Generally once a week, someone brought pets to visit the patients…for them to watch, to pet, and to hold.  Smiles appeared on the residents’ faces, their moods brightened, and often they began telling stories about pets they had owned at one time in their lives.

Perhaps it was a pet they had as a child.  Or it could have been a pet their children played with.  Possibly it was one they and their spouse earned in the early days of marriage.  There also were some sad memories of the death of a pet.  But generally these were more cheerful ones.

Of course, some patients may have allergies to specific animals.  Or they could be fearful of an animal because of some past experience.

It’s a good idea that you note these, especially allergies, when filling out the admission papers and patient’s history, particularly if you learn there may be animal visits at this assisted living or nursing home. 

Post from: Blisstree

Pets for Alzheimer’s Patients

Eventually, they asked me to put together a small photo album with pictures of family members, as well as her most recent home and girlhood home, if possible.

All of this helped the staff know my mom better and hopefully care for her better.  I felt this showed they cared enough to get to know each Alzheimer’s patient.

A news article recently appeared in the Express and Star, a UK newspaper, Patient details to help care, about learning more about Alzheimer’s patients in order to give better care.

“Nurses are being asked to find out about the hobbies and work history of patients at Dudley’s main hospital to help improve treatment.”  To achieve this, relatives have been asked to fill out questionnaires.  This should enable staff to meet the needs of the patients better and provide individualized care.

It is difficult for staff of hospitals, nursing homes and nursing homes to know each patient individually, especially if it is a large establishment.  However, something like these questionnaires keeps the information at their fingertips (maybe a “mouse click” nowadays) to enable them to personalize care.

Post from: Blisstree

Take Time to Know the Alzheimer’s Patient

I found this a way to share with Mother in this new life that had come upon her. Hopefully we made her journey through Alzhemer’s more pleasant.  Sometimes it would be an event with all the residents.  Other times we had just a family party.

I recall Jim and I having one Thanksgiving dinner at the nursing home with Mother, who thought we’d taken her to eat at a nice restaurant.  Mother’s Day brunches, Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve (actually afternoon) gatherings, summer barbecues, as well as other events were organized at the home.

I participated in all that I could, but wasn’t able to make them all because business took us away from home.  In later years, too, Mother no longer knew whether we were there or not…at least we didn’t think she did.

Also, my grandchildren looked forward to these occasions at the nursing home.  In those years, before they were very involved in school activities, visiting Great Grandma was almost a weekly event in their lives.  We look at pictures taken of our visits and reminisce.

Participate when you can in events with your family member…you’ll find enjoyment while bringing joy to them.

Post from: Blisstree

Participating in Parties for Alzheimer’s Patients

Even though items disappear, it may not occur consciously.  The person with Alzheimer’s truly thinks it’s their property, even though these are  possessions belonging in someone else’s room.

“Look at the lovely birthday cards I received,” Mother commented. 

“It’s not your birthday, Mother,” I answered.

Mother insisted it was and that the cards were from various friends and relatives.  However, these cards were addressed to someone else at the nursing home and signed from their friends and relatives.  My mom, who would never think of taking something that wasn’t hers, had gone into other rooms and collected these cards, truly thinking they had been given to her.

I found shoes and slippers that weren’t hers in her closet or under her bed.  The same was true of a hair brush, a book, and similar items. 

When I could determine whose they were, I’d return them or take them to the nurse’s station.  This was a common occurence for many residents, they mentioned.

So when Mother was no longer mobile or took no interest in other’s possessions, I couldn’t complain when residents from other rooms “borrowed” her items.  I learned, with Alzheimer’s residents, you didn’t keep items of value or sentimental  note in their rooms.  There still remained much I could leave with Mother that satisfied her needs and wasn’t of interest to borrowers.

Post from: Blisstree

When Alzheimer’s Residents “Borrow”

“Did your mother ever work in a grocery store?” one nurse asked me.

“Yes, she owned and operated a small country grocery store,” I answered.

“That explains it,” Patty said.  “Last night she wanted to wake up the residents in her suite because they hadn’t purchased anything.  She also keeps talking about shoplifters,” Patty added.

I explained that Mother frequently had trouble with shoplifters at her store.

This was just one of the incidents that my explanations helped the staff at the nursing home understand why Mother acted as she did.

Communication between family members and staff of nursing and assisted living homes often make it easier for understanding to occur.

Post from: Blisstree

Help Caregivers Understand Your Loved One