In the last stages of Alzheimer’s disease, how prepared are you to keep providing all of your mother’s care? Don’t be surprised to find yourself struggling. Many people do not realize how hard it’s going to be, and some days are much harder than others. Be realistic about what Alzheimer’s care she’s going to need.

Hand Wringing and Skin Picking

You need to keep your mom busy as much as you can. If she is alone and has little to keep her hands busy, you might find she starts to rub or pick at her skin and create sores and open wounds. She might wring her hands so much that she forms blisters.

At this point, it’s essential to watch her and create distractions to stop the behavior. If not, she may develop infections. Fidget blankets and spinners and interactive toys will help.

Wandering

Eventually, your mom’s mobility will stop and she’ll need a wheelchair. While she is still mobile, wandering is a big problem. She likes to walk, but she forgets how to get home. When you’re walking with her, it’s not a big deal.

But, when you’re sleeping at night, your mom wakes up often. She rarely sleeps more than two hours a night now, and you’re experiencing sleep deprivation. If she gets up and you miss an alarm or alert, she could wander away.

Incontinence

Incontinence is normal. Your mom doesn’t recognize her body’s cues until it’s urgent. She may forget how to get to the bathroom. She needs help changing her clothes, incontinence pads or briefs, and cleaning up.

You may need to change her sheets in the middle of the night. That means cleaning her, stripping her sheets, making her bed, and getting her back to bed. Before you can go back to sleep, you need to set up the wash load to avoid having urine-covered sheets from sitting for too long.

Feeding

Your mom’s fine motor skills will diminish. She has to switch to finger foods as she’ll be unable to use a spoon, fork, and knife. Eventually, even getting the food to her mouth is a challenge. She needs someone to feed her and clean her face and hands after.

Ambulation

When your mom needs a wheelchair, she’s going to need someone to help her shift positions periodically to avoid pressure sores. She needs help getting into and out of bed and her wheelchair.

She needs help getting from her wheelchair into the shower unless you have a roll-in shower available. You’ll also lift her from her shower chair to her wheelchair and back if you don’t.

Alzheimer’s care is rewarding and challenging at the same time. Don’t do so much to help your mom that you lose track of yourself. Self-care is also important, and Alzheimer’s care aides take care of your mom while you take care of yourself.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Alzheimer’s Care in Golden Beach, FL please contact the caring staff at Specialized Nursing Services today. (305) 652-2799