming pool, museum, or theater. It is good to keep going and it is smart to plan ahead. Learn how. 

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Plan Ahead for Outings

Here are some tips to make outings fun:

• Plan outings for the time of day when the person with Alzheimer’s is at his or her best.
• Keep outings from becoming too long. Take note of how tired the person gets after a certain amount of time. Bring the person home before he or she becomes overtired.


• Use a business-size card to tell others about the person’s disease. Sharing this information with store clerks or restaurant staff can make outings more comfortable for everyone. My family member has Alzheimer’s disease. He might say or do things that are unexpected. Thank you for your understanding.

Eating Out

Going out to eat can be a welcome change, but it can also be challenging. Planning can help. Before choosing a restaurant, think about its layout, menu, noise level, waiting times, and the helpfulness of the staff. Ask yourself:

1. Does the person with Alzheimer’s disease know the restaurant well?
2. Is it quiet or noisy most of the time?
3. Are tables easy to get to? Do you need to wait before being seated?
4. Is the service quick enough to keep the person from getting restless?
5. Does the restroom meet the person’s needs?
6. Are foods the person with Alzheimer’s likes on the menu?
7. Is the staff understanding and helpful?

Before going to the restaurant, decide if it is a good day to go. If it is, think about the best time to go. Earlier in the day may be best, so the person with Alzheimer’s is not too tired. Also, the restaurant may be less crowded, and service may be quicker. If you decide to go later, try to get the person to take a nap first.

Before you leave home, gather what you need. Helpful items may include utensils, a towel, wipes, or bathroom items.

At the Restaurant

1. Tell the waiter or waitress about any special needs, such as extra spoons, bowls, or napkins.
2. Ask for a table near the restroom and in a quiet area. Seat the person with his or her back to busy areas.
3. Help the person choose a meal, if needed. Suggest food you know the person likes. Read parts of the menu or show the person pictures of the food. Limit the number of choices.
4. Ask the server to fill glasses half full or leave the drinks for you to serve.
5. Order finger food or snacks to hold the attention of the person with Alzheimer’s.
6. Go with the person to the restroom. Go into the stall if the person needs help. For more caregiving tips and other resources:

• The Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center is a service of the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health. The Center offers information and publications for families, caregivers, and professionals about Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive changes.

SOURCE:

• National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®

Caregivers- Ask the doctor about these medications

Caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter
The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition]

National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health NIH...Turning Discovery into Health

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There are 2 things that can be said about all FDA-approved medications:

1. They help many people.
2. They have side-effects.

The key is to get the right balance. Here is where to start:

Learn the Basics

Know each medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) the person with Alzheimer's disease takes. Ask the doctor or pharmacist:

1. Why is this medicine being used?
2. What positive effects should I look for, and when?
3. How long will the person need to take it?
4. How much should he or she take each day?
5. When does the person need to take the medicine?
6. What if the person misses a dose?
7. What are the side effects, and what can I do about them?
8. Can this medicine cause problems if taken with other medicines?

Managing medications is easier if you have a complete list of them. The list should show the name of the medicine, the doctor who prescribed it, how much the person with Alzheimer's takes, and how often. Keep the list in a safe place at home, and make a copy to keep in your purse or wallet. Bring it with you when you visit the person's doctor or pharmacist.

People with Alzheimer's should be monitored when a new drug is started. Follow the doctor's instructions and report any unusual symptoms right away. Also, let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.

Use Medicines Safely

People with Alzheimer's disease often need help taking their medicine. If the person lives alone, you may need to call and remind him or her or leave notes around the home. A pillbox allows you to put pills for each day in one place. Some pillboxes come with alarms that remind a person to take medicine.

Often, you will need to keep track of the person's medicines. You also will need to make sure the person takes the medicines or give the medicines to him or her.

Some people with Alzheimer's take medicines to treat behavior problems such as restlessness, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, and aggression. Experts agree that medicines to treat behavior problems should be used only after other strategies that don't use medicine have been tried. Talk with the person's doctor about which medicines are safest and most effective. With these types of medicines, it is important to:

• Use the lowest dose possible
• Watch for side effects such as confusion and falls
• Allow the medicine a few weeks to take effect

People with Alzheimer's should NOT take anticholinergic drugs. These drugs are used to treat many medical problems, such as sleeping problems, stomach cramps, incontinence, asthma, motion sickness, and muscle spasms. Side effects can be serious for a person with Alzheimer's. Talk with the person's doctor about other, safer drugs.

Other Safety Tips

Some people, especially those with late-stage Alzheimer's, may have trouble swallowing pills. In this case, ask the pharmacist if the medicine can be crushed or taken in liquid form. Other ways to make sure medicines are taken safely:

• Keep all medications locked up.
• Check that the label on each prescription bottle has the drug name and dose, patient's name, dosage frequency, and expiration date.
• Call the doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about any medicine.

For information about medicines to treat Alzheimer's disease, see the "Alzheimer's Disease Medications Fact Sheet."