Deciding to place a family member in a nursing home constitutes a big decision for families and for that person.  Then researching and choosing a place can be overwhelming, too.
I knew, when I moved my mom from her home 275 miles to ours, that eventually I’d have to place her in a nursing home. Since I’d been through this with my aunt’s care, I realized that, at some point, caring for Mother would be more than I could manage.
So I began researching before I moved her.  I located a nearby nursing home that, fortunately for Mother and me, had daycare facilities …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
As I consider the activities used with Alzheimer’s patients of my mother’s era, as well as movies shown and music played, I realize these may change as a younger generation, essentially Baby Boomers, reach the Alzheimer’s stage.  They won’t recognize some of the movies and music, will enjoy some of the same activities, but many different ones, too.
I recall visiting Mother and finding the residents entranced by World War II era and earlier movie stories.  They sang songs that Mother sang to us as children and from her earlier years. 
Languages May Differ
Also, languages spoken in nursing homes may vary, too.  …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com

Your Alzheimer’s patient has been restless all day…and into the night.  You’re tired and feel overwhelmed.  You wonder why you’re the one to whom the care of your family member has fallen.
I think it was the tiredness that got to me most because I never slept a whole night through while Mother lived with us.  A friend had warned me, when I found I needed to move Mother to our home, that the sleeplessness would be one of the most difficult aspects.
I realized it wasn’t the same as caring for a baby who woke during the night.  The baby might …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
When Alzheimer’s patients can’t communicate, it often becomes very difficult to tell when they’re in pain, when they don’t understand, or when they’re being obstinate.  Are there any clues or signs we should look for?
Marijke Durning, of Help My Hurt, has some suggestions:
You need to be observant and pick up on body and nonverbal cues; some are obvious, others may not be.
Check out her post for suggestions: If someone can’t talk – how do they tell you they have pain?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

                            
 It’s difficult enough when you family member has no health problems other than Alzheimer’s  But when there are other issues, such as diabetes, their care becomes more complex for family caregivers and for staff at a nursing home.
Here are 7 tips which hopefully will make diabetes care for Alzheimer’s patients a bit easier:
 1. Learn about diabetic diets, especially if you’re the one preparing the food.
2.  Learn about your family member’s  medical needs.
3.  When your family member resides in a nursing home, make sure you note this on the forms you fill out.  Diabetes should show up in their health records, but …read more