Alzheimer’s Caregiving: What to Expect and How to Prepare

No case of Alzheimer’s disease is exactly the same. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult for families to know exactly when they’ll need to arrange live-in help for their loved one. Instead, they must carefully watch for the signs that their family member is no longer managing alone — a task that’s easier said than done. Since patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease frequently become socially withdrawn, friends and family may miss the warning signs.

Most people with Alzheimer’s disease need a little bit of help in the early stage of the disease, but can live independently. They may require assistance managing household finances, coordinating medical appointments, keeping track of medications, and running errands. Family members can usually meet these needs with weekly visits. Some, like paying bills, can be handled remotely.

Once the patient begins having trouble managing day-to-day life, it’s time to intervene. This may manifest in wearing clothing that’s inappropriate for the weather, forgetting about food cooking on the stove, frequently misplacing items, and forgetting his own address. When these warning signs arise, living alone has become too dangerous and live-in help is necessary to prevent catastrophic accidents.

Even if your family member doesn’t need live-in help yet, it’s never too early to start preparing for the future. As his needs and abilities change, your loved one will require a safer and more accessible home.

Physical problems arise early in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Sufferers may struggle with coordination and depth perception due to visuospatial impairment. According to Verywell, these changes put patients at risk of a disabling fall.

To mitigate risk, make home adaptations like installing a ramp at the front entry, replacing bathtubs with curbless showers, and adding rubber ramps over interior thresholds to prevent trip and fall accidents. If your loved one’s home is multi-story, move their bedroom to the first floor so there’s no need to go upstairs and install a door or safety gate to prevent upper floor access. Locating the bedroom near the bathroom helps Alzheimer’s patients toilet independently for longer, and keeping the bedroom and bathroom well-lit with nightlights ensures nighttime bathroom trips remain safe. A brightly-colored toilet seat and grab bars curb the effects of reduced depth perception in the bathroom. It’s best to make these modifications early in the disease’s progression to prevent accidents.

Expect to make further accommodations as your family member’s disease progresses. You may need to remove dials from the stove to prevent fires and clearly label faucets with “hot” and “cold” so your relative doesn’t accidentally burn himself. When wandering becomes a problem, step up home security by adding smart sensors that warn you when an exit door has been opened. Hands-on assistance with dressing, bathing, and administering medications becomes necessary around this same time.

Caregivers shouldn’t be afraid to make adaptations for their own peace of mind, too. Installing smart home features like these Wi-Fi-enabled cameras recommended by PCMag makes it easier to keep an eye on your loved one without always being in the same room. Camouflaging doors makes it harder for an Alzheimer’s patient to wander off or find their way to a stairwell, and placing locks on closets and cabinets stops needless rummaging. Caregiving is hard work, and anything that makes the job easier is a worthwhile investment.

A future with Alzheimer’s disease is a scary prospect, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the newfound responsibility of caring for your family member. It’s important that caregivers and loved ones understand what to expect from the disease and how they can prepare. By starting while the disease is still in its early stages, families can ready their homes and lives for the task ahead.