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muriel talks about families dealing with alzheimer's

(Editor’s note: The Messenger has asked Muriel Shackelford to answer questions related to long-term care. She is the retired regional long-term care ombudsman with Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation with offices in East St. Louis.)

Dear Muriel,
Please provide information on the warning signs for Alzheimer’s disease. My mother and I are noticing changes in my dad’s behavior; also include information on nursing home care and other available resources.
Thanks,
Eunice

Dear Eunice,
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America defines Alzheimer’s disease “ as a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among people aged 65 and older and Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.”

The Alzheimer’s Association lists the following 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s along with typical age-related change:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. Typical age-related change: sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Typical age-related change: making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. Typical age-related change: occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
4. Confusion with time or place. Typical age-related change: confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. Typical age-related change: vision changes related to cataracts.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. Typical age-related change: sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Typical age-related change: misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.
8. Decreased or poor judgment. Typical age-related change: making a bad decision once in a while.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. Typical age-related change: sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
10. Changes in mood and personality. Typical age-related change: developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

An expanded definition of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s may be found on the Alzheimer’s Association web-site.
Early diagnosis and treatment will greatly enhance the care and treatment of your family member, and there are new medications that can slow the progression of the disease; however there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

There are many in-home care options designed to help caregivers care for their loved ones in their homes; however, sometimes nursing home placement is the only alternative if home care is too consuming for the caregiver(s). Caregivers should educate themselves to the various nursing homes in their community and the services they provide to individuals with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Your questions should include:

1. Is there a special wing for Alzheimer residents?
2. Is the facility licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health as an Alzheimer’s facility?
3. How many staff and their duties are assigned to the Alzheimer’s wing?
4. What safety measures are in place to protect the resident?
5. What is the admission screening process for residents with Alzheimer’s?
6. What is the facility procedure when an Alzheimer’s resident exhibits inappropriate behavior?
7. What is the facility procedure for issuing an Involuntary Discharge to an Alzheimer’s resident?
8. Describe a typical day of an individual diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in your facility.
9. Does your facility have a Family Council?
10. Look for the LTC Ombudsman poster in the facility and on the Alzheimer’s wing.

These are a few suggested questions to ask the administrator of the facility if nursing home placement is under consideration.

Always make more than one visit to the facility — visit(s) with an appointment — visit(s) without an appointment and remember to talk with other caregivers/family members and residents. Remember to show respect for residents at all times and do not blast them with inappropriate questions.
There are many local chapters and groups in your community serving as resources for caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Computers present you with access to a wealth of information regarding Alzheimer’s, home health care and nursing home placement. Locally, you may contact your Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman at 618-398-0958 Ext. 210. Educating yourself about Alzheimer’s disease and available resources will greatly enhance your advocacy and pro-active skills for your loved one.