Alzheimer's puts stresses on caregivers, but these strategies can help

Caring for a spouse or parent with Alzheimer’s disease can be a daunting task, said Linda Fisher, Pettis County Ambassador for the Mid-Missouri Alzheimer’s Association. As the disease progresses, communication is even more difficult — but there are techniques that help.

According to information provided by Fisher and the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 5.4 million Americans with the disease, who are cared for by 14.9 million unpaid caregivers.

In Missouri alone, there are 110,000 people with Alzheimer’s. Those numbers will increase, because the Baby Boomer generation is growing older. By 2030, there will be 7.7 million afflicted with the disease and by 2050, 11 million to 16 million.

Early onset is defined as being 65 or younger when diagnosed. Fisher found out her husband, Jim, had the disease when he was 49.

“This is one thing I always thought about,” she said. “I was in my early 40s and I couldn’t take care of him at home, and I often think of these little ladies in their 80s and men in their 80s trying to do this.”

Fisher worked full time and had to have someone stay with her husband. Sometimes Jim’s mother or her mother would care for him while Fisher worked, but often she would have to hire someone to be there.

Eventually, she and her children decided to place Jim in a care facility, she said, for his own safety because he wandered off so often. Fisher had become exhausted.

Jim had reached a point where he had to have help with bathroom needs, didn’t sleep well at night, forgot how to drive, couldn’t cut his own food, couldn’t dress himself, couldn’t read or write and had aphasia — the inability to speak. Although he couldn’t speak, he still wanted to communicate and became frustrated.

Her experiences with her husband’s illness have helped Fisher become a caregiver advocate. She will give a presentation at a caregiver conference in November in Joplin for the Southwest Missouri Alzheimer’s Chapter on ways to communicate with patients.

She said body language is very important when speaking to someone with Alzheimer’s. Also, the best way to speak is in simple short sentences with one instruction at a time. If you give your loved one two instructions, they will only act on the last one. Their short-term memory loss prevents them from remembering the first instruction.

For people with Alzheimer’s, only 7 percent of their communication is understood in words.

• They have difficulty finding the right words or use them in the wrong context.
• Often they use familiar words or phrases repeatedly.
• They will make sounds but not form words.
• They take words literally, such as “hop on the bed,” “run to the store.”
• They can’t organize words logically.
• They revert to their native language.
• They may use curse words.
• They sometimes speak less often.

When speaking to Alzheimer’s patients, 38 percent of communication is in the tone of your voice. Body language makes up 55 percent. Fisher suggested trying these tips:

• Approach from the front.
• Avoid sudden movements.
• Use positive, friendly facial expressions.
• Use unspoken language such as pointing, touching and gestures.

Fisher suggested ways to help improve communication is to address the person by their name, show interest in them, offer comfort and reassurance and avoid criticizing or correcting.

When speaking to your loved one, allow time for them to respond, avoid negative remarks, limit distractions such as the television and don’t talk about them as if they weren’t there.

“I always say, what works today might not work tomorrow,” she added. “You just have to take it as it comes. It’s a challenge — you have to think on your feet.”

Fisher also advocates health awareness and stress-relieving strategies for caregivers. She said that caregivers will learn more from other caregivers than from doctors.

“Doctors are more interested in the medical aspect of it than the day-to-day care.”

Some ways to relieve stress for the caregiver:

• Daily exercise — walking is great.
• Aromatherapy — bubble bath, lighted candles.
• Meditation — a great way to unwind and rejuvenate the spirit.
• Therapy — for anger issues.
• Medication — for depression.
• Reading and writing — inspirational books, writing can be therapeutic.

Don’t neglect your health while caring for others, Fisher suggested these strategies:

• Keep physically and mentally active, keep doctor visits, eat healthy.
• Stay in touch with friends.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Seek support from family and friends.
• Keep a positive attitude — it’s you best defense.

For those who need additional information or support while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, Fisher suggested visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website (alz.org).

Fisher, an author of four books on Alzheimer’s, also has a website and a blog with information: lsfisher.com and earlyonset.blogspot.com.