BrightStar Care of Pittsburgh SW Celebrates Alzheimer's Awareness Month
Since November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, here are some thoughtful tips for communicating with someone with Alzheimer's or dementia:
- Never argue, instead agree
- Never reason, instead divert
- Never shame, instead distract
- Never lecture, instead reassure
- Never say "remember," instead reminisce
- Never say "I told you," instead repeat/regroup
- Never say "You can't," instead do what they can
- Never command/demand, instead ask/model
- Never condescend, instead encourage
- Never force, instead reinforce
Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing.
The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is difficulty remembering newly learned information because Alzheimer's changes typically begin in the part of the brain that affects learning. As Alzheimer's advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers; more serious memory loss and behavior changes; and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.
People with memory loss or other possible signs of Alzheimer’s may find it hard to recognize they have a problem. Signs of dementia may be more obvious to family members or friends. Anyone experiencing dementia-like symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you need assistance finding a doctor with experience evaluating memory problems, your local Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Alzheimer's Association chapter can help. Early diagnosis and intervention methods are improving dramatically, and treatment options and sources of support can improve quality of life. Two helpful support resources you can tap into are ALZConnected, Alz.org’s messages boards and online social networking community, and Alzheimer's Navigator, a web tool that creates customized action plans, based on answers you provide through short, online surveys.
How BrightStar Care Can Help
BrightStar Care® is your solution for professional care for early, middle, and late-stage dementia care. Our mission is to provide your loved one living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia the individualized care and support they need to:
- Live with Dignity and Purpose safely and securely in their own home
- Enjoy Optimal Health and emotional well-being
- Maintain Connections to the people, places, things, and memories that matter most to them
Customized Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Services
- We customize our range of care services to the specific needs of those living with dementia and their families. The BrightStar Care RN Director of Nursing evaluates each client, creates a personalized plan of care, oversees our specially trained caregivers, and regularly reviews care notes with you to make sure we are meeting your expectations.
- Full Support Service — Our caregivers provide personal, companion, and specialized memory care, including transportation and light housekeeping. In addition, our nurses can provide skilled care and medication management as needed.
- Hourly, Live-In, and 24/7 Care — We can provide care for just a few hours a day to round-the-clock support with a live-in, or 24/7, if overnight care is required.
- Respite Care — Need a break? We can provide care so family caregivers can have an evening, a full day, a weekend, or even a week or more to recharge and refresh.
Learn More About BrightStar Care Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
BrightStar Care is ready to help
Call our local Pittsburgh SW team for more information at 412-212-6126
BrightStar Care of Pittsburgh SW proudly provides Home Health Care and Support for Seniors and Children, including 24 hour Skilled Nursing and In Home Care and Support in senior independent and assisted living communities. Additionally we provide Medical Staffing and In-Home Physical Therapy for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients, and Companion and Personal Care for Elders with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. We also provide Home Child Care, Sitter and Nanny services for Children and Support for New Mothers. At BrightStar Care of Pittsburgh our Registered Nurse Director of Nursing leads experienced, trustworthy, compassionate caregivers who provide a full range of services in the comfort and safety of your home. Our Caregivers are fully screened, insured and bonded, certified and/or licensed. We Support Veterans and accept most Long Term Care Insurance benefits, provide Hospice Care, Live-in Care, CNA, Caregiver, RN, LPN, RN Supervision, Compassionate Care, and Compatibility Guarantees. We are an ALS Society partner and Alzheimer's Association member, and also provide care for developmentally disabled individuals and those of all ages with mental health and behavioral health diagnoses. Other services include Safe Discharge and Transportation from the hospital or rehab facility, both short term and long term Post Op care, Pre Operation and Preparation help and assistance, and Client Monitoring for out of town family members. Proudly serving Bridgeville, Clairton, Elizabeth, South Park, and Pittsburgh in PA.