| Alzheimer's is a brutal disease. It takes its toll on | | | | was the cause of her actions. |
| the person who is diagnosed with it and all those | | | | Here are some of the common behaviors that |
| involved with Alzheimer's care. Understanding in | | | | might leave Alzheimer's family members feeling |
| advance a few of the behavioral similarities of | | | | guilty if you don't understand everybody's doing it, |
| those who suffer with the disease may help the | | | | not just your loved one: |
| Alzheimer's family with more understanding and, | | | | * Looking for mother, father, or spouse (often |
| therefore, less stress because you already know | | | | deceased for many years) |
| what to expect as "normal." | | | | * Repeatedly talking about going home * Waiting |
| Realizing that everybody else is doing the same | | | | for a family member to come for them * Asking |
| thing makes it much easier to deal with some of | | | | for keys or purse |
| these behaviors your loved one may exhibit from | | | | * Looking for their car * Paranoia * Commenting |
| time to time, especially once it becomes | | | | negatively about the physical and mental |
| necessary to move them into a care facility. | | | | conditions of other residents |
| One of the most difficult challenges for an | | | | * Crying |
| Alzheimer's family is deciding when and where to | | | | * Fearfulness |
| move an Alzheimer's patient once they are no | | | | * Sundowning |
| longer able to live at home. Feelings of guilt are | | | | * Aggression |
| not unusual for the family at this time. When we | | | | * Perceptual difficulties involving surroundings |
| became responsible for a loved one with | | | | * Perseverating on any of these topics |
| Alzheimer's our first decision was to move her | | | | Anyone involved in Alzheimer's caregiving should |
| from a nursing home to an assisted living center | | | | expect these behaviors to occur. Whenever |
| specializing in caring for Alzheimer's victims. | | | | possible try to redirect the person's attention to |
| The new environment provided a much higher | | | | something else. The patient may be persistent, |
| quality of life and independence for her while still | | | | but caregivers need to be more persistent. |
| maintaining her safety. Still, we agonized over | | | | Always be loving and kind. Let go of any guilt you |
| certain aspects of her transition to the new | | | | feel. Do not blame yourself for these behaviors. |
| environment. She said and did things that made us | | | | Remember they are normal for a person |
| feel enormously guilty. Gradually, we began to | | | | suffering from Alzheimer's. Finally, be patient and |
| realize that her behaviors were being repeated by | | | | realize these behaviors will probably decrease with |
| almost every other resident in the home. We had | | | | time. |
| no reason to feel any guilt. Alzheimer's disease | | | | |