A day in the life of a family caregiver is challenging. A day caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s can be additionally stressful as verbal and physical abuse may occur because of the disease. It’s not that your parent would ever treat you like that normally, but the brain’s deterioration makes for unpredictable behavior. It may be time to get more help from Alzheimer’s care providers and try some of these tips.

Create a Routine

Someone with Alzheimer’s needs routine. Try to stick to a schedule where meals are spaced out at certain intervals, and time bathroom trips shortly after meals to avoid accidents. Plan activities to take place throughout the day, which helps avoid excess napping, and keeps bedtime at a set hour.

Another routine to keep in mind comes later in the day when the sun gets lower in the sky. That’s prime sundowning time. Use timers and have lights set to turn on earlier to prevent shadows and dark areas that increase your mom’s agitation. Keep her busy in those hours and she may never notice.

Expect the Unexpected

While you may have a plan for the day, don’t always expect it to go as planned. Your mom will have good days and bad days. On the bad days, she won’t cooperate without a lot of negotiation. You may need to offer her favorite snack in exchange for her letting you brush her hair or put her clothes on.

For hours, your mom asked for soup and grilled cheese for dinner. You make that and she claims she never wanted it. That happens a lot with Alzheimer’s. The best way to handle it is to put the soup and sandwich on the table and let her walk away.

Wait 10 minutes and try again. She’s not going to remember that she didn’t want it and was upset just a few minutes ago. You can also have cold finger foods in the refrigerator and set them out from time to time.

Aim for Finger Foods

As Alzheimer’s progresses, your mom’s going to have a hard time using a fork, spoon, or knife. Stick to finger foods like fish sticks, chicken fingers, vegetable sticks, fruit slices, and finger sandwiches. They’ll be easier for her to eat without help.

Drinking from a straw may be easier for her. Yogurt drinks and protein shakes help keep her nourished in easy-to-manage boxes or bottles.

You Could Get Help from Alzheimer’s Care Aides

No matter what other family members may say, you do not have to do this alone. Your mom wouldn’t want you to put your life aside to care for her. It’s better to arrange Alzheimer’s care services and take breaks when you need them.

Help your mom when you can, go to work as needed, and know that an Alzheimer’s care aide has your mom’s care needs covered when you’re away. You can visit friends, sleep in, stay home and relax, or go to work without worrying about what your mom is doing.

If you are considering hiring Alzheimer’s Care Services in Ontario OH, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161.  

Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Ontario, Bucyrus, Mt. Vernon, Marion, Willard, and the surrounding areas.

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Stephen Sternbach

CEO at Central Star Home Health Services

With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sternbach has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Star Multi Care Services since 1987. After the sale of the New York and New Jersey operations of Star Multi Care Services, Sternbach brought the company private where he remains President and CEO of this 40-million dollar company. With Sternbach at the helm, Star Multi Care Services employs more than 650 employees, in six offices throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

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