Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is a huge challenge, but as the disease progresses and the patient edges closer to the end of life there are other concerns. Specialized care from palliative care providers may be the right choice, but when is it time for that option? The question might come down to what else is going on for the Alzheimer’s patient.
Declining Physical Health
The later stage of Alzheimer’s disease often brings with it a decline in physical health. This might be complicated by issues like aspiration pneumonia and recurrent infections. Often Alzheimer’s patients are also dealing with other health issues, particularly chronic health conditions, that are taking a toll on them physically. Hospice helps to manage all of these symptoms, offering comfort and improving quality of life.
Frequent Hospitalizations
If people with Alzheimer’s disease are experiencing increasing health issues, they may also end up in the hospital more often as well. These frequent hospitalizations can be incredibly upsetting for Alzheimer’s patients. Palliative care allows them to remain in their own homes, where they’re surrounded by familiar settings and people. Patients can get the medical care that they need without having to leave their homes and head to the hospital yet again.
Advanced Cognitive Issues
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease and at some point, patients will end up experiencing advanced cognitive decline. This tends to result in reduced communication abilities, trouble recognizing aging adults, and challenges performing basic daily tasks. When this begins to happen, Alzheimer’s patients may be closer to the end of life than family members realize.
Limited Life Expectancy
There can be many different reasons for Alzheimer’s patients to experience a limited life expectancy. They may have other health issues that are causing them to have a shortened lifespan, for instance. Typically, hospice care is recommended when patients are expected to have six months or fewer left to live. When healthcare professionals believe that the patient’s condition is not likely to improve, the focus shifts to comfort and quality of life, which is what hospice is all about.
Family Exhaustion
Caregiving for a person with Alzheimer’s disease is demanding for families. It requires a great deal of time and both physical and emotional energy. It’s extremely common for family caregivers to experience burnout and to have difficulty keeping up with care needs, especially as their family member nears the end of life. Palliative care can help them find the additional support and relief they need to keep caring for their family member.
Time to Seek Palliative Care
Deciding when to make the transition to palliative care depends on so many different considerations, especially for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. Healthcare providers, hospice providers, and families all work together to determine what situations are causing the biggest issues for the person needing care. In the end, transitioning to hospice is not about giving up, but about making sure that the patient is getting the care and support they need to have the best possible quality of life, even with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
If you or your aging loved one could benefit from Palliative Care Services in Branchville SC, contact the caring staff at Grove Park Hospice, at (803)536-6644.
Providing Hospice & Palliative Care in Orangeburg, Bamberg, & Calhoun Counties.
Our team provides care tailored to each patient and family’s individual needs and preferences. Our commitment to promoting comfort and dignity to persons living with a life‐limiting illness is demonstrated daily by our caring team of professionals and volunteers. Grove Park Hospice provides pain management and symptom control, allowing families to focus on what matters most. Our team of nurses certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains and volunteers spend quality time with patients, ensuring they are comfortable and at peace.
Choosing Grove Park Hospice means choosing to live life to its fullest. We focus on enhancing quality of life by offering an array of services to our patients and their families.
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