A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease is unique for every individual. For some, the disease progresses quickly and steadily, while others may experience a slower progression with symptoms that can come and go or even improve at certain stages. Regardless of the progression, Alzheimer’s home care can play a crucial role in supporting individuals and their families through each phase of the journey.
While many are familiar with the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s, fewer people realize the physical symptoms that can also emerge. Sometimes, cognitive issues can lead to physical symptoms, but at other times, these symptoms result from the direct physical effects of the disease on the body.
Whether your loved one is currently managing well or struggling, understanding what the future may hold is crucial. This knowledge helps caregivers prepare for upcoming stages of the disease and ensures they can access the right support, including Alzheimer’s home care, to feel more confident and provide the best assistance for their loved one along the way.
Common Cognitive Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease leads to a buildup of tangles and plaques in the brain, typically affecting the areas responsible for memory first. As a result, memory loss is often one of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms for those with Alzheimer’s. This memory decline can impact your loved one’s cognitive abilities in many areas.
With the support of specialized Alzheimer’s home care, you can help them manage the following challenges and maintain a better quality of life.
- Getting lost
- Forgetting recent events
- Not being able to follow simple instructions
- Forgetting planned events
- Forgetting names and words
- Struggling to make easy decisions
Physical Symptoms You May Not Know About
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the plaques and tangles that initially caused memory and cognitive issues also begin to affect the parts of the brain responsible for bodily functions, making Alzheimer’s home care an essential part of managing the disease.
- An inability to retain balance and to quickly adjust when the ground beneath becomes different (such as walking from a sidewalk onto grass or trying to step up on a curb).
- Their walk may change to a shuffling and slow gait. Feet may not be picked up off the ground and dragged across the ground as your loved one walks.
- They might struggle with controlling their bowels or bladder and begin to have daytime and nighttime accidents.
- They might have extremely weak and tired muscles, making it difficult to even get out of a chair.
- Their muscles may become stiff, making specific movements difficult.
- Their sleeping habits may begin to change, with either not being able to sleep through the night or having their days and nights confused.
Getting Help with Alzheimer’s Home Care Services
When cognitive loss combines with physical inabilities, it can make many daily care activities difficult for your loved one to manage on his own, and he’ll need continuous Alzheimer’s home care. As a caregiver, having your loved one stay with you as he goes through the changes Alzheimer’s disease brings on can be extremely challenging, so it’s important to have assistance from Alzheimer’s home care providers from the beginning of the disease diagnosis.
Having a trusted and recognized Alzheimer’s home care provider from the beginning who will be ready to assist with both the cognitive and physical help your loved one may need can help him be more likely to accept the help he needs than if you try to introduce someone later in his diagnosis.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Cimarron Hills, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs, CO, today. Call (719) 639-2663
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy, Black Forest, Cimarron Hills, Fort Carson, Gleneagle, Larkspur, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Perry Park, Rock Creek Park, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, and Woodmoor and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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