Contribution: Shenzhen Kangning Hospital geriatric psychiatric ward

The treatment and nursing of patients with Alzheimer's disease is a long process, how should we take care of them at home?

Functional exercise

Daily functional exercise can effectively delay the decline of brain function and reduce the probability of stroke.

l For patients with mild Alzheimer's disease: low intensity aerobic physical exercise, such as tai chi, walking, etc.

For patients with severe Alzheimer's disease: family members often accompany them, do not let them go out alone, can carry out some simple activities at home.

l For patients who cannot get out of bed: family members need to massage their limbs regularly to prevent joint stiffness, degeneration and muscle atrophy. Encourage their independent activities, such as frequent finger and limb activity, to prevent the function of the body decline.

Safe nursing

1. Environmental safety: The daily activity environment is spacious and bright, the aisle is free of obstacles, the ground is dry, and the bathroom is equipped with necessary handrails and non-slip MATS.

2. Item placement: Daily necessities should be placed in an eye-catching and fixed position, and dangerous items and appliances should be placed out of reach of patients, so that patients can stay away from power and fire sources.

3. Going out: Before going out, family members should assess whether the patient's physical condition is suitable to go out and whether the activity area is safe. When going out, family members can let patients wear cards with contact phone numbers and home address information to avoid inadvertence.

4. Other aspects: For patients in bed for a long time, the bedside should be fortified to avoid the occurrence of falling bed.

Psychological nursing

1. Improve communication

In order to prevent the patient's emotional instability and improper thoughts, family members should often communicate with the patient, understand the patient's psychological feelings, and eliminate negative psychological factors.

l For patients with strange behavior or even hallucinations, do not forcibly stop, do not ignore. You can use a peaceful tone to communicate with them, try to meet reasonable needs, and make the patient calm down.

l Actively communicate with patients in daily life, encourage them to watch TV, listen to the radio, read newspapers, and maintain a happy mood by flying kites and singing.

2. Be patient

For patients with a hot temper and easy to get angry, family members should remain patient and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

When patients are agitated, they should pay attention to comfort and dissuade, and certain coercive measures can be taken if necessary to avoid injury and destruction of objects.

Diet nursing

1. Prevent choking: Patients with Alzheimer's disease are prone to eating and swallowing difficulties due to brain impairment and decline in swallowing function. They should be provided with food that is easy to chew, swallow and at a suitable temperature to avoid choking.

2. Water intake: Ensure more than 1500ml of water per day, and avoid drinking too much water at night.

3. Balanced nutrition: eat more vegetables and fruits, eat less fat and fatty meat, spicy and stimulating food. Provide foods rich in protein, such as eggs, fish, milk, etc. Protein is the basis of intellectual activity.

 

 

(The views expressed are those of the author)