The end stage of Alzheimer’s disease needs a round the clock care for the patient. This disease is a terminal one and the final stages are rather complex and the progression is disorderly. Even experienced care givers find themselves facing a challenge here with a person who cannot even help themselves with the simple daily functions. They need care at every step and become like infants. There is no way that the family can cope with looking after an Alzheimer’s patient at this stage and skilled help is required which can be availed of from hospice care.
The job to provide care to an Alzheimer’s patient at the end stage is not something which anyone can handle alone and feelings of inadequacy, despair and anger may get the better of the person. It is frustrating because you know that no matter how much you care for the person and try to make them comfortable the end is nearing and there is nothing you as a care giver can do about it. The caregiver has to understand what the person required and provide it without any communication having been made. This is why the caregiver has to be extremely sensitive to the needs of the patient.
The best way to cope with the situation is to get some assistance which is practical and the best place to get this from is the hospice care. The person has to be bathed, dressed, fed and every need has to be seen to. The care giver has to be physically and mentally strong to make sure that the patient is well cared for. Experienced and qualified support is what is required as these people have prior experience in such cases.
If the home is convenient and can provide the space and accommodate the equipment required in an emergency the patient can be kept at home with a qualified nurse from hospices.
