Alzheimers is a medical condition which is caused as the tissues of the brain slowly degenerates. It generally affects those adults whose age ranges between 65 years to 75 years. Almost half the adults over the age of 85 are afflicted with this condition. Though it is common for persons to experience some memory loss as they get older, Alzheimer is not a normal part of aging. At first the patient begins to have problems in remembering and gradually their mental and social ability decreases considerably. In some worst cases the patient may even remember who they are.
As the disease progresses the condition of the patient worsens to such a state that they need someone to care for them. As there is no known medical cure for Alzheimer, the patients needs the familys support in order to cope with the disease. Treatment can help improve the ability and quality of life of the patient, but in all cases they need care and support.
It has been seen that the families of Alzheimers patients often find themselves in a dilemma over the decision whether they themselves should continue to take care of the patient or they should seek proper Alzheimers care with full time residential care option. It should be kept in mind that in the initial stages of the diseases, the patient can be looked after by the family members at home. The patient can also be looked after properly by the spouse who is the most suitable companion in such cases or some other caretaker may take care of the patient. As the diseases progresses there are a number of factors which contribute to the need of the family of the patient to move him or her to an institute for Alzheimers care so that they can be looked after properly by the experts who are experienced in looking after the patients suffering from Alzheimers disease.
The factors that determine of whether to move a family member into a full time
Alzheimers care institution is based on circumstances which are unique in each case. For example in some cases the person who was looking after the Alzheimers patient may suddenly fall ill or has to go to some other place. Other instances are that the patient may remain awake for most part of the night and attempt to cook meals when the caretaker is asleep or even wander outside the house unnoticed. All of these are dangerous for the patient and it may be assumed that the time has come when the patient can no longer be looked after at home by the family members and he or she should be shifted to some agency or institution which offers full time professional
Alzheimers care. This decision may be a bit difficult or even heart breaking at times but in the end it is the best option both for the family members as well as the patient.
