Alzheimer’s disease generally progresses over three stages: early, middle, and late. Those diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s still have a largely “normal” life and everyday routine, but may struggle with memory lapses. Middle-stage Alzheimer’s is very different, as those same individuals require a new, more specialized level of care. Often, their daily life needs readjusting. 

The middle stage typically lasts the longest and can develop into the late stage, the most severe, which sees the patient losing the ability to care for themselves and having trouble carrying on with conversations. Due to the middle stage’s long-lasting effects, it’s important for family members and friends to educate themselves on the condition, what it does to the loved one in question, and what they can do to help.

What You Can Expect 

Every individual that deals with middle-stage Alzheimer’s has a separate, unique experience. Some forget to turn off the stove on occasion. Others struggle with names of friends they don’t socialize with often. They may also struggle with performing daily tasks or expressing their thoughts. You may notice that they’re getting frustrated easily, unable to recall past memories, or getting lost. 

As the months and years pass, the individual in question may require more assistance from family members and caregivers. They may choose to withdraw from social situations, as recalling certain names and faces becomes difficult and embarrassing to them. Don’t forget, while their capacity to remember and retain information fades, their emotions don’t go anywhere but rather amplify over time.

Changes in Daily Activities 

Once entering the middle stage of Alzheimer’s, a change in their daily activities is likely necessary. Getting dressed, eating, and tasks like brushing teeth can start to cause stress due to the loss of independence that they once had. If you experience the individual getting frustrated, take a step back and allow them to finish the task on their own. Giving them space but encouraging them to complete it will boost their confidence once finished. In order for caregiving to be effective and permitted by the individual, they need to hang onto their integrity and self-respect. 

Adjusting to Advanced-Stage Care

Going from needing little-to-no care in the early stage to requiring assistance with simple tasks later on is taxing on the individual seeking care. It can have a negative effect on those already experiencing mental strain. This new level of care is essential, therefore, in helping them feel comfortable and understood. A caregiver’s approach is tailored to the specific needs of the individual, which includes taking on new responsibilities as they present themselves. 

Mid-stage Alzheimer’s care also consists of helping individuals slowly adapt to a new routine while ensuring their voices are heard. Family members and friends should be informed when any necessary changes are made, and visits should be planned out in a manner so they don’t overwhelm the person being looked after.

With consistent care, communication and compassion, an individual with middle-stage Alzheimer’s can live a fulfilling, safe and comfortable life. Our Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairment services at C-Care can help at any stage. If this sounds like something you or a loved one needs, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re here for you and those you cherish, every step of the way.

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Wondering if music can help someone with Alzheimer’s? While certain areas of the brain experience memory loss and impairment, studies have shown that the memory of music generally remains unharmed in patients. So playing music is often something they will remember, even if they’ve forgotten the names and faces of loved ones. Listening to music can also help to improve mood, reduce agitation, and alleviate anxiety and depression, no matter what stage of the disease a patient is in. Here are some ways to use music to benefit your loved one.

Play Their Favourite Tunes 

Music is a powerful tool that can instantly uplift our spirits and make us feel happier. But this depends on what type of music is being played, of course. Before you put on some music for your family member, think about what they enjoy listening to. What artist, genre or songs did they use to listen to years ago? If you’re unsure, ask other relatives or friends who might know the answer. Then make a playlist based on that.

Change the Tempo for Different Activities

Remember to have a variety of different music for different purposes. Try to stick with soft and soothing music during morning routines, bath time or other moments when you want them to feel calm and at ease. When you want to boost their mood and liven their spirits, play upbeat music to help put a smile on their face and encourage them to tap along. Creating separate playlists for different activities can make it much easier to switch it on in an instant before you get started with a particular activity.

Sing with Them

Singing is a fun way to bond with your loved one and enjoy a few happy moments together. Some research has even shown that singing can help to rekindle and stimulate memories. 

Encourage Them to Get Up and Dance

Sitting for hours each day isn’t good for their physical or mental health. Dancing is an excellent way to encourage your loved on to get up and move around. Even if they tap or dance in their chair, that’s a great start.

Try to Avoid too Much Stimulation

If you’re playing music and the TV is on at the same time, this can be overstimulating, which can cause irritation and confusion. Avoid competing sounds and turn one thing off when you switch on another.

Take Cues from Their Response

When you’re playing certain songs, look for cues to see what they enjoy the most. If they smile and tap along with a few particular songs, play those more often than ones where they are less reactive.

Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be a challenging process for anyone. When it’s time to reach out for help, contact our caring and experienced team of professionals at C-Care Health Services. Our dedicated staff can provide all the extra support at home when you can’t be there. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services.

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Are you concerned that your parents might be developing Alzheimer’s disease? Forgetting a person’s name or turning off the TV is normal. But when it starts happening all the time, then it’s meant for concern. Alzheimer’s is a serious progressive disease that is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Only as the disease progresses do people start to show symptoms related to memory loss and cognitive decline. But if left untreated, the symptoms can become debilitating, significantly impacting one’s quality of life. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatment options that can lessen the symptoms. So, the sooner it’s diagnosed, the better the chances are that your parents will benefit from treatment. Here we’ll show you what signs to pay attention to and report to their doctor.

Sudden Confusion

In the early stages, symptoms are usually mild. But during the later stages, your parents will start to become confused more easily about the location of their home or the time. Some people may also forget to carry out activities that they use to do with ease such as cooking or paying the bills. If your parent shows any signs as described above, contact their doctor.

Misplacing Important Items

A little forgetfulness is perfectly natural as we age. Even young adults lose their keys and glasses from time to time. But if you’re a parent is misplacing objects that they just used or regularly use, it could be cause for concern – especially if it happens on a frequent basis.

Forgetting Names or the Date

It’s also normal for parents to mix up their kids’ names every once in a while, but if they forget your name or someone else who’s close to them, this could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Make note of any occasions when this happens and also look for any issues with keeping track of the current year or month. 

Constantly Repeating Themselves

Does your parent repeat the same questions or stories over and over again? If they continue to repeat things, this is a red flag.

Changes in Personality

Personality changes can happen at any age, but it’s concerning if a parent suddenly becomes noticeably anxious, suspicious, or tense. Changes in their personality can often indicate a change in their brain.

Vision Issues

Alzheimer’s and vision are closely related. In fact, over half of the people that have Alzheimer’s also have a decline in visual ability. If your parent is having issues reading or judging distance, set up a meeting with their doctor to do a full diagnosis.

Problems Finding the Right Word

Issues with conversation could also be a sign. We all forget words from time to time, but if your parent is frequently forgetting basic words and using the wrong words to describe simple everyday things, Alzheimer’s could be to blame.

If your parent has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we can help. C-Care offers high-quality Alzheimer’s nursing care services and can ensure that your loved one is looked after when you can’t be there. Call us today to learn more.

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It’s not uncommon for people to confuse Alzheimer’s disease with dementia. Even though they have similar symptoms, there are many differences between the two that you should be aware of, especially if you are a caregiver of someone who’s living with one or the other. Here we’ll outline how the two diagnoses are both similar and remarkably different. 

Similarities

They Cannot Be Prevented

So far, neither Alzheimer’s or dementia can be prevented with certainty. You can, however, reduce your chances of developing either of these by eating healthy, staying active, and continuing to learn and challenge your brain.

The Likelihood of Having Both Increases with Age

The chances of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia increase as you age — although they are more common among the elderly, they are not considered a regular part of the ageing process.

Differences

Dementia is Not a Disease

Dementia is not considered a disease. In fact, it’s a general term that describes symptoms associated with memory loss and thinking skills. The symptoms are caused by actual diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Causes

Dementia can be caused by a variety of diseases and illnesses. Some are treatable while others, like Alzheimer’s, are not. Treatable causes include metabolic disorders, strokes, blood clots, nutritional deficiencies, substance abuse, exposure to heavy metals, and untreated infections.

Development Symptoms

The earliest symptom of dementia is memory loss. Forgetting appointments, where you left your keys, what day of the week it is, and turning off the stove are a few common signs. Personality changes will be frequent as well as speaking difficulties and coordination issues.

As a degenerative disease, Alzheimer’s develops slowly and in various stages. Early stage symptoms include disorientation, memory problems, and depression. Middle stage symptoms include hallucinations, paranoia, eating difficulties, and complications performing regular activities, like reading and writing. With late-stage symptoms, you’ll notice the inability to recognize family and friends and problems walking, talking, and even swallowing, therefore requiring around the clock care.

Treatment Processes

To date, there is no known cure yet for Alzheimer’s — treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease. However, with dementia, some patients can be treated and even cured (depending on the underlying cause[s]).

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often mixed up and can cause confusion for patients, families, and caregivers alike. Fortunately, you can rely on us at C-Care Alzheimer’s nursing care services to assist you and your family when it comes to dealing with the symptoms. We can provide private hospital or retirement facility care, home care, and even palliative care for your loved one. Whether you need a couple of hours of monitoring a day for early-stage Alzheimer’s or full round-the-clock care, we offer flexible scheduling to provide the extra support you need. To learn more, contact us today.

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Fortunately, many other conditions that are similar to Alzheimer’s disease are treatable.

We will highlight the most common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s and then discuss 8 other conditions that are similar.

Early Alzheimer’s Symptoms

• Memory loss that affects daily life, especially recently learned information. Driving to familiar places may become difficult, or forgetting important dates, or the day of the week. Repetitive questioning is another early symptom.
• Difficulty solving problems or doing familiar tasks like paying bills and cooking dinner. Many tasks will take longer to do.
• Problems with words and vocabulary, both spoken and written.
• Changes in mood and/or personality, like confusion, suspicion, fear, disorientation and anxiety.

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment to find out the cause. Be aware that many of these symptoms could be similar to another treatable disease, especially in seniors.

Similar Conditions

Mini-Strokes – Some elderly loved ones could be experiencing mini strokes. Most patients do not even realize they are happening, but the results are similar to Alzheimer’s. Also known as Vascular Dementia, the blood flow in the brain is affected leading to cognitive impairment. This can be treated with cognitive rehabilitation, reducing blood pressure, brain exercises, and medication.

Certain medications can cause confusion and other symptoms. As patients age they do not metabolize and eliminate drugs from the body as efficiently as they did when they were younger. Mixing certain meds like antihistamines, antidepressants, sleeping aids, muscle relaxants, and others can mimic the signs of Alzheimer’s. Always tell your doctor what meds you are taking, including those over the counter.

Urinary tract infections can look like Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the elder population. Patients can exhibit confusion, sleepiness, lack of focus, and even hallucinations. An exam can diagnose the infection and antibiotics will treat the condition.

Lyme Disease is difficult to diagnose, and it can cause similar symptoms. If a senior spends a lot of time outdoors, the bite of a tick could be the culprit. It causes problems with short term memory, and can slow down activity and cognition. Once diagnosed, antibiotics will eliminate all the symptoms.

More serious diseases that are similar to Alzheimer’s

• Parkinson’s Disease
• Huntington’s Disease
• AIDS Dementia
• Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (Pick’s Disease)

If you have concerns that your loved one is exhibiting any of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, see a doctor for testing as soon as possible. It could be a simple condition that can be treated.

Contact C-Care Health Services for more information on our home care services.

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If you are dealing with Alzheimer’s home care, let us give you some direction for how to help kids understand Alzheimer’s.

Don’t Pretend Everything Is The Same

It’s important to spend time with children talking them through changes they are witnessing. Even in the early stages of the disease, explain what is going on in a language a child can grasp. If a loved one with Alzheimer’s has moved into a caregiver’s household, children will be spending more time with them and will be observing the changes in behavior. You can’t hide it from them. Explain that growing older sometimes means you need extra help and care.

Sometimes older people can’t remember things like they could when they were younger. Sometimes they may even forget names, forget what they did last week, and maybe even forget your name. They may even act differently, but we still love them.

Don’t Ignore The Why Questions

The question of WHY? Is something parents hear from children about anything and everything. Do your best to explain why Grandma or Grandpa is acting this way. Try to answer every Why question with a satisfactory answer. If you ignore them, they may think something is terribly wrong.

Grandma is acting this way because some changes happened in her brain as she got older. We are helping her to get through this time.

Children will watch how you act and try to mimic you. Do your best not to get frustrated in their presence.

Reassure Them

• • Explain that no one is to blame, especially them, if that is an issue.
  • Tell them it’s OK to feel sad.

I feel sad this is happening too, but Grandma is still with us, and we can help her.

• • Fear is a common reaction in children, so reassure them that nobody else is going to act this way or “catch” the disease.
  • Acknowledge that with Alzheimer’s home care, frustrations or anger can happen.

I sometimes get frustrated when Grandma keeps asking me the same question over and over. She’s not doing it to upset me, I just try to be patient and remember she needs our help.

• Encourage them to play games or look at old photos of their grandparent. They’ll feel like they are helping too.

Watch out for anger issues. If children feel they are being neglected because of their grandparents, they may act out at school or home craving your attention. You can find some additional resources for children and teens here.

If it becomes too much to handle alone, look to Alzheimer’s home care from C-Care Home Health Services.

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If you are struggling with Alzheimer’s home care in Toronto, let us give you some valuable tips for speaking to a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

Have Patience

This is one of the toughest communication skills to develop as you care for your loved one. Don’t try to finish their sentences. Wait for them to remember or find the right words.

At the same time, don’t interrupt. Give them the time to complete their thought or request.

Never Argue

This is another difficult task for both you and your loved one. Maybe they like to initiate the disagreement, but don’t get sucked in. Arguing will only cause more anxiety for them and frustration for you, the caregiver. Change the subject or distract them from the topic.

Always Make Eye Contact

Get to eye level whenever possible when you are speaking to them. It shows your loved one you think they are important and you care.

Never Exclude Them

It is easy to talk over them or around them, like they’re not there, when communicating with others. Don’t make them feel like they are not really there.

Use Nonverbal Communication

In certain situations it could be best to use non-verbal signs to communicate. Your smiling face and reassuring looks can do wonders for a loved one struggling to communicate verbally. Never underestimate the value of your touch and accepting demeanor.

Avoid Distractions

If you are involved in Alzheimer care in Toronto, eliminate as many distractions as possible when communicating with your loved one. Turn off the tv, sit down, and make sure only one person at a time is talking.

Laughter Is Permitted

It’s OK to laugh sometimes. There are times a situation just begs for a laugh. Just remember to laugh with – and not at them.

When this writer’s mom with dementia had difficulty remembering a name or a recent situation, she would always say, “I have a good memory, but it’s short.” She would then let out a hearty laugh and we would too. It was her way of coping and it helped us too.

Ask Yes And No Questions

Make it as easy as possible for your loved one to respond. Instead of asking “What do you want to eat?” ask “Are you hungry now?” Yes or no questions are easier.

Never Treat Your Loved One Like A Baby

Avoid baby-talk. It can be demeaning and even cause anger and resentment.

Alzheimer home care in Toronto is a challenging task. If you need professional assistance during the day or at night, reach out to
C-Care Health Services.

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If you assist with Alzheimer’s care in Toronto, you know how important it is to evoke memories in those who are losing them little by little. Preserving those memories is a valuable tool to improve communication and provide a sense of belonging for our loved ones. In some cases it can help manage their behaviours and improve their sense of well-being.

Start With Memory Triggers

All our senses can open the door to lost and long-forgotten memories, especially for Alzheimer’s patients. Music triggers can bring out lovely memories from your loved one’s youth. Music is also a beneficial way to soothe a difficult senior.

Certain aromas from recipes and dishes can remind your loved one of happy family dinners and times when they were in control. Try cooking an old recipe together and see what memories come up.

Visual cues from old photographs, letters and greeting cards can do the same.

So what are some creative ways to unearth and preserve memories?

Have A Picture Party

Bring out old photo albums and look through them together with your loved one. This could be with your spouse or a parent who needs Alzheimer’s care in Toronto. Let them look through each photo and see if they begin to recognize anyone or the occasion. If not, move on. If so, let them tell you what they remember. Ask unthreatening questions about what they remember, or comment about how they look and what they are wearing to reflect the style of the day. It’s true that laughter IS the best medicine. You may hear them say, “ I actually wore that?” This exercise can bring them back to those days and give them the ability to unlock lost memories.

Create A “New” Old Photo Album

Separate certain photos from the picture party, add them to a new notebook or album—one to a page—and write down the memories they evoked. Your loved one might suddenly remember unknown figures in the photo or identify the occasion vividly. Capture that in a new memory book.

This new book can be looked at again and again, but it will also offer additional information for others in the family and be kept for future generations to enjoy.

Video Memories

Always have a video camera or tape recorder ready when having a memory session. Alzheimer’s patients’ memories can be fleeting, so be ready to capture them when they occur.

Create A Memory Poster

When a loved one passes away, it has become common to display posters filled with old photos of the deceased through the years. A better idea is to do this while your loved one can enjoy them. Pick out the highlights of their life, label them, then display the poster where it can be seen every day.

No books to open or memory boxes to go through—this easily accessible memory trigger will be there each and every day for them to enjoy and take a happy trip down memory lane.

You become the link to their memories as you assist with Alzheimer’s care in Toronto.

If you need assistance with Alzheimer’s care in Toronto, reach out to C-Care Health Services.

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This sadly debilitating disease has some early signs and basically 3 stages. Although there are those who break the stages into 5 or 7 parts, we will deal with the 3 main stages.

Before Symptoms Appear

New imaging technologies can determine someone’s propensity for developing Alzheimer’s long before any symptoms appear. Protein deposits may be found in the brain, forewarning its development. Genetic tests and biomarkers can also indicate increased risk of the disease. These new discoveries may aid in finding the cause and future cure.

Early Stage: Mild

Once symptoms and behaviours appear a patient is in the early, mild stage of Alzheimer’s. Their abilities begin to change. Many in the mild stage lead normal productive lives. The first changes are memory lapses and some confusion such as:

• Difficulty choosing the right word

• Difficulty doing tasks in social settings or at work

• Losing something important or valuable

• Increasing trouble being organized—for example, difficulty carrying out the sequence of tasks involved in planning a dinner

Middle Stage: Moderate

The middle stage can last for years as confusion increases. As time passes an Alzheimer’s patient needs more and more care. They are easily frustrated and can become angry, and it becomes harder and harder for them to express themselves.

Common symptoms of the moderate stage are:

• Confusion about the day of the week, where they are, their address and phone number

• Reversed sleep patterns

• Risk of wandering off and getting lost

• Having delusions

• Tasks like balancing a checkbook become frustrating or impossible

• Asking the same questions over and over

• Memory loss for especially recent events

• Changes in normal behaviour like agitation at dusk, suspicion toward others, and even becoming aggressive

Patients in this stage need assistance with daily care. Seek help from C-Care Health Services, who are professionally trained to care for the needs of Alzheimer’s patients. We can help with dressing, bathing, meals, and more.

Late Stage: Severe

This stage requires constant care. There are changes to mobility and mental function.

• Loss of the ability to communicate

• Needing help with all personal care: bathing, using the toilet, dressing, eating

• Total decline in physical abilities, for example, abnormal reflexes, rigid muscles, even problems swallowing.

At some point it will become impossible for family and friends to adequately care for their loved one.

Call on the compassionate caregivers at C-Care Health Services if your loved one is in any of the 3 stages of Alzheimer’s disease. We are here to help with all their needs.

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]]> https://www.c-care.ca/blog/alzheimer/3-stages-alzheimers-disease/feed/ 0 https://www.c-care.ca/blog/dementia/looking-difference-dementia-alzheimers-disease/ https://www.c-care.ca/blog/dementia/looking-difference-dementia-alzheimers-disease/#respond Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:30:48 +0000 https://www.c-care.ca/?p=1141 The terms dementia and Alzheimer’s are used interchangeably by many, but they do not mean the same thing. It’s confusing because the symptoms of both many times overlap. It is important to understand the differences between the two in order to manage this special area of senior care and treat both effectively. The most important […]

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]]> The terms dementia and Alzheimer’s are used interchangeably by many, but they do not mean the same thing. It’s confusing because the symptoms of both many times overlap. It is important to understand the differences between the two in order to manage this special area of senior care and treat both effectively.



The most important difference is that dementia is a syndrome or a set of symptoms, whereas Alzheimer’s is a disease.

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

Let’s take a look at what these two senior care conditions are and how they are different.

Dementia

Dementia is actually a syndrome or a set of symptoms. These symptoms can be caused by other issues or some specific disease. There are in fact 10 different types of dementia, a common one being vascular dementia. In this particular type of dementia changes in the brain are caused by a stroke or heart attack where the brain is deprived of oxygen for a period of time.

Another cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which is why this topic can be confusing. You may think of dementia as an umbrella of symptoms and Alzheimer’s as just one of many sets of symptoms under the umbrella.

Symptoms and Progression of Dementia

Although there are over 47 million people suffering with dementia, it is not a normal part of aging. It is progressive in nature, and usually occurs because brain cells are damaged through some event or disease, like a stroke or Parkinson’s disease.

• During the early phases of dementia, the patient becomes forgetful. They can get lost in familiar environments, and they easily lose track of time. Sometimes this is mistaken for just getting older.
• During the middle phase, patients forget recent happenings and can even forget people’s names. They begin to have trouble communicating, ask the same questions over and over, and start to need help with personal care and hygiene. They become easily confused and frustrated.
• In the last phase, a person with dementia has difficulty recognizing familiar people. They are not sure of the date/ year, and have noticeable changes in behaviour.

Unfortunately there is no cure for dementia and no way to stop the progression.

Alzheimer’s Disease

The major difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s is that the latter is a disease of the brain. Brain cells deteriorate and lose their connections.  It is the most common form of dementia. Strokes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are NOT related to Alzheimer’s.

Early symptoms include memory problems like forgetting names and events, depression, apathy, and poor judgement. Read about other symptoms.

In the later stages, the patient is not mobile and has difficulty speaking and swallowing, requiring specific senior care.

Treatments

Once the cause of the dementia is determined, there are ways to treat the symptoms, but the condition is not reversible. For example, vascular dementia would be treated with drugs plus lifestyle changes to prevent another stroke.

With Alzheimer’s there are treatments and drugs to help manage all the symptoms, but it remains a terminal illness.

With any type of dementia, your loved one needs care, either at home or possibly in a facility designed to treat Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. The senior care needed for these issues requires caregivers with compassion, understanding and knowledge.

You will find no better care in Toronto than from the experienced caregivers at C-Care Health Services. Let us help you manage the emotional trauma and provide support for you and your loved one. Contact us today.

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