The most difficult part of caring for most persons on their journey with any type of dementia, including Alzheimer's, are the behavioral changes that occur.
For some people, these changes are mild and not difficult for those caring for them, but for many, the behaviors can include aggression, bizarre and extreme changes that are diametrically opposed to the person they were and that we knew them to be.
I was a 24/7 caregiver for my mother for four years.
She was my best friend, but when I moved back home to take care of this gentle, kind lady, I found instead a woman I didn't recognize, who threw food at me, wandered off through the neighborhood by herself, accused me of stealing from her, who didn't recognize me and other behaviors that made it difficult for me to maintain my own health and sanity.
When I questioned the established health care for assistance, I received virtually no help.
I've heard this scenario from so many others that I have met who have cared for someone with dementia.
Friends and other
family members often don't see or understand what is happening and are critical of the care you're trying to provide.
I wanted my mother to have the best quality of life that she could have - at whatever level she was at - and the suggestion from others was usually to provide medication that would have sedated her to a point that she would have no quality of life.
Although it was hard, I was able to satisfy the goals I had set for her and myself and it is an experience that I would repeat, if I needed to.
For the past nine years, I have provided one on one training to families and family caregivers, as well as, assisted living facility staff and medical staff in managing these behaviors thorugh non-medication means.
I live in Gallup, but travel throughout a 150 mile radius to assist families.
I provide this training in person at your location, usually providing the basics in a 2 - 3 hour session, on a private pay basis.
I am happy and honored to visit with you about your particular situation.
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