Why Activities of Daily Living Will Become Challenging for a Senior Dealing with Alzheimer’s

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) involve basic tasks of everyday life.

This might include bathing, toileting, preparing meals, light housework, running errands, going shopping, and much more. When a person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or any other type of dementia, these ADLs will likely become far more complicated as the disease progresses.

Home Health Care in Riverhead NY: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Shortly after diagnosis, somebody with Alzheimer’s may still be able to tend to these Activities of Daily Living without any real assistance. They may need reminders about appointments when to take prescription medications, and about conversations, they had recently, but aside from this level of memory loss that impacts certain aspects of daily life, they should be able to manage their own care well enough, for the most part.

However, that will change over time.

The memory loss a person experiences as part of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease will become much more significant. It will reach a point when they have difficulty recognizing their surroundings or even the people in their life. It doesn’t matter if it’s a spouse of 50 or 60 years, the child they raised, or even a close friend.

There may come a time when they have a major hole in their memory they can’t fill. When those issues begin to arise, keeping up with these basic tasks of everyday life are going to become far more challenging.

That’s why home care is essential.

A spouse, adult child, friend, neighbor, and others may certainly be more than willing to help support this senior, but is that going to be enough? In most cases, it may seem fine for a while, but the stress, pressure, and anxiety of this type of work is going to take a toll on everyone involved, including the senior who is dealing with Alzheimer’s directly.

An experienced and qualified home care aide can assist with a wide range of tasks, not the least of which includes bathing, toileting, and getting dressed. These once simple activities can be extremely frustrating and even potentially dangerous for a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Asking an adult child or even a spouse to assist with toileting, for example, might be an uncomfortable situation. That senior may do everything he or she can to avoid relying on that level of support and assistance.

There are many types of activities that can be complicated by Alzheimer’s and when a family relies on home care, it provides much more comfort for the senior and safety to boot.

Call a home care agency today to get further information on the services they may offer locally.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Home Health Care in Riverhead, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.