How to cope with agitation in your loved one who has Alzheimer’sWritten by William G. Hammond, JD
Many times, understanding meaning of a word can give us great insight into issue at hand.What is agitation? ·Extreme emotional disturbance. (The American Heritage Dictionary of English Language) ·A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquility; disturbance of mind that shows itself by physical excitement. (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary). ·A mental state of extreme emotional disturbance, feeling of being agitated; not calm. (WorldNet 1.6). Many Alzheimer’s patients experience agitation in addition to memory loss. In early stages of illness, people with Alzheimer’s may encounter changes in their personality, such as irritability, anxiety or even depression. But as disease progresses, these symptoms can worsen and become more difficult to live with. They may include sleep disturbances, delusions and hallucinations. Many times Alzheimer's patients cannot get in touch with or express their feelings. So when they experience agitation, it is often difficult for caregivers to understand and to help. When a person with dementia displays agitation or other “symptoms,” you must try to determine what they are trying to communicate. Good communication is an important part of any relationship. When caring for a person with dementia, ability to communicate becomes more and more difficult. Both expressing and processing information becomes impaired. This inability to express and process can be frustrating and can manifest itself as agitation. Following are some suggestions that may allow you to improve your communication with your loved one who has Alzheimer's: ·Approach from front to prevent startling him or her. ·Maintain eye contact. ·Lower tone of your voice. A high pitch may indicate that you are upset. ·Smile and be pleasant. ·Talk with a calm presence. ·Speak slowly, clearly and directly. ·Identify yourself. ·Use short, simple sentences.
| | What is an advance directive? Does an Alzheimer's patient need one?Written by William G. Hammond, JD
An advance directive allows you to communicate your health care preferences when you no longer have capacity to make your own decisions. It is a legal document, such as a living will or a power of attorney for health care. If you are able to communicate your medical preferences, then you will do so. If, on other hand, you lose ability to state your wishes, advance directive allows you to name someone to make decisions for you if you cannot.The greatest benefit of your advance directive is its power as a communication tool. Discuss your advance directive with your doctor, make your wishes about health care known to your family. Once you have completed advance directive, make some copies and give one to person you chose to make decisions for you. And if your loved one is hospitalized, make sure a copy is in his/her medical records. Below you will find some terms that will be useful to you: ·Health Care Directives: it is a document that allows you to state in advance your wishes, regarding use of life-prolonging procedures. Like a living will, in most states it will take ONLY EFFECT WHEN you are not able to make decisions on your own. ·The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions: it allows you to appoint a person of your choice to make health care decisions on your behalf when you are incapacitated. In most states this document will take effect ONLY WHEN you are not able to make decisions on your own. ·Living will: A document that states your end-of-life decisions in event you have an incurable illness or injury.
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