ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE / COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN THE ELDERLY

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, cognitive impairment caused by brain cell degeneration.

This neurological condition usually affects seniors and elderly but can affect any individual at any age.

WHAT CAUSES ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

There are a lot of studies on what causes Alzheimer’s Disease and how to treat it and prevent it.

Right now, it’s commonly believed to be caused by three factors:

1. Age related changes within the brain
2. Genetic and hereditary factors
3. Lifestyle and environment

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

We all become more forgetful and slightly confused as we age. If someone you love is showing some forgetfulness and confusion, it doesn’t mean they have Alzheimer’s disease.

If you suspect that an elderly or senior loved one may have Alzheimer’s, they need to be taken to a medical specialist to be assessed and diagnosed.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

There are various cognitive disorders that affect the memory for elderly and seniors.

One such condition is called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

While this condition does affect memory and causes confusion and forgetfulness, it does not affect a person’s everyday life.

The actual symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary from one person to the next, this neurological condition presents as more than just memory loss.

Common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

Word-Finding / Verbal Expression
- Forgetting Names of People or Things
Visual / Spatial Issues
- Trouble Reading
- Difficulty Parking or Driving
- Misplacing Objects in Unusual Places
Display Impaired Reasoning Ability
- Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
- Problems With Abstract Thinking
- Difficulty Understanding Time and Place
- Forgetting the Item Exists or That the Event Happened
Severe Changes In:
- Personality
- Hygiene
- Mood And Behavior

It’s important to understand that not every person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s has dementia.

The reverse is also true – someone diagnosed with dementia doesn’t always have Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are two separate neurological conditions.

STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

There are three stages of progression for Alzheimer’s disease

Early Stage
Moderate Stage
Late / Severe Stage

Someone displaying signs of early Alzheimer’s will have trouble with daily tasks such as:

Forgetfulness
Paying Bills
Asking Questions Repeatedly
Wandering
May Start Showing Personality and Behavioral Changes

As the disease progresses, they will have more trouble recognizing family and friends or completing tasks that require multiple steps.

This is due to damage to areas of the brain that control reasoning, conscious thought, language, and sensory processing.

At this stage they can also suffer from hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.

This may also lead to another condition that causes severe anxiety and agitation as night approaches. Your loved one may show extreme emotional and behavioral changes in the late afternoon or early evening.

Symptoms of Sundowner’s Syndrome:

Severe Anxiety
Hallucinations / Delusions
Paranoia
Mood Swings
Sadness / Depression
Restlessness and Agitation
Manic Behavior / Increase in Energy
Increased Confusion

You can click this link for more information on Sundowners Syndrome.

In the severe or late stages of Alzheimer’s, the body begins to shut down and someone suffering through this stage may spend most or all their time in bed. They require help for all their personal care including toiletry, bathing, hand feeding, companionship, and safety supervision.

HOW A-1 HOME CARE AGENCY CAN HELP

Our non-medical Home Care Organization (HCO) has over 30 years’ experience helping Seniors and Elderly in their homes as they age. We have knowledgeable and compassionate caregivers, home health aides, nurse aides, and personal care assistants, qualified to help people suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, and Sundowner Syndrome.

A-1 Home Care Agency provides the home-based care and safety supervision your loved one needs for any stage of Alzheimer’s. We serve residents of Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Valley, and Orange County in Southern California.

All our caregivers must:

Be State Registered
Test Negative for Covid-19
Test Negative for Tuberculosis
Have CPR and 1st Aid Certification
Completed State Required Training and Registration
Interview with A-1 Home Care Agency staff

HOME CARE SERVICES INCLUDE:

Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Bathing, Dressing and Grooming Assistance
- Incontinence Care / Toiletry Assistance
Safety Supervision
Medication Reminders
Mobility Assistance / Transferring
Range of Motion Exercises
At Home Care Includes the Above and:
- Meal Planning and Preparation
- Light Housecleaning and Laundry
Companionship

Advanced Services Provided:

Alzheimer’s Disease
Sundowner’s Syndrome
Dementia and Memory Care
Traumatic Brain Injury TBI
Parkinson’s Disease
Transitional Care / Discharge Assistance
After Surgery / Post-Acute Care
Diabetic Care
Arthritis / Pain Management
Dialysis and Kidney Disease Care
After Stroke Recovery Care
Heart Attack / Bypass Surgery
ALS / Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Cancer and Chemotherapy Care
COPD
Disabled, Handicapped and Developmentally Delayed
- Bi-Polar / Manic Depressive Disorder
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Multiple Sclerosis
Low Vision / Blindness
Hearing Impaired / Deaf
Hospice, Palliative and End of Life Caregivers
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Schizophrenia