If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease who is staying in the hospital for any reason it is important to do certain things. Being admitted to the hospital can be very scary for people with Alzheimer’s disease. They may feel scared because they aren’t in a familiar environment. The new people, doctors and nurses who they are not familiar with, might scare them, as well. However, there are some things you can do to make their hospital stay a bit easier.
Have Family There
If your loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease is staying in the hospital for any reason, it is important to have family members there. The hospital might seem very strange to your loved one. They might even be scared and become agitated due to how they are feeling. However, if you can have family members stay there with them this might make things a little more comfortable. You should talk to other family members and make a schedule for who is going to stay with your loved one at the hospital.
Put Up a Notice
While the doctor will know that your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, others who come into their room might not. There are nurses who swap shifts that may come in and out of your loved one’s room. It might be helpful to post a notice outside of your loved one’s room stating that they have Alzheimer’s disease. You can even write down some tips for communicating with your loved one that have worked in the past.
Familiar Surroundings
Your loved one might be afraid to stay in the hospital room because of the unfamiliar surroundings. However, you can bring in something from their home that reminds them they are safe. For instance, if they have a blanket they always use when they are sitting in their recliner, you can bring this blanket to the hospital for them to use. You can also bring their slippers or robe, so they can wear those around their hospital room. These familiar surroundings can help them to feel safer and less agitated.
Home Routines
With Alzheimer’s disease, routines and structure are very important. If your loved one is in the hospital and they aren’t following their normal routine, they might become very agitated. However, you can make a list of their normal routines for the nurses. For instance, if they listen to music at a certain time of the day, make sure that is available for them. If they take a nap at a certain time, be sure the nurses know not to disturb your loved one during that time.
These are some of the tips for making a hospital stay easier for your loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease. If you follow through with these tips, you and your loved one’s elder care providers can make their hospital stay go much smoother.
If you or an aging loved one needs Elder Care in Carmichael, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/going-hospital-tips-dementia-caregivers
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