I am heart broken when I hear a friend say that someone in their family has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I have seen the burden that this terrible disease has inflicted on those who have contracted it. It is so aggravating and frustrating to someone, who at one time was the most outgoing and knowledgeable individual, to struggle to try to find a simple word to complete a thought. They can no longer remember if they ate this morning yet or not. They walk into a room wandering aimlessly because they cannot recall why they are there. They, for reasons they are not able to say, are not able to sleep at night like before. They can’t even remember if they like a certain food or drink.
The second thing that always comes to mind when someone tells me this is how their life is going to change. Many people have no idea what is coming. The things I listed above are hard on the one that is going through it, but just imagine if it was your wife, husband, or one of your parents? This disease is even more devastating on those who are the care givers to the one going through it than the one suffering from it.
Many people decide to keep their Alzheimer’s patient at home until the disease progresses to the point that it is basically impossible for them to do so. However admirable this is there is a much greater struggle ahead than many of these loving people realize. The greatest is the supervision aspect of the patient. As time goes by the needs of the patient actually is the same care needs as a small child.
One question that many family families ask as time goes on is “Does Alzheimer’s get worse at night?” You often hear that they are awake all night. In truth many people who suffer this get much more agitated and confused at night. Some are more likely to stay awake and wander around the house. Many refer to this as “The night wanders”.
After a full day watching that they don’t get into something that could hurt them, it looks like you could put them to bed and not have to worry about them getting up and into something at night. You can’t stay awake 24/7. You can’t tie them to the bed, and you can’t lock the room door. Both of these things could be life threatening in an emergency.
Something you might try is using signs to remind the patient what things are. Place them on everything. Doors, appliances, dressers, closets, bathroom shelves, and so on. Reading these signs can help your loved one find and access what they are looking for more easily.
These might help some but the night time wandering can still be a problem. For that I would suggest you look for an alarm that can sound when someone walks into it’s watch area. There are many types alarm and surveillance systems. There is one infra red unit I know of that that can be set up to sound a loud alarm or just a chime when someone walks in its coverage area. The chime is good for when you think your loved one is napping and they get up unknown to you and leave their room. It sells for around $35. Someone can afford to place one of these facing the door and you would know when someone open the door. At that price you could buy one for many areas and cover the entrance and exit doors too.
You can look for different in-home sitters or daycare centers in your area to help you get a break to go shopping, or to a function, or even out to the park. Your choice to keep a loved one home with you, while they still can, is one you will cherish in your heart for your life if you prepare yourself and your home to do so safely and effectively.