June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and if your elderly father has been diagnosed with this form of dementia, you already understand some of the symptoms.

Most people associate some level of memory loss with Alzheimer’s, as they should. If you are his caregiver, though, and have never done anything like this in the past, you may not know what to expect.

That’s okay, though. You don’t have to know or expect everything, but it’s a good idea to have at least a basic idea of what could happen in the months and years ahead as well as what’s important for supporting him when those months turn the corner into years.

What will happen in the future?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. That means the symptoms are going to get worse over time. Currently, there is no cure for it, though some treatment options are available.

While your father’s memory loss may be considered somewhat mild at the moment, that’s not going to hold true for the long haul. Eventually, his memory will fail him more and more.

At the moment, he might have trouble remembering conversations he had with you or others yesterday, last week, or last month. He might even use the wrong word at times and not even realize it.
In the coming years, though, the toughest symptoms are going to be on the horizon and as his primary caregiver, you need to be prepared.

-First, he may struggle to remember people closest to him. This would include you. That’s not going to be easy to handle when it happens, but you’ve got a good attitude and are expecting these things.

-Second, he may exhibit aggressive tendencies. This is often what family caregivers don’t expect. Even though you may know it could be coming, you don’t think about it or you might assume you’ll be able to handle it just fine.
That’s not always going to be the case. Alzheimer’s affects the brain in some powerful ways and can cause a person to act in a completely out-of-character manner. For example, your father may have never been aggressive or verbally abusive, but suddenly he lashes out at you.

When you’re a caregiver and are sacrificing your time and effort to help him, giving up your life and time with friends and other loved ones and he’s lashing out at you, it’s easy to feel resentful.

Alzheimer’s: Don’t wait until these things happen.

Take charge and know what could occur and what symptoms may be prevalent in the future. If you only have information, that may not be enough. You may not be best prepared for the future.

Hiring home care for your father now could not only help you and others supporting him be better prepared for those future symptoms, but they can also act as a buffer when those aggressive tendencies begin showing themselves.
Don’t wait until the last minute. When you care for someone with Alzheimer’s, understand the benefits home care can offer.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Burlingame, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care.
Call today: (415) 795-2203

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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