Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological ailment. It results in muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and eventually muscle atrophy. The disease affects neurons that control the voluntary muscles in the body, making it impossible to control those muscles. Seniors with ALS need a lot of help as their illness progresses. That help might come from family members as well as 24-hour home care providers.
Exhibit Plenty of Patience
Illnesses like ALS are frustrating for everyone involved. Family caregivers sometimes get so caught up in everything that needs to be done, though, that they forget how frustrating it is for the person receiving care to live with the effects of ALS. Keeping patience in mind as much as possible is a vital part of helping everyone to get their needs met while also offering the best care possible.
Remember to Keep Seniors Involved in Care Decisions
It’s also really important for family caregivers to remember to keep their aging family members involved in care decisions. Even if the person suffering from ALS has trouble communicating easily, that doesn’t mean that they’re experiencing cognitive challenges. Many family members find themselves forgetting these facts, however, and end up talking “around” the person receiving care instead of to that person about their own life and care needs.
Offer Help and Wait for Confirmation
Dealing with an illness like ALS is complicated and difficult, for everyone involved. It’s really important for family caregivers to exhibit as much patience as possible when helping the people they love. It might be tempting, for instance, to just take over certain tasks, but that might not be what the person needs. They might benefit more from setting up a system that makes it clear when help is welcome and when to back off a little bit. Home care providers can be a huge help in working out these types of dynamics.
Use Adaptive Devices
Adaptive devices and equipment are essential for people with all sorts of health challenges. They can be especially vital for people who have ALS. Tools like wheelchairs, jar openers, and clothing assistance devices are just a few of the options to consider. Elder care providers can help seniors to use these devices properly. They can also help with these tasks if and when additional help is necessary.
Consider 24-hour Home Care Services
Because ALS is a progressive illness, people who have been diagnosed with ALS eventually find themselves needing a lot of help around the clock. 24-hour home care providers can be there to assist with whatever needs arise, day and night. They’re able to ensure that seniors with ALS are eating nutritious meals, remember to take necessary medications, and have help with mobility, companionship, and so much more.
Having the right amount of help, exactly when it’s needed, is crucial for seniors with ALS. 24-hour home care providers can offer the precise type and amount of assistance that seniors with ALS need in order to remain as safe and healthy as they possibly can.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-hour home care in Springtown, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today. Call (817) 631-7710.
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high quality home care in Bosque County, Hill County, Navarro County, Henderson County, Erath County, Somervell County, Johnson County, Ellis County, Parker County, Tarrant County, Kaufman County, Rains County, Hood County, VanZandt County, and Rockwall County in Texas.
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