Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming, as it often involves managing many aspects of their daily routine to ensure they stay healthy and maintain a good quality of life. At our home care agency, we specialize in Alzheimer’s and dementia care to provide the support families need during this challenging journey.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition where amyloid plaques build up in the brain, causing brain cells to die and the brain to shrink over time. This leads to memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with daily tasks, making professional care an essential part of managing the disease effectively.
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s increases with age, affecting approximately 5% of individuals at 65 and doubling every five years thereafter. By the age of 85, nearly one-third of people are living with this condition. With Alzheimer’s and dementia care services, we aim to support individuals living with the disease and provide families with peace of mind, ensuring their loved ones receive compassionate, personalized care tailored to their unique needs.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Weight Loss
Weight loss is a common challenge for individuals receiving Alzheimer’s and dementia care. While minor weight loss may not seem alarming, significant and ongoing weight loss can become a serious concern as the disease progresses. This issue is particularly worrisome because it often involves the loss of muscle mass, which increases the risk of injuries and falls.
At our home care agency, we understand that Alzheimer’s and dementia not only impact memory and cognitive abilities but also change how individuals interact with their environment, including their relationship with food. These changes can make it difficult for your loved one to maintain proper nutrition and health without the right support.
Our professional Alzheimer’s and dementia care professionals are experienced in addressing these challenges by promoting healthy eating habits, preparing nutritious meals, and creating an environment that encourages safe and enjoyable mealtime experiences.
Five Reasons Alzheimer’s Patients Lose Weight
#1 Memory Issues
Memory is one of the first aspects of cognitive health that is affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and it can greatly affect your loved one’s ability to retain short-term memories. While many of us might forget what we had for breakfast today, with Alzheimer’s disease, your loved one might forget to have breakfast altogether and not realize he completely skipped over that meal.
#2 Distraction
As the brain struggles to tell what is real and what isn’t, many Alzheimer’s patients struggle with staying focused during mealtime. They might be agitated by an unknown stimulus, or they might become distracted by something that feels like they can’t ignore (like needing to find something that’s been missing for weeks.
#3 Trouble Chewing or Swallowing
With the changes in the brain, the body starts to lose some of its abilities to perform certain tasks, and those could include chewing and swallowing.
#4 Lack of Appetite
Your loved one may not feel hunger pangs like he used to, making him decline meals or snacks because he doesn’t feel hungry.
#5 Medication Side Effects
Some medications for Alzheimer’s disease can cause nausea or a lack of appetite.
Getting Alzheimer’s Care Meal Assistance
If you are struggling with getting your loved one to eat enough each day, an Alzheimer’s and dementia care professional can assist with meals and mealtime.
Your Alzheimer’s and dementia care provider will be trained in techniques that can encourage your loved one to eat well and stay focused on her meal when it’s mealtime. They can also help you by offering suggestions and tips to assist you when you are the only one in the home providing Alzheimer’s care for your loved one.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. With a provider who comes to the home and is trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, your loved one will receive care geared to his needs and abilities while you receive a little bit of respite from the daily care that you give to your loved one.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care in Milwaukee, WI, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (414) 206-2090
At Talem Home Care of Milwaukee, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Brookfield, Cudahy, Delafield, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.
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