How to handle my wife, diagnosed with stage 4 Alzheimer's, efficiently?

Question

Hi doctor,

My wife is diagnosed with Alzheimers' stage 4, and it is tough to manage her. We are unable to take care of her. She even forgets me at times. She is 65-years-old and got diagnosed just a few months back. She walks into other houses. I frequently have to get in fights with my neighbors. They seldom try to understand Alzheimer's. How can I handle this situation?

Please help me, doctor.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

1. Try to keep a routine for bathing, dressing, and eating.

2. Help your wife write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.

3. Plan activities that your wife enjoys and try to do them at the same time every day.

4. Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.

5. When dressing or bathing, allow your wife to do it herself as much as possible.

6. Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, or buckles.

7. Use a sturdy shower chair to support your wife if she is unsteady to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs from drug stores and medical supply stores.

8. Be gentle and respectful. Tell your wife what you will do, step by step, while you help them bathe or get dressed.

9. Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.

Thanks and regards.