4 Tips to Help You Deal With Alzheimer's Patient

An Alzheimer's patient not only loses his memory, but his behavior may change, and his mood may be disturbed from time to time, making dealing with Alzheimer's patient difficult for those around him, especially with his inability to care for himself, and his agitation from time to time without a clear reason for it.

 What exactly does an Alzheimer's patient feel and what cause of that? How do you deal with him correctly, considering his state of health and feelings?

What does an Alzheimer's patient feel?

Alzheimer's patients are likely to experience bad feelings after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which may be grief, anger, trauma, fear, etc.

While some patients may receive that diagnosis with satisfaction and acceptance, they are satisfied to know their problem or are happy to be able to plan for the future after learning about their diagnosis and taking it into account.

On the other hand, patients may struggle to cope with negative emotions, they may feel afraid of the future, fearful of moments of confusion and forgetfulness, and disturbed by the impact of their illness on those around them.

Alzheimer's patients may be less able to control their feelings and how they express them, they may overreact to things, or their mood changes rapidly, and it may be difficult for those caring for them to cope with these mood changes, which may be the result of brain damage.

Alzheimer's Impact on Mental Health

Alzheimer's is a neuropsychiatric disease, that can lead to psychiatric disorders, especially after the patient knows about the diagnosis, such as anxiety or depression, so the patient must have the ability to express his feelings.

Some patients may also experience symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, or see or hear things that do not exist in reality. Depending on the patient's symptoms, the doctor chooses the appropriate treatment.

How to deal with Alzheimer's patients?

You should be dealing with an Alzheimer's patient very carefully, especially if you care for him or are around him most of the time.

Alzheimer's does not stand at a point, it progresses, and the patient's condition is expected to deteriorate over time as the stages of the disease progress.

It is therefore preferable to follow the following tips for dealing with Alzheimer's patients correctly:

1. Learn what you need to know about Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is progressive, as the symptoms worsen over time, so understanding what you expect with Alzheimer's can help you deal correctly with the patient and be patient with their behavior that may disturb you.

2. Helping him perform day-to-day activities

Alzheimer's patients need help with everyday life activities, including eating, bathing, personal care, etc., and what you may be easy to help:

• Daily routine: It is preferable to schedule some daily activities at a fixed time in the same place every day, such as washing teeth after meals, or scheduling bath times in the morning or evening.
• Respect for privacy: It is desirable to close doors and curtains, and ensure that the patient is covered with a towel or bathrobe to help him feel more comfortable.
• Encouraging independence as much as possible: This helps to enhance his sense of achievement.
• Encouragement and support: Appreciate his efforts no matter how simple, such as telling him: "You did a great job cleaning your teeth today”.
• Attention to personal hygiene: This includes maintaining nail hygiene, and regularly trimming it, along with other usual aspects of personal hygiene.

3. Improve communication with the patient

Communication can be difficult for people with Alzheimer's disease because they have difficulty remembering things, and sometimes language abilities can be affected, making it difficult for a patient to find the right words to communicate.

You may be frustrated or impatient, but it is essential to know that the disease affects the patient's ability to communicate. To help facilitate communication, you can:

• Reassure the patient, talk to him quietly, listen to his fears, and try to show your understanding of his feelings.
• Allowing him to maintain as much independence as possible in his life.
• Respecting his personal space.
• Keep things loved for him or photos around the house, to help him feel safe.
• Encourage conversation as long as possible, and do not feel bored about the patient's poor communication.

4. Attention to healthy nutrition of the patient

The patient's sense of smell and taste may be affected over time, which may affect their choice of food and nutrition, and hence their health. Maintaining the patient's health may be more difficult as age progresses, so it is preferable to follow the following tips:

• Plan a healthy diet: make sure you eat healthy food, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as drink healthy liquids, such as water or juices.
• Encourage him to be independent in eating if he can: by providing foods that are easy to eat.
• Not to force him into feeding: Try to encourage your loved one to eat and find out why they refuse to eat, without forcing them or screaming at him or her.

How to calm an Alzheimer's patient?

Alzheimer's disease can sometimes be irritable, requiring great patience and wisdom in dealing with it, so as not to agitate the patient, and calm him in the right way, which helps you:

1. Keep calm

You may not be calm after the Alzheimer's patient agitation, and it's normal to feel upset, but you should keep calm. This helps make the patient feel safe and reassured. If you don't, it's expected that the patient will not calm down.

2. Careful and non-hasty reaction

Whatever you do, leave it immediately, and listen to the patient even if it doesn't make sense.

You should smile sweetly and try to ask him for permission to see what he needs help with, such as: "Can I help you arrange the room?", Or try to share a good memory with him.

Try not to rush back, say more words, stop a little bit, give him time to think, and try to figure out what he's trying to tell you.

3. Show respect and appreciation

Always treat the Alzheimer's patient with respect. This improves communication with him and continues to interact with him without diminishing him, even if you see some childish behavior. Not to insult his dignity will help calm him down and prevent his agitation.

4. Find out why he's upset

An Alzheimer's patient may have difficulty telling you that he is uncomfortable. This is manifest in his irritation and lack of calm, so try to find out why he is upset and worried, such as:

• Whether he is hungry or not, the last time he eats, and tries to give him a nutritious snack, may calm him down.
• Whether he’s thirsty, whether he has been drinking in the last 24 hours or not, try to give him water or some healthy drinks, or gently remind him to drink water throughout the day.
• When was the last time he went to the toilet? He might be upset about wanting to go to the toilet, but he can't say that.
• Whether there are signs of urinary system infection, it is one of the most prominent causes of increased patient agitation.

5. Say “Yes”

Aim to say "yes" as much as possible, even if what a patient says doesn't make sense to you, it makes them feel as important to you, that you listen to him and respond.

Tips for keeping the brain healthy

Many factors may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, so it is preferable to follow the following tips to maintain brain health and prevent Alzheimer's disease:

• Stop smoking.
• Eat a balanced diet, containing fruits and vegetables, healthy foods instead of processed.
• Exercise for 150 minutes per week (half an hour per day 5 days per week).
• Treat a person's psychiatric disorders, such as depression.
• Socialize with others and avoid isolation.
• Practice some activities that stimulate brain action, such as reading or learning languages.