Care ABC - A for Alzheimer's
Understanding Alzheimer's and dementia - caring support, taking the right action
Alzheimer's dementia not only changes the memory, but the whole life - for those affected and their relatives. When familiar people suddenly forget, how to make coffee or who you are feels like a quiet thunderstorm in your head - quiet, but profound. The disease is caused by deposits in the brain that damage nerve cells, leading to progressive forgetfulness, disorientation and personality changes.
Imagine this: Your father is sitting with you at breakfast, telling a joke - but he loses the thread in the middle of the sentence. A day later, he hardly recognizes you. These moments are not only confusing, but also emotionally stressful. This is exactly where the Everyday care - with questions, worries and the search for support.
In this article, we will guide you through the topic Alzheimer's dementia care. You will learn how Alzheimer's differs from other forms of dementia, how the first symptoms are recognized, how you can support everyday life with loving care and what possibilities there are to relieve you as a relative.
You can also find a well-founded overview of the disease at Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e.V. or the Austrian Alzheimer Society.
What is Alzheimer's and how does the disease manifest itself?
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia - around 60-70% of all dementia cases can be attributed to this neurodegenerative disease (Deutsche Alzheimer Gesellschaft e.V.). It mainly affects people over the age of 65, but can also occur earlier. The disease usually begins gradually and worsens in several stages: from initial word-finding difficulties and memory lapses to complete dependence on support.
Example from everyday life:
Mila, 68, was always very active - she ran the household, met up with friends regularly and solved crossword puzzles. But over time, she forgot appointments, often misplaced her keys and withdrew. Her husband noticed that she no longer knew how to make her favorite soup. The path to diagnosis was emotional - but relieving because it was finally clear why everything had changed.
Alzheimer's or dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for various diseases in which mental capacity declines. Alzheimer's is the best known and most common form. A comparison helps to provide clarity:
A clear distinction not only helps with the diagnosis, but also with the choice of suitable therapies and care services.
History of the disease
Alzheimer's was first described in 1906 by the German neurologist Dr. Alois Alzheimer described. He examined the brain of his deceased patient Auguste D. and found conspicuous protein deposits (plaques) and neurofibrillary tangles - today these are considered typical features of the disease (Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e.V.).
At first, his findings were ridiculed - the symptoms were attributed to old age or mental instability. It was not until the 1960s that researchers recognized the biological basis of the disease and intensified their studies.
Today, these changes - known as amyloid plaques and tau fibrils - are key targets of research into early detection and therapy. Researchers around the world are working on drugs that can reduce these deposits or slow down their formation.
Symptoms: How can I recognize Alzheimer's disease?
The first signs of Alzheimer's usually creep unnoticed into everyday life - and are often mistaken for typical signs of ageing. But if simple actions suddenly become difficult or conversations go nowhere, there may be more to it. The earlier the symptoms are recognized, the easier it is to react and provide support.
Example from everyday life:
Peter, 74, was always the first in the family to solve the crossword puzzle. But in recent months, he has found it increasingly difficult to remember simple terms. He mixed up his grandchildren's names and forgot his shopping list - even though he had written it shortly beforehand. One day, when he was standing in his own street and no longer knew which house he lived in, it was clear that this was no longer just forgetfulness.
Possible symptoms
Important: Every person experiences Alzheimer's differently. That's why an individual approach and careful observation are so important. If you notice such changes, talk to your GP - an early diagnosis can have a positive influence on the further course of the disease.
How can you prevent Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's is not yet curable - but various studies show that a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk. The so-called "cognitive reserve" - the brain's ability to compensate for losses - plays a particularly important role in prevention. This reserve can be strengthened through mental, social and physical activity.
Tips for prevention:
Example:
Erika, 72, lives alone - but she attends a weekly literature circle, does tai chi in the park and solves crossword puzzles every day. Her doctor says that it is precisely this mixture of activity, enjoyment and mental challenge that forms a strong protective shield against dementia.
Disease progression: stages of Alzheimer's and level of care
Alzheimer's develops over a period of years - typically in three stages. The symptoms increase continuously and have an ever greater impact on the lives of those affected. As it progresses, the need for support also increases - from small everyday aids to full care.
In Austria, the classification into a care degree is carried out by a medical report, in Germany by the Medical Service (MD). It is important to apply early - also to relieve the burden on family caregivers.
Caring for people with Alzheimer's
Most people with Alzheimer's are cared for at home - often with a great deal of dedication from their loved ones. However, this care can be emotionally and physically draining. This makes it all the more important to be informed about the basics of dealing with Alzheimer's disease.
Communication and interaction in everyday life
A few tried and tested principles will help you cope better with everyday life:
- Knowledge is power: Inform yourself comprehensively about the disease. Good places to go are, for example, the dementia portal of the Health Knowledge Foundation or the Dementia Guide.
- Understanding instead of discussion: Discussions about things forgotten or "misbehavior" often lead to frustration. Gentle redirections and a calm tone help more.
- Strengthen independence: Let the person concerned decide and do as much as possible themselves - this strengthens their self-esteem.
- Promote reminder: Photos, music and rituals create familiarity and stability.
- Create security: A fixed daily routine, good lighting and clear structures provide orientation.
- Simplify language: Speak slowly, use simple sentences and maintain eye contact.
- Avoid conflicts: Distraction and humor are often more helpful than direct confrontation.
- Take care of yourself: Nursing is demanding. Take regular breaks and get support - e.g. from day care, self-help groups or professional carers.
If you don't know where to start - at noracares you'll find professional caregivers, who are specially trained in dealing with Alzheimer's. The platform brings families directly together with suitable caregivers - personally, closely and digitally.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or another dementia is a journey that is both challenging and deeply moving. It requires not only practical knowledge, but also emotional strength, patience and the willingness, accept help.
By having the right information and resources at your fingertips, you can not only improve your loved one's life, but also improve your own quality of life.
There are numerous options for support - from respite services for family caregivers to specialized caregivers and forms of housing. It is important that you know your own limits, plan breaks in good time and know that you are not alone.
Use the tips in this article to make your day-to-day care more conscious, strengthen your relationship with your loved one - and don't forget yourself. Because good care also starts with self-care.
Would you like support in caring for a relative with Alzheimer's? Then start your search now on noracares and find the right companion - personal, empathetic and reliable.
- Alzheimer's: The most common form of dementia. It leads to the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain and manifests itself in memory loss, speech disorders and personality changes.
- Dementia: A collective term for various diseases associated with a progressive loss of mental abilities - including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia.
- Care level (Germany): A system for classifying people's need for care, which distinguishes between level 1 (low need for support) and level 5 (most severe need for care). Basis for financial benefits from long-term care insurance.
- Care level (Austria): The Austrian equivalent of the German care level. It ranges from level 1 to level 7 and is the basis for the amount of care allowance.
- Amyloid plaques: protein deposits in the brain that occur between the nerve cells in Alzheimer's patients and are considered to cause the disease.
- Tau fibrils: Clumped protein structures within the nerve cells that block cell transport and lead to the death of nerve cells - typical in Alzheimer's disease.
- Cognitive reserve: The brain's ability to compensate for damage through alternative ways of thinking and solving problems. It can be strengthened through education, mental activity and social interaction.
- Nursing: A financial benefit that is available to people with care needs - either directly to the person in need of care or to pay family caregivers or professionals.
