Keep a written record of when the person goes to the bathroom, and when and how much the person eats and drinks. Incontinence is also common during late-stage Alzheimer's. The person may need to be walked to the restroom and guided through the process. Downloadĭifficulty with toileting is very common at this stage in the disease. Learn more: Food and Eating Bowel and bladder functionĭownload, print and keep the checklist handy to prevent dangerous situations and help maximize the person living with dementia's independence for as long as possible. See the doctor to have weight loss evaluated. While weight loss during the end of life is to be expected, it also may be a sign of inadequate nutrition, another illness or medication side effects. Always check the temperature of warm or hot liquids before serving them. If the person has trouble swallowing water, try fruit juice, gelatin, sherbet or soup. The person may not always realize that he or she is thirsty and may forget to drink, which could lead to dehydration. Make sure all food and fluid is swallowed before continuing on with the next bite. You may need to remind the person to chew or swallow. Assist the person with feeding, if needed.Serve finger foods if the person has difficulty using utensils. Begin by putting food on a spoon, gently putting his or her hand on the spoon, and guiding it to the person's mouth. Sometimes a person needs cues to get started. You can also buy food thickeners at a pharmacy or health care supply store, try adding pudding or ice cream, or substitute milk with plain yogurt. Thicken liquids such as water, juice, milk and soup by adding cornstarch or unflavored gelatin. Choose soft foods that can be chewed and swallowed easily. Adapt foods if swallowing is a problem.To aid digestion, keep the person upright for 30 minutes after eating. Make sure the person is in a comfortable, upright position.To help the person in late-stage Alzheimer's stay nourished, allow plenty of time for eating and try these tips: Learn more: Residential Care, Hospice Care and End-of-Life Decisions (PDF) Food and fluids Ideally, discussions about end-of-life care wishes should take place while the person with the dementia still has the capacity to make decisions and share wishes about life-sustaining treatment. To qualify for hospice benefits under Medicare, a physician must diagnosis the person with Alzheimer's disease as having less than six months to live. The underlying philosophy of hospice focuses on quality and dignity by providing comfort, care and support services for people with terminal illnesses and their families. Remember, regardless of where the care takes place, the decision is about making sure the person receives the care needed.Īt the end of life, another option is hospice. There are many good ways to provide quality care. Families that have been through the process tell us that it is best to gather information and move forward, rather than second guessing decisions after the fact. This may mean moving the person into a facility in order to get the care needed.ĭeciding on late-stage care can be one of the most difficult decisions families face. Since care needs are extensive during the late stage, they may exceed what you can provide at home, even with additional assistance. Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk shares a touching story about caring for his mother.
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