ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:


In my job I go to many nursing homes and deal with dementia and Alzheimer's patients.  Some of them look so sad as they sit in the hallway in their wheel chairs waiting for the day to pass. 

At one time I worked in a nursing home, and one  of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had may I add, but we had to put these people on schedules. We told them when they had to get up, eat and go to bed. They didn't get to have any freedom anymore. The kitchen was only open at certain times, not like in your home so when you want breakfast at 10 am instead of 7 am, you eat than.  If they wanted a bath instead of a shower, or visit a friend later on the day they can.

Understand it is not the nursing homes fault. There are so many people to be taken care of and not that many nursing aids.

So in my humble  opinion the nursing home helps make the dementia catch on faster. The patient learns not to do for them self anymore, no more choices, no more tasks and so that results in no reason to  live and the mind wonders off to space and the emptiness carries on.

There is an article on Alzheimer's Weekly about people with dementia making decisions. 

Quote from Dr.Boyle:  "It's important for people with dementia to be supported to allow them to make decisions where they're still able to. Having dementia doesn't mean you automatically lose your decision-making ability - this needs to be considered on a decision-by-decision basis. Professionals need to facilitate the involvement of people with dementia in decision-making as much as possible."

Check out this article out. http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/good-decisions-people-dementia

Also check out this U-tube http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/good-decisions-people-dementia

Hope this  helps
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
check out my new book
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317688572&sr=1-9