{"id":51445,"date":"2021-11-26T13:34:38","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T18:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/?p=51445"},"modified":"2021-11-26T13:34:47","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T18:34:47","slug":"conversation-is-a-critical-element-of-caringfor-a-loved-one-with-alzheimers-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/2021\/11\/conversation-is-a-critical-element-of-caringfor-a-loved-one-with-alzheimers-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Conversation is a critical element of caringfor a loved one with Alzheimer\u2019s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by John Grimaldi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than six million Americans have been diagnosed as having Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and that number is growing at too fast a rate; the projection is that the numbers of Alzheimer\u2019s patients will more than double by 2050. According to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, 11.2 million Americans are volunteer caregivers for loved ones with the disease. In fact, family members and friends account for 83% of all Alzheimer\u2019s caregivers. The pros are trained to know what to do, but \u201ccivilian\u201d helpmates may need help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThree of the main reasons [novice] caregivers provide assistance to a person with Alzheimer\u2019s or another dementia are: (1) the desire to keep a family member or friend at home (65%), (2) proximity to the person with dementia (48%) and (3) the caregiver\u2019s perceived obligation to the person with dementia (38%). Caregivers often indicate love and a sense of duty and obligation when describing what motivates them to assume care responsibilities for a relative or friend living with dementia,\u201d says the Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a daunting task that requires commitment and perseverance and that\u2019s where \u201clove and a sense of duty and obligation\u201d enter into the equation. Day to day assistance with hygiene, dressing and incontinence as well as routine activities of daily living are difficult enough for these amateur caregivers. But, perhaps, as challenging as these routines may be, it can be frustrating at best for novice helpmates to engage in conversation no matter how simple the chat may seem. Bear in mind that verbal give-and-take is a critical element of taking care of someone with Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease impairs both the patient\u2019s ability to verbalize their thoughts and his or her ability to understand what you are saying. In addition, in many cases, especially as the disease progresses, they can\u2019t remember words or things that have happened in their lives nor, perhaps, recall who you are. Their capacity to communicate fails them and, as a result, it might hinder their ability to \u201cmaintain their dignity and self-esteem.\u201d Many amateur caregivers who have been at it for a long time understand the importance of conversation. But, if you are new to it, here are a few recommendations, courtesy of the Alzheimer\u2019s Association<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n