The Brown family reunion has always been an event everyone looks forward to. Family visits, games, stories and everyone’s favorite foods are always on the agenda. On the top of the menu is Grandmas Lemon Coconut Cake. Grandma always makes the traditional cake from her old family recipe. This year, however, the cake tasted a little on the salty side, perhaps a half cup full of salty.

Though the family was disappointed over the cake, of more concern was Grandma’s confusion with the recipe and her similar confusion about the loved ones around her. Could something be wrong with grandma’s mental state?

One might say that for an elder person a little forgetfulness or confusion is normal, but when do you know if there is a serious problem, such as dementia?

An online article from FamilyDoctor.org outlines some common symptoms in recognizing dementia.

“Dementia causes many problems for the person who has it and for the person’s family. Many of the problems are caused by memory loss. Some common symptoms of dementia are listed below. Not everyone who has dementia will experience all of these symptoms.

• Recent memory loss. All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later. People who have dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you’ve already given them the answer. They won’t even remember that they already asked the question.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People who have dementia might cook a meal but forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it.
  Problems with language. People who have dementia may forget simple words or use the wrong words. This makes it hard to understand what they want.
• Time and place disorientation. People who have dementia may get lost on their own street. They may forget how they got to a certain place and how to get back home.
  Poor judgment. Even a person who doesn’t have dementia might get distracted. But people who have dementia can forget simple things, like forgetting to put on a coat before going out in cold weather.
• Problems with abstract thinking. Anybody might have trouble balancing a checkbook, but people who have dementia may forget what the numbers are and what has to be done with them.
• Misplacing things. People who have dementia may put things in the wrong places. They might put an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Then they can’t find these things later.
• Changes in mood. Everyone is moody at times, but people who have dementia may have fast mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.
  Personality changes. People who have dementia may have drastic changes in personality. They might become irritable, suspicious or fearful.
• Loss of initiative. People who have dementia may become passive. They might not want to go places or see other people.”

Dementia is caused by change or destruction of brain cells. Often this change is a result of small strokes or blockage of blood cells, severe hypothyroidism or Alzheimer’s disease. There is a continuous decline in ability to perform normal daily activities. Personal care including dressing, bathing, preparing meals and even eating a meal eventually becomes impossible.

What can family members do if they suspect dementia? An appointment with the doctor or geriatric clinic is the first step to take. Depending on the cause and severity of the problem there are some medications that may help slow the process. Your doctor may recommend a care facility that specializes in dementia and Alzheimer’s. These facilities offer a variety of care options from day care with stimulating activities to part or full-time live-in options. Sometimes if patients tend to wander off, a locked facility is needed.

In the beginning family members find part time caregivers for their loved one. At first, loved ones need only a little help with remembering to do daily activities or prepare meals. As dementia progresses, caregiving demands often progress to 24 hour care. Night and day become confused and normal routines of sleeping, eating and functioning become more difficult for the patient. The demented person feels frustrated and may lash out in anger or fear. It is not uncommon for a child or spouse giving the care to quickly become overwhelmed and discouraged.

Family gatherings provide an excellent opportunity to discuss caregiving plans and whole family support. It is most helpful if everyone in the family is united in supporting a family caregiver in some meaningful way.

“The first step to holding a family meeting, and perhaps the most difficult one, is to get all interested persons together in one place at one time. If it’s a family gathering, perhaps a birthday, an anniversary or another special event could be used as a way to get all to meet. Or maybe even a special dinner might be an incentive.

The end of the meeting should consist of asking everyone present to make his or her commitment to support the plan. This might just simply be moral support and agreement to abide by the provisions or it is hoped that those attending will volunteer to do something constructive. This might mean commitments to providing care, transportation, financial support, making legal arrangements or some other tangible support.” The Four Steps of Long Term Care Planning

Professional home care services are an option to help families in the home. These providers are trained and skilled to help with dementia patients. Don’t forget care facilities as well. It may be the best loving care a family member can give is to place their loved one in a facility where that person is safely monitored and cared for.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care is based in Sarasota, Florida offering in-home care assistance to clients and family by sending certified caregivers to assist seniors in the home from bathing, dressing, cooking, medication reminders, errands and transportation from few hours to 24 hours.  All caregivers are certified,  criminal background checked, employed by the agency.insured and bonded. Services are available in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat key and its neighboring towns.

Staff and caregivers of RIGHT ACCORD has specialized training and newly hired staff completed mandatory Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Training last July 23, 2010 conducted by Pam Polowski, Director Alzheimer’s Association Gulf Coast Florida Chapter.  Next training is scheduled for October, 2010.

Memory Screening is also available through the Sarasota Memorial Memory Disorder Clinic. Call 941.917.7197 or visit their website at: http://www.sarasotageriatrics.com

Of course, the ideal situation would be that a care provider or family member were able to transport the senior to appointments and to perform other errands. Sadly, many seniors do not have access to a care provider services and their nearest family members may live hours away. For this reason, it is prudent for seniors to know what their transportation options are. Here’s a look at some of the services that may be available for seniors who are in need of transportation assistance.

Volunteer Drivers

Many local churches and other non-profit entities have volunteer drivers on staff to assist seniors in getting to doctor visits and other outings. These programs usually have a variety of services available, such as one way trips and multi-stop itineraries. The cost of this kind of service can range from free to donation based – all the way up to a set minimal charge per mile. These types of services generally require advanced reservations to be made.

Paratransit Agencies

Different local and county agencies provide transportation to individuals in need on a mini-mass scale. To achieve this, the agencies utilize passenger vans or minibusses to accomodate up to twenty five people at a time. These vans and buses are usually handicapped accessible for those with limited mobility issues. The fees are generally very small and applied at a flat rate each way, not according to the mileage traveled. This type of service generally drops off seniors at their destination and returns to pick them up at a later scheduled time. Again, this type of service can be in high demand and advanced reservations are often required.

Public Transportation

Public transportation such as city buses and trains are another option for seniors, especially those who are able to still get around pretty well on their own, but may be unable to drive for whatever reason. Many local city and county agencies may offer discounted vouchers or coupons to seniors living on fixed incomes or who are frequent users of the public system.

Right Accord Health has it’s own transport options for getting seniors and their care provider from A to B in safety and comfort.  Servicing the Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat key, Venice and the surrounding areas.  Please visit our Non-Emergency Transport section of this website.

Layout of the home

• How to lock outside doors and windows and where to find the keys to each
• The location of and any special operating instructions for washers and dryers
• Where to find household supplies such as cleaners, detergents, light bulbs, and paper towels
• Where to find cooking implements and any special operating instructions for stoves, dishwashers, or other appliances
• Location of phones and phone lines in the home
• Location of towels, bed linens, and clothing in the case of an accident or change in the weather

Emergency information

• Name and address of primary care physician
• Name and address of preferred hospital
• Location of and how to operate any in-home alarm systems
• Contact information for several family members, friends, and neighbors – including cell phone numbers if available

Personal information about the client

• Food allergies or dietary restrictions
• Likes and dislikes in regards to foods, hobbies, clothing, and activities
• Location of the client’s clothing, shoes, and accessories
• Any special instructions on mobility issues or equipment such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers
• Any important medical conditions or history that may cause a problem for the client or require medical attention
• A list of things the client is not allowed to do – such as go outside alone, cook for themselves, or bathe unassisted
• Information about the client’s need for dentures, eyeglasses, or contact lenses and any special instructions for each one
• Whether there are any activities the client should be doing, such as an exercise program or specific daily routine
• What the family anticipates the client needing assistance with and to what degree
• Any additional information that would be helpful to the care provider

Are you in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Longboat Key or surrounding areas and would like some more information?  If so please contact us right away.