Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease can be very difficult to diagnose, as many other conditions can mimic the common symptoms of the disease. Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is done by process of elimination, and the process should be led by a doctor. That said, there are early symptoms and warning signs that can signal the need for further examination by a professional. Let’s review some of those most common signs and symptoms.

• Experiencing memory loss that disrupts your daily life. All of us deal with memory loss, but for those with Alzheimer’s, their memory loss is severe enough to affect daily life. An individual might forget important dates and events, ask the same questions repeatedly, and require help with tasks they used to perform on their own. They will also show difficulty in planning and problem solving, working with numbers, and in concentrating on tasks that previously were easy, like following a recipe.
• They experience visual changes. An individual suffering from Alzheimer’s may no longer be able to judge distance, color and contrast as well.
• An individual may have difficulty finding the right words, following or joining a conversation, and may call things by the wrong name. They also may be unable to retrace their steps to recover a lost or misplaced item.
• Poor judgment is one of the hallmarks of the disease – individuals may show poor judgment in dealing with money, with personal hygiene, and may withdrawal from social activities they used to enjoy. They will also likely experience changes in mood and personality; they may become depressed, suspicious, anxious, and are upset easily.

All of these signs and symptoms, though, could be indicators of another disease, or of a medication complication. What’s important to note is a physician’s help is key; Alzheimer’s requires careful medical evaluation, a thorough history, testing, and more. Nothing can replace the help and expertise a doctor can provide.

About the Author:

Bridges® by EPOCH is the evolution of EPOCH Senior Living’s renowned memory care program BRIDGES®. Recognizing that a free-standing community devoted entirely to caring for those with memory challenges can provide more focused care, an enhanced lifestyle and a more fulfilling environment, Bridges® by EPOCH is the realization of EPOCH’s commitment to improving the lives of all those touched by Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. EOEA Certification Application Pending.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, Alicia Seaver is committed to making a difference in the lives of seniors. Prior to joining the Bridges® by EPOCH team, Alicia held various positions at senior living communities in Florida and Massachusetts, including Executive Director of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care and Memory Care Program Director at Emeritus Senior Living. Through her extensive experience, Alicia gained valuable knowledge and expertise that will allow her to truly make a difference in the lives of residents at Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. Additionally, Alicia is certified by the National Institute on Aging as a Memory Impairment Specialist and is certified in both Massachusetts and Florida as a State Certified Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Trainer. Alicia is excited to be part of an organization that is as dedicated to providing high quality, individualized care to seniors as she is. Alicia currently lives in South Shore with her husband and two daughters.

Could you or a loved one benefit from a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)? A PERS is an electronic device designed to allow people with disabilities or older people living alone to summon help in an emergency.

People use PERS for various reasons, such as general concerns about falling, needing reminders about when to take medications, or to allow loved ones or caregivers to run errands or go out for a while without worry. Others, like John, may have medical conditions that affect their ability to be alone and still be able to call for assistance.

John had in-home care nearly all the time, but his caregiver had taken a quick trip to the pharmacy to pick up his medications.  Suddenly, he needed help, but found himself all alone.  He hadn’t been in this position for as long as he could remember and he was frightened by his feelings of fear and helplessness.

Thanks to a PERS, John was able to call for help that responded in just seconds.  Once he pressed the button he wore around his neck, remote call answering began communicating with John without him ever having to get to the phone.

The call for help was received at a centrally monitored response center, where trained response associates have complete access to John’s personal profile and critical information.  They quickly found out why John needed help and took action.

The response center can assess the situation and get help from a close neighbor or family member, or an ambulance, fire, or police department, when needed.  If John had been unable to indicate his needs, emergency help would have been dispatched immediately.

Not only do PERS provide peace of mind to the person with limited physical abilities, but caregivers can also feel secure in knowing that their friend or family member is well cared for.  Continuous caregiving can lead to exhaustion, putting the friend or family member at risk.  Having reliable help just seconds away is a comfort to everyone.

Aside from the two-way voice communicator, a selection of specially designed assistive devices can be used with a PERS to give individuals with neuromuscular disabilities the ability to call for help. An assessment by an occupational or physical therapist may be needed to determine which assistive device would be most appropriate.

Examples of assistive devices include:

• Pillow Switch that can be pinned to a pillow and activated by a controlled head movement.

• Wobble Switch that can be activated by gross body or head movements coming from any direction.

• Rocker Lever Switch that is activated by gross hand, arm or body movements or by a mouth or head stick.

• Sip or Puff Switch that is activated by sipping or puffing on a tube depending on availability of breath control or respiratory control.

• P-Switch, which is activated by minimal movement, detected by small sensors (set by the user) and can be placed on any part of the body capable of minimal motion.

There are a variety of PERS available. Many charge a monthly fee and a one-time set-up fee. Others require you to sign a three-month, six-month or year-long-lease, while others offer rental opportunities. To navigate the maze of PERS, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the following suggestions:

• Check out several systems before making a decision.

• Find out if you can use the system with other response centers. For example, can you use the same system if you move?

• Ask about the pricing, features, and servicing of each system and compare costs.

• Make sure the system is easy to use.

• Test the system to make sure it works from every point in and around your home. Make sure nothing interferes with transmissions.

• Read your purchase, rental, or lease agreement carefully before signing.

• Is the monitoring center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

• What is the average response time?

• What kind of training does the center staff receive?

• What procedures does the center use to test systems in your home? How often are tests conducted?

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. For free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.

Author: Rosalie Okaty, Florida

For those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, obtaining proper nutrition and hydration can be a challenge. Myriad factors come into play, some of which are not obvious to caregivers. Let’s review some simple ways to help ensure your loved one’s nutritional needs are being met.

For many with Alzheimer’s disease, eating six small meals a day as opposed to the customary schedule of three is much more manageable, for a variety of reasons. Some Alzheimer’s sufferers are children of the Great Depression, and can become very upset if they are unable to finish a large meal and see food being wasted. Also, six smaller meals give individuals continuous energy for activities, rather than a large meal, which may cause lethargy, or anxiety if they are unable to finish.

Food preparation is also key. For sufferers with declining eyesight, it can be difficult to make out a white plate against a white table cloth with a white napkin. Most will push away their meal rather than ask for help. Solve this by adding contrast to the plate and table setting.

Hydration is an incredibly important part of an Alzheimer’s sufferer’s health as well. Regular hydration is key, as is making water out and available at all times. Being well hydrated means fewer infections, thus fewer drugs and hospitalizations. Also, many medications can cause dehydration, which is an added concern. Encourage frequent hydration. For those sufferers living in senior care community, caregivers can encourage hydration by simply placing a sign that reads, “Free” next to all the hydration stations. This will remove the unfamiliarity and discomfort some sufferers may feel when they encounter a hydration station. Remember – this generation, for the most part, did not grow up carrying around a water bottle like many of us do.

Also, it’s important to stay consistent, both regarding mealtimes and in other facets of an Alzheimer’s sufferer’s life. Stay true to mealtime routines to instill familiarity and comfort. Finally, whet their appetite by cooking foods with strong, comforting aromas – many sufferers retain their sense of smell much longer than other senses, and the smell of a tasty, familiar food can both comfort them and encourage them to eat more.

About the Author:

Bridges® by EPOCH is the evolution of EPOCH Senior Living’s renowned memory care program BRIDGES®. Recognizing that a free-standing community devoted entirely to caring for those with memory challenges can provide more focused care, an enhanced lifestyle and a more fulfilling environment, Bridges® by EPOCH is the realization of EPOCH’s commitment to improving the lives of all those touched by Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. EOEA Certification Application Pending.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, Alicia Seaver is committed to making a difference in the lives of seniors. Prior to joining the Bridges® by EPOCH team, Alicia held various positions at senior living communities in Florida and Massachusetts, including Executive Director of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care and Memory Care Program Director at Emeritus Senior Living. Through her extensive experience, Alicia gained valuable knowledge and expertise that will allow her to truly make a difference in the lives of residents at Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. Additionally, Alicia is certified by the National Institute on Aging as a Memory Impairment Specialist and is certified in both Massachusetts and Florida as a State Certified Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Trainer. Alicia is excited to be part of an organization that is as dedicated to providing high quality, individualized care to seniors as she is. Alicia currently lives in South Shore with her husband and two daughters.