Home Care: One of the most devastating effects of Alzheimer’s on seniors is that it robs them of their ability to recognize or communicate the most basic of needs.
As the Alzheimer’s progresses your senior loved ones may have trouble communicating when they are hungry when they are tired, when they are thirsty, or when they are in pain. During November, which is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month, family members should try to learn more about the ways that Alzheimer’s impacts their senior loved ones. Considering home care service providers can be a big help with Alzheimer’s care.
If you ask your senior loved one if they are in pain they may not be able to tell you that they are but these four actions can indicate that they are experiencing pain even if they can’t express it verbally:
Moaning, Whimpering, Or Vocalizing
Your senior loved one may make sounds, whimper, or moan when they can’t actually form words. This is very hard on caregivers because it can be difficult to know what the problem is even though you want to help your loved one and don’t want them to be in pain. A home care provider who has experience caring for people with Alzheimer’s may be able to help you and your loved one communicate more effectively or identify the source of any pain that your loved one is experiencing.
Crying
If your senior loved one has tears in their eyes or starts crying but you can’t figure out what is making them upset it could be that they are experiencing pain and just can’t tell you that they are having pain. Tears can be an involuntary bodily response to pain. If your loved one starts crying tears you should take that as a sign that they are physically in pain or that they are upset. Don’t ignore tears.
Holding Or Touching A Body Part
When your senior parent is unconsciously touching their head, holding their wrist, favoring a foot, or in some other way drawing attention to a particular body part it could be that they are experiencing pain in that body part. A home care provider can let you know if it’s normal for your senior loved one to walk around holding their elbow, for example. If not it could be a sign of pain.
Home Care: Constant Pacing
Pacing is a sign of agitation, but agitation can be physical or mental. If your senior loved one is constantly pacing or seems upset and you can’t find a reason for them to be upset and they can’t tell you why they are agitated it could be that they are feeling pain and don’t know what to do about it or how to express it so they are pacing.
If you see that your loved one is pacing you may want to ask them if they have a pain in their head, or in their back, or wherever else they have a tendency to have pain. Sometimes they may not be able to tell you directly that they are in pain but if you ask them directly about the pain they can answer your question with a yes or no. Home care services can assist you with Alzheimer’s care.
If you or someone you know needs Home Care in Hutchinson, MN, contact Adara Home Health Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve.
Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.
Source:
https://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/advanced-dementia-and-end-of-life-care/end-of-life-care/pain.asp