Originally published January 31 2006
Caregiver shares advice about coping with the difficulties of Alzheimer's patients
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Pueblo Chieftain Online talks with Barb Caudle, regional director of the Pueblo/Southern Colorado Alzheimer's Association, about how caregivers can learn to manage the overwhelming changes that Alzheimer's introduces into their lives.
It's a very scary and emotional feeling, but that's what it feels like for someone with Alzheimer's disease," said Phyllis Sanchez, administrator of Belmont Senior Care.
Confusion, fear, panic, loneliness, desperation and anger are just a few of the emotions that individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease could exhibit.
At times, those behaviors make the person appear unstable, unmanageable and difficult.
"Alzheimer's can be a very strange view," Sanchez said.
Barb Caudle, regional director of the Pueblo/Southern Colorado Alzheimer's Association, said while some people may shy away from Alzheimer's victims because of their bizarre behavior, she said knowing how the individual thinks can make encounters a lot more pleasant.
Just as no two people with dementia behave in the same manner, the role of every caregiver also is different, said Sanchez.
What matters is that you are not upsetting them or challenging them."
Sometimes the individual might say things that are rude and hurtful to the people who care the most for them.
"When I was caring for my mom, she would tell me that she was going to tell Jesus on me," one woman said during a recent caregivers' support group meeting.
Caudle said there also is the perception that people with Alzheimer's disease are mean.
The person is reacting out of fear, frustration or paranoia," she said.
"Anything you can do to make the person feel more safe and secure can lessen the reaction in that person."
Caudle said the tone of voice that a person uses in speaking with someone with dementia also can evoke a panicked reaction.
"Caregivers need to be in control without being controlling," she said.
Finally, Caudle said, people should remember that a lot of the behaviors cannot be controlled.
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