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United States
People caring for a loved one with Alzheimer Or other type of dementia they should focus on four main safety issues, says an expert.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease. About 16.1 million Americans provide care without payment to people with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia.
"When I'm in a family with dementia, I'm the standard of safety," said Dr. Andrew Duxbury, geriatrician of the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care of the University. from Alabama, Birmingham.
"All we do is make sure that the patient is safe and his family is healthy." In terms of safety, there are four main factors: meals, transportation, bills and pills, "he said in a press release.
With respect to meals, caregivers should determine if the person is able to prepare the food, eat a healthy and adequate amount of food and if they are aware of the need to eat, said Duxbury. "If a link in the chain breaks, maybe the person will not eat," he warned.
When it comes to safety in the kitchen, the "biggest problem is that they leave things on the stove or forget to turn off the stove, but if cooking is part of the routine of someone, let – cook it alone while watching what it does – another room, "he said.
"See it like this: would you let a 12-year-old prepare dinner?" Maybe so, but I would definitely be in the next room looking for something, "Duxbury said.
Other suggestions include planning meals that require minimal preparation or that can be prepared in the microwave; remove scissors and knives from counters and drawers; put labels on the kitchen cabinets; and hide the switch from the garbage disposer to prevent someone from accidentally turning it on.
It is not certain that patients with advanced dementia are preparing food on the stove or oven, Duxbury said.
With regard to leaving home, the loss of autonomy that occurs when you have to stop driving can be difficult for patients with dementia.
"Many times an elderly man simply wants to have the keys to the car, feel them in his pocket and see the car at the entrance," Duxbury said. "You can leave the keys, but not the keys of the car, give the keys to another car or remove the car key from the key ring.Thus you will have the keys, you will hear them clink in your pocket and you will see the car, but you will not be able to go anywhere. "
If a person can no longer drive, caregivers must make sure that there is another means of transportation, especially for doctor's appointments. Arrange for medications, purchases or meals to be sent to them.
Evaluate and monitor the financial situation of the person to make sure that she has enough money to pay the bills and that she does not benefit nor cheat, advised Duxbury .
Many seniors take several medications. Those who suffer from dementia often forget to take their medications or take together medications that can have harmful side effects. Caregivers need to make sure that their loved ones are managing their medications properly and that they attend appointments with the doctor. It is also important to know the other health problems of the person.
To help your loved one, prepare a pill box every day with this week's pills. Some pillboxes have timers and locks that can be prepared to prevent you from taking the wrong dose of the day.
Duxbury said that most people with dementia believe that they are fine.
"Families must remember that a person with dementia does not live in the same reality as us," he added. "They live in the reality of the dementia of their brains, these people could have a completely different perception of the world around them and their meaning … We must accept this reality as it is."
More information
In the United States, the National Institute on Aging provides more information on the care of a person with Alzheimer's disease.
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