Then there's the cost of homecare nurses, trips to the hospital, ambulance rides, and other health-related expenses. However, the challenges of caring for an Alzheimer's patient at home only multiply, so when you think you can help a loved one sufficiently to overcome a certain level of disability, their needs increase. A person who is still between 30 and 40 years old may begin to show early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, although it is more common in people who are of retirement age or older. In the early stages, a person has difficulty processing information, remembering simple things or tasks, and focusing.
Families around the world juggle children, jobs and aging parents in an effort to care for their own. Sometimes these feelings are exacerbated by an older person's shared belief that they are losing sight and mind. The slow progression of these conditions can make it difficult for the affected family member to accept that it is not possible to live without assistance 24 hours a day, even when other people familiar with the situation are quite clear about it. No adult son or daughter wants to admit that one of their parents, who for so many years provided life, care and help to the child, now needs care that simply cannot be provided in exchange.
The reality is that the care needs of an elder can reach a point where professionals can provide a much safer and healthier environment than that of a family. However, for older family members, there is a much greater risk of bone fractures due to progressive bone loss. Even in the early stages, a momentary lack of thinking can be disastrous while driving, working around the house, or taking daily medications. It's an option for those who are mostly empowered and who still want (and can live safely) a high degree of freedom and independence.
Conditions, such as severe or recurrent strokes, require an environment in which a person can not only receive careful treatment for pre-existing or recent episodes of illness, but also receive intensive preventive care. These tasks include bathing, cooking, eating, changing clothes, and getting in and out of the tub safely.
