If your elderly loved one has late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, they are going to need a lot more support. They will need you, possibly other family members, and elder care providers. In fact, they might even need elder care providers to be with them all day and all night. It is important to learn all that you can about this stage of Alzheimer’s disease.
Expectations for Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
During the late-stage of this disease, your elderly loved one will experience various symptoms. Some of the symptoms that they may have include the following:
- Complete memory loss
- Trouble talking or not being able to talk at all
- Can recognize faces but can’t remember names
- Mistakes a certain person for a different person
- Trouble swallowing (might need a feeding tube)
- Trouble sitting and walking
- Difficulty breathing
- Having delusions
- Needing something comfortable to hold
- Not being able to recognize when they are hungry or thirsty
- Needing assistance with every daily living activity
- Losing bladder and bowel control
This can seem like a lot and it is. This is why it is essential that you hire the necessary help. There are elder care providers who are experienced with handling late-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Now that you know more about the symptoms, you should learn more about how to care for your loved one at this stage.
Preserve Dignity and Quality of Life
By this point in the disease, your elderly loved one isn’t going to know much about what is happening. However, it is important that you do all you can to preserve their dignity and quality of life. Let them know that you love them through their senses. For instance, you can play their favorite song for them.
Dealing with the Memory Loss
It can be tough when your elderly loved one doesn’t recognize you. Keep in mind that just because your loved one doesn’t recognize you, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a relationship left. You can still use body language to communicate with them. Keep that connection alive for as long as you can.
Take Care of Yourself
It is important that you take breaks often. Take advantage of the help that you can get from elder care providers. This can be an exhausting, tough, and emotionally draining time. However, you don’t have to do it on your own.
Conclusion
These are some of the things that you need to know about late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Once your elderly loved one gets to this stage, they will need a lot of help. Be sure you create a care team, so you don’t have to do it on your own.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/coping-late-stage-alzheimers-disease
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING ELDER CARE IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.