I
am convinced that my grandma’s good and bad days have something to do
with the weather. I notice that on cloudy, rainy days her memory is
worse, her attention span is non-existent, and her mood plummets. I’m
not sure that there is any medical evidence about Alzheimer’s and the
weather, but I do know that many factors affect whether or not a day is
good. Stress, fatigue, and activity level affect the Alzheimer’s
patient just as they affect you.
Keep a journal and make notes on
your patient’s memory and mood, rate them from 1-10. Make note of the
weather, how much sleep your patient got the night before, whether or
not it’s a holiday or day of some significance, and what your patient
ate. Eventually you may see a pattern. You’ll know which days to expect
more memory lapses or mood swings.
Even if you don’t find a
pattern, a journal is good for many other reasons. It will help you
vent your frustrations and feelings on paper, clearing your mind and
keeping you sane. You may also make note of things that are important
to tell the doctor. Certain hallucinations and delusions can be a sign
of medical problems.
Take Advantage of Services
There
are many resources available to caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. The
Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) has local chapters which provide
services such as a helpline, special events, support groups, and
educational programs. Many chapters also offer respite care services to
give the caregivers short term breaks from full-time care (respite
guidelines available at 1-800-273-2555).
Hospice Care is also a
service which can aide Alzheimer’s caregivers. Hospice Care is often
understood to be a place where terminally ill patients go to die. In
fact, Hospice Care is a service, provided to terminally ill patients
and their families. While you may not need help with obtaining
medications or getting to doctor’s appointments, you the caregiver may
need a break every once in a while. A volunteer can come and sit with
your patient while you spend with your family, running errands, or just
enjoy being alone.
The Hospice Foundation of America website
(www.hospicefoundation.org) will help you find a hospice program in
your area. Volunteers and staff are trained to help you with the needs
of a terminally ill patient. They provide a wide variety of services,
not the least of which is a sympathetic ear.