LightBridge

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

• IN THE NEWS
• FEATURED ARTICLE
• ASK DR. MINDY™
• CAREGIVER TIPS

NOW ON SALE!
Volume 1: Managing the Difficulties of Mealtime & Overview of Alzheimer's Disease
Click here to order
Click here to view a demo

_________________

"I believe LightBridge is designed to meet the needs of the daily caregiver by offering quality information they can use to enhance the lives of those they care for."

Karen Kauffman, PhD, CRNP, BC, is a board certified Gerontological Nurse Practicioner and an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

_________________

CAREGIVER TESTIMONIAL

"These CDs absolutely exceeded my expectations - They are extremely well done."

Mr. Archibald
Caregiver, CA

Women Caregivers for Family Members with Alzheimer's Disease
Mindy Kim-Miller, MD, PhD

The role of caregiving for a family member with Alzheimer's disease is primarily a woman's role. And this role has serious financial and medical repercussions. Of the almost 10 million Americans caring for a person with AD or other dementia, about 75% are women, 50% are the spouse of the care recipient (32% wives, 17% husbands), and 40% are the children, primarily daughters. Many women face the challenge of balancing the demands of caregiving with their employment. The average caregiver provides 16.6 hours of care per week, but nearly a quarter of the caregivers for people with AD and related dementias provide 40 hours a week or more of care. Because of caregiving responsibilities, 10% of employed family caregivers go from full-time to part-time jobs. Despite the time demands, the majority (57%) of family caregivers work full or part time, comprising 13% of the workforce...
read more

Mindy Kim-Miller, MD, PhD
click here to learn about Dr. Mindy

Question:
Sometimes my mother does not want to drink water with her meals, and she often seems to forget to drink during the day. How important is it for her to drink more water, and how do I get her to do it?
--Victoria, 47, Chicago

Answer:
Drinking enough fluids every day is very important for good health. Not getting enough fluids can increase one's risk for complications such as dehydration and constipation.

Elderly people are more prone to dehydration. They have less water content in their bodies (about 60% as opposed to 70% in younger adults), a lowered thirst response, and the kidneys concentrate urine less well with aging. Swallowing problems, poor food intake, and long periods between drinking fluids can increase the risk of dehydration. Some elderly may also be taking medications (such as diuretics or laxatives) that increase fluid loss. Dehydration can have serious medical complications including kidney and heart problems. When dehydration is mild, the skin and insides of the mouth, nose, and eyelids become dry. Persons with dementia may act more confused and sluggish if they are dehydrated. Standing up may make them feel light-headed and they may faint. As dehydration becomes more severe, the body makes less urine, and the urine becomes dark. Severe dehydration can lead to low blood pressure that can be life-threatening. It is very important to maintain a safe level of hydration...
read more

ABOUT LIGHTBRIDGE

LightBridge Healthcare Research, Inc. is a provider of learning resources and educational guides based on cutting edge Alzheimer’s disease research custom designed for the at-home caregiver. We understand the complications, challenges, and resulting stresses associated with caring for loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease...
read more

___________

SUBSCRIBE

If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of this newsletter, please reply to this email and place "subscribe" in the subject line.

Practical Strategies to Increase Hydration in a Person with Alzheimer's Disease

Drinking enough fluids every day is very important for good health. Not getting enough fluids can increase one's risk for complications such as dehydration and constipation, but getting persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to drink the recommended 6 to 8 cups of fluid each day can be difficult. At times, persons with AD will refuse to drink, but all difficult behaviors can successfully be managed by using creative strategies.

Here are some practical strategies for caregivers to try:

1. A good basic approach to caregiving for a person with Alzheimer's disease is to anticipate needs before they occur. Set a daily schedule for eating and drinking. In the case of hydration, identify key times during the day that offering fluids fits naturally into other types of activities. For example, before and after taking a walk, sitting down to watch a movie, enjoying an afternoon on the back porch are all times that offering fluids makes sense.
2. If your person with AD tends to wander during the day, try offering fluids with lids so that he/she can continue to walk but may be cued to take a drink of fluid from time to time...
   

For more hydration tips click here

10 Tips for Caregivers on Managing Mealtimes

1. Encouragement can be a key element to a successful meal. Sit close and smile to get the attention of the person you are assisting. Give necessary directions in simple phrases to guide her to eat and drink at meals.
2. Provide a comfortable atmosphere by checking room temperature, providing good lighting, and using comfortable chairs at the table. Encourage the person you are assisting to toilet before meals to increase their comfort, which will also increase appetite...

For more tips on managing mealtime click here

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:
Subscribe
If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of this newsletter, please reply to this email and place "subscribe" in the subject line.
Unsubscribe
To unsubscribe from the LightBridge newsletter, simply reply to this email and place "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Privacy Policy
Privacy Statement: http://www.lightbridgehealthcare.com/privacy.xml