Page 22 - Boca ViewPointe - October '21

Page 22, Viewpointe October 2021
Alzheimer’s Disease:

You, Your Family And Your Health Care Team

Submitted by Stratford Court observation skills of caregivers. Working together, caregivers or friends that the disease advances slowly, allowing time to
and health care professionals are best able to develop make plans to support the patient and each other during what
Finding a doctor you like a treatment plan that best serves the needs of everyone will be a difficult, draining experience — both physically and
Because of the slow, long-term nature of Alzheimer’s involved. emotionally.
disease (AD), it is extremely important that caregivers By keeping a diary or observation log, caregivers can As the reality of the diagnosis sets in:
and patients find a health care professional they are able to provide valuable information about changes in or patterns 1. Everyone should try to become as knowledgeable as
understand, trust, and work comfortably with over time. Both of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, reactions and possible about AD. AD advocacy organizations have useful
caregivers and patients will need a physician who not only responses to medications and shifts in ability to perform materials for families.
knows about the special needs and stresses of AD, but also activities of daily living. In addition to medical management, 2. Prospective caregivers will have a variety of feelings
one who is available and accessible. a comprehensive treatment plan will include strategies for and responses. It’s common for family members to have a
To this end, caregivers should take the time to develop dealing with deteriorating psychological and social skills. variety of reactions, or go through stages of denial, fear,
a list of questions to ask their prospective doctors about the A complete team may include a social worker, physical and anger following diagnosis. Some family members may
treatment and management of AD. Caregivers should not be therapist, psychologist, home health aide, dietitian, “Elder simply refuse to accept the diagnosis for a long time.
afraid to ask tough questions about quality of care. Law” attorney and clergy — any of whom would be helpful 3. There may be family members who, because of
Tough questions at different stages of the disease process. temperament, age, or life skills, will not be able to pitch in
Here are some suggested questions you may want to ask Communicating with family to the extent that the primary caregiver may want. Knowing
your health care provider: Breaking this kind of news is never easy: Is it better to and accepting this in advance will reduce family frictions
• How do you manage questions from caregivers? make a phone call? Convene a family meeting? Share books and lingering resentments.
• Within what time frame do you generally return phone and videos? Write letters? Log onto e-mail? You may have to Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be
calls? do all of these things. Remember that everyone has a different challenging. At Sunrise Senior Living communities, our
• How often do you schedule examinations for AD learning style or way of receiving information. compassionate and well-trained team members can offer
patients and their families? In addition, responses will vary depending on the advice about how to meet the needs of your senior loved
• What arrangements do you prefer for payment: are you relationship of the person with AD to others who need to one as well as provide helpful information for caregivers.
flexible about this? understand what is going on. It stands to reason that a spouse And, at many of our locations, we offer support groups for
• What other therapies do you recommend beyond will have different concerns and reactions from someone caregivers.
traditional medications? whose parent, grandparent, in-law, or uncle is diagnosed Reprinted with permission from Janssen Pharmacuetica.
• Are you involved with clinical trials in this area of with AD. Making decisions about who needs to know, and Sunrise does not endorse Janssen Pharmacuetica or
medicine? when, is part of appropriate communication. Shielding any product or service offered by Janssen Pharmacuetica.
Developing a treatment plan together certain family members may or may not make sense. A social This article is presented for informational purposes. This
Caregivers may rely on the expertise of health care worker, counselor, psychologist, clergy member, or primary article does not provide medical advice and is not intended
providers, but health care providers also rely heavily on the care physician can help families negotiate the communication to substitute for professional healthcare treatment. Contact
process. your doctor if you have any questions about your medical
At least, the caregiver can assure other family members condition. 
Clowns on Call from page 21

etc. Of course we are all Volunteers, so
there is never a charge, and the
Red-Nose Readers is a non-profit
organization.
If you haven’t checked our
website to see the many places
we have performed, and watch
some skits from our “Wiggles and
Giggles” show, you can find it at
BocaPointeClownsonCall.com. Thanks for
reading and following us- You may see us on campus, Servicing PETS of Boca Raton
so please wave!  for over 20 years
“Caring is our Specialty”
Complete medical, Surgical and Dental
Facility SPA Bath & Grooming

Candy bar performing in West Hampton this summer

Attention

Dog Owners

It is your responsibility
to pick up after your
dog. It’s the law. Some
of you have been
negligent in doing so.

Please keep our
Boca Pointe community
beautiful!