For the last four decades, Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month has been observed in June worldwide. This month’s celebrations highlight the importance of early dementia diagnosis and its impact on patients and their families. Many medical advances have been made in 40 years; however, there is still much work to do to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. It is the most prevalent form of dementia, contributing to two-thirds of diagnoses.
Although end-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms might be similar, every patient with this disease or other dementia may experience their progression differently. What’s true is that, over time, these patients become increasingly dependent on their caregivers. Alzheimer’s and other brain health issues slowly impair problem-solving skills and judgment, increasing the person’s risk of injury. That’s why caring for Alzheimer’s patients can be challenging and often involves a whole team of caretakers.
Stages of Alzheimer’s Caregiving
It is common to treat patients with Alzheimer’s in-home care, as their symptoms may vary with the disease progression. There are three stages of Alzheimer’s care, classified accordingly to the degree of cognitive impairment:
Facts about Alzheimer’s you should know
Memory loss is the earliest symptom that a patient can recognize. However, other concerns like difficulty in communicating, changes in behavior, lack of awareness of surrounding or recent events, and mood changes might appear as the disease progresses. As a result, patients could feel self-isolated from friends and family.
At Ascend Hospice Care, we aim to emphasize the importance of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. This month, we wear purple to support those affected by Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases, patients, and families. In addition, we are here to let you know that you are not alone. You can always rely on us for help with the challenges of this progressive disease.
