When to Stop Treatment for Advanced Dementia Patients

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities

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Deciding when your loved one with dementia is ready to die is difficult. Letting go is a challenge. Understanding what advanced dementia is and preparing for it go a long way in dealing with this hard process. Grieving for your loss is necessary and will bring meaning, healing and wholeness back into your life.

Advanced Dementia
In the last stage of dementia, people lose the ability to react to their surroundings, the power to speak and at the very end the ability to move. Often those affected are unable to understand the meaning of words and the ability to speak except for occasional words that make no sense. These folks need assistance with eating and may not have the ability to recognize or swallow food. They cannot control their bowels or bladder. People with advanced dementia lose the ability to sit without support. They cannot smile or hold up their head. Their reflexes become abnormal and their muscles grow stiff. They may be in pain but cannot express it.

Prepare Early
There are many things you can do to prepare for the time to stop treatment. When your loved one still has the capacity to make his wishes known, make sure he picks the person to make health care decisions when he can't. In other words, execute a health care proxy. Second, be certain he makes known the kind of medical treatment he wants or does not want. Third, get all finances in order, seeking financial and legal advice while your loved one is able to participate in the process. Doing these things makes everything easier.

Care Options
If you are choosing to care for the person with advanced dementia at home, understand that the process is going to become increasingly difficult, Physical needs and the 24-hour care requirements of the final stages of caring often prompts outside help. If, as a caregiver, you want to keep your loved one at home, make sure you have the stamina, space and support from others to do so. You may choose to place your loved on in a skilled nursing facility. You can be there as many hours a day as you want. You have the option to take a break if you need to. You can still direct the care of your loved one without the physical burden to yourself. Many resources are available to help you with placement and service options. Contact your local area Alzheimer's Association for help.

Manage Pain
Managing pain and discomfort necessitates daily observance and re-evaluation of not-so-obvious nonverbal indicators. Especially after a dramatic decline, you may choose to discontinue all other medical interventions and focus on soothing and calming care for the discomfort and symptoms related to dying. Small behavioral changes often indicate unmet needs. Keeping a journal may help you keep track of this. The soothing comfort of massage, touch, music, pleasant smells and your loving voice can also reduce pain. Try different techniques and watch your loved one's response.

Hospice Care
Hospice care concentrates on the management of pain and the comfort of your loved one at the end of life. Hospice is available anywhere, including a nursing home. Hospice offers family support during and after the dying process. Stop hospice care at any time if you so choose.

Family Issues
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How Long Do Most Patients Live in the Severe Alzheimer's Wing?

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities

eHow

Many people with late-stage Alzheimer's disease live in the severe Alzheimer's wing of a long-term care facility. They live there from several weeks to several years, depending on the reasons for their decline to this stage of the disease. Maintaining dignity and comfort for them is key.

Severe Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease, a brain disorder, robs people of their memory, thinking skills and normal behavior. People with severe Alzheimer's disease lose the ability to respond to their surroundings. Often they don't recognize what is being said to them or how to say things to other people. They need help eating and using the bathroom. Eventually they cannot swallow and have no control of their bladder or bowels. Many lose the ability to walk by themselves. In time, sitting is difficult without support. Their reflexes become abnormal, and their muscles grow rigid.

Preventing Skin Breakdown
Because people with severe Alzheimer's disease often become bedridden or chair-bound, their lack of movement causes skin breakdown and rigid joints. Staff on the severe Alzheimer's wing relieve body pressure by changing their position every two hours and providing them with special cushions and pillows.

Eating and Drinking
People with severe Alzheimer's disease often develop trouble swallowing, which can lead to pneumonia and even death. Staff on a severe Alzheimer's wing have to be alert for this.

Hospice Care
A person with severe Alzheimer's disease requires 24-hour care. Many caregivers choose hospice. A hospice facility provides, care, comfort and support services for people with terminal illnesses and their families. People with severe Alzheimer's symptoms qualify for hospice benefits under Medicare if a doctor determines that they have less than six months to live. Contact a local hospice group for more information.

End of Life
Try to make sure.....read all of Live in the Severe Alzheimer's Wing