ALZHEIMERS IN THE LATER STAGES.- DIFFICULT BEHAVIOUR

The early stages of alzheimers are difficult for family carers, but the challenges of caring will in many cases be eased if they have looked after the loved one through dementia. If they are new to caring for an alzheimer patient there is a lot of information available and a lot of excellent support groups, so the difficulties that alzheimer sufferers are going through can be dealt with providing there is love and patience.
The latter stages of alzeimers present many more challenges. The patient's memory will probably have deteriorated as well as their cognitive abilities. Even simple things like using the toilet will present challenges to patients and carers alike and both will feel stress that has to be addressed.
The other difficulty is behaviour. Patients will not only suffer more from loss of memory and difficulties in recognition, but unusual behaviour may become extreme.
repetitive questioning can be very wearing on the carer. However, the cause is failing memory and one can imagine how scary it must be to not remember so many things. To feel insecure and lonely. For the patient it must be very stressful indeed and much of the difficult behaviour will be caused because of this and may become extreme.
This period of alzheimers disease and its consequences will test the carers love and patience to the utmost,but it is this gentle understanding that will be called for.
All of the difficult behaviour will have a cause and this is what must be looked for when dealing with the patient.
Repetitive words or movements are caused by stress. Perhaps the surroundings are too noisy or stressful, or perhaps just boredom is the cause. Life must be rather dull in alzheimer's world.!
Walking with the patient or playing games may help, however, don't forget the simple things, perhaps the patient needs to go to the toilet or their clothes are uncomfortable.
Repeatedly asking to go home is very common and is very stressful for family members as well as the patient.. It should be borne in mind that 'home' to an alzheimers sufferer may not mean the family home, it could be a childhood home or somewhere else where they have lived. So whilst the family must be sympathetic they must not take the patient's demands to heart.
To deal with this problem one should reassure the patient gently and try to divert their attention to something else.
Sometimes a patient will be constantly restless. This could be caused by hunger, thirst, the need for the toilet, constipation or perhaps pain. Gently question and re-assure. Bear in mind that it could be changes in the brain that are disturbing the patient. try and get the patient involved in some interesting activity.
Pacing up and down may show the need for exercise, or it could just be a need to use the toilet.
Fidgeting,shouting or screaming may indicate pain or illness or even more brain damage.Hallucinations also would tend to indicate brain damage.
Embarasing behaviour, such as opening flies or lifting the skirt may indicate confusion,boredom or a need to go to the toilet. They could also be because the patient is too hot.
Inappropriate sexual behaviour may be caused by brain damage or just an indication of the need for the toilet.
The way to deal with this is to is to gently and quietly discourage the activity and ask if the patient needs the toilet.
Night time walking and insomnia is usually because the patient needs more exercise. Try to encourage more day time activity, Also make sure that the patient has a hot drink at bed time and visits the toilet.
Sometimes the patient is confused between day and night. They need to be reminded that it is night.
Following a specific carer around is very common. This is caused by anxiety and insecurity. Try and distract the patient with some activity such as jig saw puzzles, or a walk.
Hiding things and forgetting things begins at the dementia stage of alzheimers. It is very common as is suspicion that others have stolen things. Just try and find the missing item and be patient. However, don't automatically dismiss the patient's accusations. Investigate in a diplomatic way.
There are many other challenges with alzheimer sufferers and love and great patience is called for. Remember that the patient is not deliberately being difficult. Imagine how difficult life is for an alzheimers sufferer and bear in mind that all behaviour is some kind of communication. The challenge is to understand what the body language means.

My own dementia is stable and there has been no further deterioration. My book progresses well and my overall health is excellent During my reading time. I am currently re-reading Dennis Wheatley books. I have the complete collection that I last read forty years ago. Just as enjoyable, he was a great writer. How nice life was before the cell phone!

Another beautiful day here in Paarl. The garden is waiting for rain so our water bill will be high again this month. The dogs are fine and behaving. The birds have been very vocal and Bobby has been chatting away in parrot to Sandy. A few human words thrown in as well.
No sign this week of the squirrels or the rats, although there are still noises in the roof of my shed. These are much less than before and are generally pigeons I think. I am hoping that the moth balls do work as a deterrent to rats!
Keep taking the tablets.
David Barnato.
Paarl.
South Africa