Photo by Matteo Vistocco on Unsplash
As COVID-19 continues to devastate lives all across the planet, it leaves some people more vulnerable than others. People with Alzheimer’s don’t have the same awareness of danger as everyone else. As a result, additional measures need to be taken to make sure that they are properly being taken care of. Approximately five million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and there are an additional 40 million diagnoses worldwide. With so many people at risk, it is important to have a plan on how to take care of someone with Alzheimer’s, especially when none of us know when things will be getting back to normal.
Who This Affects
Alzheimer’s can begin affecting someone at the age of 65-year-old. One in 10 Americans (5.8 million) age 65 and older are affected by Alzheimer’s — that’s 10 percent of the cases in the United States, 80 percent are people who are 75 years old or older. This is especially concerning because this age group is most likely to be put into intensive care after contracting COVID-19. People who take care of them are called caregivers. Most of them are people who already live with the person who has Alzheimer’s, and 30 percent of them are about 65 years old. Prior to COVID-19, caregivers had already taken on a devastating toll. Many of them suffered from substantial emotional, financial, and physical difficulties. Now with COVID-19, caregivers must learn how to adapt to make sure that their responsibility for someone with Alzheimer’s doesn’t become too overwhelming.
Tips For Alzheimer Caregivers At Home
The following are guidelines from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Alzheimer’s causes increased confusion for those who are affected. Therefore, one with Alzheimer’s is most likely to forget the importance of constantly practicing a hygienic routine, in order to prevent catching COVID-19.
- Consider placing signs in the bathroom and elsewhere to remind people with dementia to wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds.
- Demonstrate thorough hand-washing.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be a quick alternative to hand-washing if the person with dementia cannot get to a sink or wash his/her hands easily.
- Ask your pharmacist or doctor about filling prescriptions for a greater number of days to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
Your Health Is Also Important
It is also crucial for a caregiver to monitor their own health. If a caregiver starts displaying flu-like symptoms, they must self-quarantine. Infecting someone with Alzheimer’s could be deadly. Finding someone you trust to watch over them or temporarily putting them into a facility, might be the best option as you spend a minimum of two weeks to recover. It may be stressful to care for someone during such unprecedented times but always practice self-care.
Stay Up To Date
A caregiver should maintain knowledge of current events. Each day, the information on COVID-19 is evolving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is constantly updating their website and are a reliable source if a caregiver needs to obtain information on the virus. The CDC provides information on testing locations, hygienic precautions, etc. With information on how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s in all different types of situations, the CDC should be your first resource.
Waiting Game
The United States and the rest of the world have endured about 6 months of COVID-19. With so much that is still uncertain, it is important to stay up to date on incoming information. Practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing face masks is what people must do to keep everyone safe. As a caregiver, these are things that must be done on a daily basis when constantly interacting with an older adult. With a minimum of a year left until a possible vaccine comes out, learning to adapt is key.
