Caregivers' Tips: Caring & Managing Alzheimer's Patients

One in three Hongkongers aged 80 or above suffers from dementia, which can occur due to a number of conditions, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, the number of people aged over 80 will reach its peak, so as the number of Hongkongers suffering from dementia.¹

Stress and Alzheimer's disease

Depending on the stage of deterioration, Alzheimer’s patients experience different degrees of stress and display different signs and symptoms. Initially, they start forgetting things. As the disease progresses, delusions could set in. At an advanced stage, patients might lose basic abilities.²

Here are some of the things caregivers could do for Alzheimer's patients.

1. Help exercise their brain
2. Help feed them or help them feed themselves 
3. Ensure they attend appointments or pay bills on time
4. Plan for them what clothes to wear 
5. When talking gets too difficult, connect with them through other senses like music

Caregiver stress

Battling Alzheimer’s is stressful. So is caring for someone with dementia. Caregivers are prone to experience anxiety, exhaustion, depression and social withdrawal.³

What should Alzheimer's caregivers do?

1. Eat and rest well
2. Exercise, even just 10 minutes a day would help
3. Give yourself “me” time
4. Relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing
5. Learn how to cope as the disease progresses. Alzheimer’s Association contains all sorts of Alzheimer’s-related information, e.g. risk factors, facts & figures, caring tips 
6. Seek help from support groups for dementia carers, e.g Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association

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Sources:

1. SCMP - Third of Hongkongers over 80 will have dementia by 2050 as experts warn city is completely unprepared
2. WebMD - 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
3. Alzheimer's Association - Caregiver Stress