alzheimer’s disease & home safety
DESCRIPTION
The workshop features three parts: Step 1: Share the emotional side of home safety issues for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their caregivers based on literature, advocacy and social media Step 2: Hear real stories from an occupational therapist and a family caregiver who has lived/worked through home safety issues Step 3: Present an Alzheimer’s Home Safety Solutions toolkit that drives effective home safety planning and quality of lifeTRANSCRIPT
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
TMTM
Finding Support & Innovative Solutions
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
The Week ofAugust 26th isNational Safeat Home Week
“The home environment involves the needs, feelings, and
lifestyles of the caregiver, family, and the person with Alzheimer's Disease. Disability affects all family members,
and it is crucial to maintain your emotional and physical welfare
in addition to ensuring a safe environment.”
National Institute on Aging
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Brainwriting is…• a fun, engaging way to brainstorm• sharing as many ideas as possible within a short timeframe Brainwriting Process• Listen for our questions• When prompted, enter your solutions using the webinar chat function• Don’t overthink or agonize…There are no right or wrong answers Brainwriting Outcomes• Peer-to-peer learning and sharing• A publication that benefits others who are living with Alzheimer’s Important• Avoid sharing any information that you would not want others to see
BRAIN WRITINGSolutions
Orange Arrow Button: Minimizes or expands the GoToWebinar control panel.
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Our Goal for Today1. Empower those living with Alzheimer’s disease
2. Share common home safety challenges
3. Create a safe home setting that drives improved quality of life for all
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Presented by:
Bridget Scheidler, OTR/L Fox Occupational Therapist Fox Rehabilitation
Keith Lerner Family caregiver
Chris Kelly, MEd Director of Learning & DevelopmentGriswold Home Care
Keith Lerner Family caregiver
Chris Kelly, MEd Director of Learning & Development
Lit Review
Social Media
Advocacy
Solutions Webinar & Toolkit
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Thank you for your courage, energy, and dedication!
Professional CaregiversHealthcare Providers
Family Caregivers Clients
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Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain disorder that can cause changes in the brain that impact…
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…and cause life-threatening safety issues.
Judgment anddecision-making
About Alzheimer’s Disease & Home Safety
Orientation to person, place and time
Senses: vision, depth perception,sense of touch/temperature
Motor skillsand coordination
Memoryloss
??
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Agnosia:Inability to Recognize the Purpose of Objects
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“It is as if I have been taken to another
world where nothing makes sense. Everything looks foreign.
I know things should make sense – but they don’t. I stare at items
in the bathroom and have moments where I don’t
know what to do.”
- Person with AD
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The Safety Challenge
Ingesting hazardousmaterials orchemicals
Fire hazards
Misunderstandingtraffic signals and
road signs
Eating/choking onnon-food items
Sources: http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0306454602 http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/know_your_brain.htm
Changes in the parietal lobe of the brain can cause agnosia. Safety issues can include:
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
The Emotional Side
People with Alzheimer’s Disease often feel...
Family/professional caregivers feel…
• Anxious, embarrassed, confused, isolated, depressed, loss of dignity, treated like a child
• Shocked, frustrated, confused, anxious, exhausted, isolated, depressed• Like they “can’t turn away for a second”
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In the early and middle stages…
As AD progresses and reading is impaired...
Home Safety Solutions
Use written signs or labelswith short phrases in large print
Remove/hide all objects that could cause physical harm
Visit: http://1.usa.gov/16oTo3q to find a home safety checklist that you can use to ensure that each room of your home is safe.
- Lou Gehrig
“I just can't understand. I am not sick. My eye is sharp, yet I was not swinging as of old. I reduced the weight of my bat from 36 to 33 ounces, thinking a change might work to my advantage, but it didn't.”
- Lou Gehrig
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Real Stories
Bridget Scheidler, OTR/L Fox Occupational TherapistFox Rehabilitation
Keith Lerner Family caregiverKeith Lerner Family caregiver
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
A Search forSomething Familiar
? ?? ?
Wandering: "These things can happen at any given time.
All it takes is a caregiver who’s working really hard, to turn
around for a second and the person can wander.”
- Beth Kallmyer Vice President of Constituent Services Alzheimer's Association
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
The Safety Challenge
Traffic accidents
Changes in the prefrontal cortex, frontal lobe and hippocampus in the brain can cause wandering and pacing. Safety issues can include:
Hypothermia(during winter
months)Drowning
Missing importantmedications
Wandering by foot, car,train, bus or planeHeat exhaustion
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Heat exhaustion FatigueWeight loss
The Safety Challenge
Pacing is a repetitive symptom caused by restlessness. Safety issues can include:
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Family/professional caregivers feel…
The Emotional Side
People with Alzheimer’s Disease often feel...
Family/professional caregivers feel…
• Anxious and confused • Shock, fear, frustration, confused• Exhausted – “can’t turn away for a second”
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
• Create a safe walking path• Set up “rummaging stations” with familiar work/ hobby-related items• In some cases, wandering can only be safely managed in a facility that offers a safe walking path
Home Safety Solutions
• Set up “rummaging stations” with familiar work/ • Set up “rummaging stations” with familiar work/
Visit: http://bit.ly/19vEMBv, http://bit.ly/18xJRol and http://bit.ly/1cgQDRL to enroll in programs that help to locate a person with AD who has wandered.
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Real Stories
Bridget Scheidler, OTR/L Fox Occupational Therapist Fox Rehabilitation
Keith Lerner Family caregiverKeith Lerner Family caregiver
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Depth Perception, Balance and Coordination
Falls: "Ever since my mother fell, I cannot get the sight and
sound out of my head. I feel like I can’t turn my attention away or sleep for a second. Of course,
this is impossible...but I try anyway.”
- Family caregiver
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The Safety Challenge
Changes in the frontal lobe, occipital lobe and cerebellum in the brain can cause falls. Safety issues can include:
Some people with AD are often driven to move
Sources: http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0306454602 http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/know_your_brain.htm
Other people with AD become weak from not moving due to other health conditions
Falls can lead to fractures and head trauma
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The Emotional Side
People with Alzheimer’s Disease often feel...
Family/professional caregivers feel…
• Afraid of falling again• Embarrassed• Fear of shiny floors• Fear of walking causes isolation
• Afraid of another fall, frustrated with loved one• Exhausted – “can’t turn away for a second”
Family/professional caregivers feel…
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• Occupational therapy (OT)• Physical therapy (PT) • Yoga/tai chi • Staying active can improve balance, strength and mobility• Talk to your healthcare provider prior to starting a new activity
Adaptive equipment can improve balance
Home Safety Solutions
Visit the following links to learn more about reducing the risk of falling:• http://bit.ly/14NSqhI • http://1.usa.gov/1daFEKV • http://bit.ly/1daFGCK
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
"Muscles don't get dementia. They can still be strengthened to prevent falls due
to weakness."My Past Is Now My Future: A Practical
Guide to Dementia Possible Careby Lanny D. Butler, MS, OTR
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Real Stories
Bridget Scheidler, OTR/L Fox Occupational Therapist Fox Rehabilitation
Keith Lerner Family caregiverKeith Lerner Family caregiver
Vision, Judgement and Reflexes
Driving issues: “It was very difficult giving up things such as a car
when I’m still working…without my wife taking me to work in the morning and a driver taking me home in the afternoon, I would
be pretty much stuck in the house every day.”
- Person with AD, Voices of Alzheimer’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Association Town Hall Meeting
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
The Safety Challenge
Changes in the prefrontal cortex, frontal lobe, parietal lobe and occipital lobes of the brain can cause impaired…
Depthperception Judgement
Sources: http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0306454602 http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/know_your_brain.htm
Reflexes
Insight into driving issues/ need to stop driving
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The Safety Challenge
When is a person with AD unsafe to drive?
Driving and AD combine to create a unique, challenging dilemma for…
Family/professional caregivers feel…
• Law enforcement• Legislators• Driving testing centers
• People with AD• Family caregivers• Healthcare providers
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
The Emotional Side
People with Alzheimer’s Disease often feel...
Family/professional caregivers feel…
• Driving is key to independence• They are safe to drive• Aware of their issues, but reluctant to “give up the keys”
• Concern about safety• Guilt• Frustration when person with AD lacks insight• Want someone to own responsibility
• Concern about safety• Guilt• Frustration when person with AD lacks insight• Want someone to own responsibility
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Ask your healthcare provider about a comprehensive driving evaluation
Visit: http://bit.ly/17Q2fqy for a great guide to understanding and managing driving issues.
Home Safety Solutions
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Real Stories
Keith Lerner - Family caregiverKeith Lerner
AdvocacyHome SafetyCare Team
It is important to surround yourself with experts in the fields of AD and Home Safety
Your care team should include: • Home Care
• Geriatric Care Manager
• Adult Day Care
• Family Doctor/ Nurse Practitioner• Occupational
Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Visiting Nurse
• Advocacy and Support Groups
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Support Groups Can HelpThe most practical home safety strategies can be found through support groups.
Here are links that can help you to find support groups in your area:
• http://bit.ly/17f6UVU • http://bit.ly/143u1Pm
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Real Stories
Keith Lerner - Family caregiverKeith Lerner
Family/professional caregivers feel…
Symptoms vs. Behaviors
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We have avoided the term “behaviors” – This is intentional, because this term - although commonly used - alludes to intent or “misbehaving”. – When a person has chest pain due to heart disease, we use the term “symptom”. – When a person has shortness of breath due to lung disease, we use the term “symptom”. We should use the term symptom with Alzheimer’s Disease as well.
This will help to drive the empathy, patience, and accommodation that is key to care, support and quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their family/professional caregivers.
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Key Takeaways
Points to remember
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are caused by changes in the brain, and often create serious safety issues
It is important to surround yourself with experts and use proven home safety tools and approaches
There are things you can do to adapt the home setting to reduce the risk of safety issues and improve quality of life
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
Open Q&A
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© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
© 2013 Griswold International, LLC
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