Thursday, February 9, 2012

Caring For a Loved One Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most prevalent medical conditions that millions of people across the globe suffer from. People older than 65 years of age are often the most susceptible victims of this medical condition, but there are cases where signs and symptoms of this disorder occur earlier. Understanding facts about Alzheimer's can help families devise a plan to provide the best care for their loved one in the long run.

Alzheimer's disease is triggered by the formation of plaques and tangles within the brain which cause the death of brain cells. Scientific studies show that people who have been diagnosed with this condition suffer from a lack of essential chemicals that are directly involved in the transmission of message from one neurotransmitter to another.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative and neurological disease of the brain which is characterized by a significant loss in intellectual abilities such as reasoning and memory. Alzheimer's disease often incapacitates an individual to perform their social, personal and occupational functions in an efficient manner.

The most common sign and symptom of this condition is the loss of memory especially the short term memory. Forgetfulness about what has occurred recently and mild personality changes can also be observed in people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Aggression, agitation, restlessness, wandering and repetitions are some of the most common behavioral symptoms found in victims of Alzheimer's. Furthermore, Alzheimer's patients struggle to recall their past, suffer disorientation about the time and place, have decreased judgment skills and often display reduced organizational skills.

Through the years, children of seniors who suffer from Alzheimer's have struggled to care for their loved ones alone. That is why when family caregivers are no longer able to care for their loved ones by themselves; they turn to professionals for help. Traditionally, assisted living facilities and nursing homes have been the leading choices for elderly suffering from Alzheimer's. This however, has changed in recent times. With research indicating that 8 out of 9 seniors prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, Home Care Agencies have steadily become the preferred choice for seniors and their families. When family caregivers are no longer able to provide round the clock care due to work or busy schedules, they turn to a professional caregiver.

Caring for a love one is a big responsibility, especially when they are suffering from a condition such as Alzheimer's disease. It is important to understand the facts about Alzheimer's and devise a long term strategy of providing care for a loved one. At some point, family caregivers will have to find professional care for their loved ones. Whether it's assisted living, a nursing home or a home care provider, getting a free assessment is the first step towards finding a long term solution to the care needs of a loved one. Most senior care providers offer a free in home consultations to assess the needs of the seniors and their families. It's vital to make sure the care provider (whether Assisted Living, Nursing home or a Home Care Agency) is licensed, bonded, insured and has a great reputation in the community. After all, you do not want to put your loved one in the hands of an unprofessional company or individual.

San Francisco Home Care Assistance offers custom and flexible hourly and live-in home care plans to families in the Bay Area. We are the live-in specialist. Our Caregivers are professional trained and personally committed. For more information visit our website http://www.homecaresanfrancisco.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Iqbal_Jan

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