Giving dementia caregivers
a helping hand
At first, it was misplaced car keys, a repeated statement or an occasional forgotten name.
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About three years ago, Scott Haas of
Millersville noticed his mother, Lois Haas,
was exhibiting signs of dementia, and had
her tested by the Lancaster General Memory
Disorders Program. Since then, Scott and
his family have spent nearly every day
caring for her. |
But gradually, Scott Haas of Millersville noticed his mother’s forgetfulness grew more frequent—and more problematic.
“She started misplacing important financial paperwork,” Scott says. “I was finding bills tucked away in unusual places—shoeboxes, clothing drawers—not in the place where she’d always kept them. I was getting worried.”
Scott took his mother to the Lancaster General Memory Disorders Program, where testing revealed the cause—his mother was suffering from a form of dementia, a gradual degeneration of memory skills.
“Seventy percent of people with dementia aren’t aware of any problem,” says Paul Kettl, MD, of Lancaster General Psychiatric Associates, a member of Lancaster General Medical Group. “Usually it’s a family member that notices the signs and brings the person in for an evaluation.”
Because deterioration is gradual, most patients have had the disease for about two years before a diagnosis is made. Dr. Kettl says family members who suspect a loved one may be experiencing the onset of dementia should look for three common signs:
- recurring memory problems
- speech difficulties, and
- noticeable personality changes.
“When these problems are no longer isolated events, but are persistent problems, it’s a good idea to visit a family physician and ask about a referral to the Memory Disorders Program,” says Edward Purzycki, PhD, of Lancaster General Behavioral Medicine.
The sooner doctors can identify the specific memory disorder, the more effective treatment and medication can be in slowing the progression of the disease, he says. “We will discuss the implications of the disease, and more importantly, what the family can do to help,” Dr. Purzycki says. “We talk about good nutrition, exercise, strategies to compensate for memory loss and ways to minimize patient and caregiver stress in order to maintain the patient’s level of functioning for as long as possible.”
Scott has spent nearly every day over the past three years caring for his mother, Lois Haas, now 78. He makes sure she has groceries, that her bills are paid, that her home is safe, and that she is taking care of herself.
“She is dependent upon me to take care of everything,” Scott says. “I make sure every one of her needs is met. In many ways, it’s like raising another child. It takes a lot of patience and effort.”
Scott and his wife, Kathy, nurse manager of the Supplemental Staff at Lancaster General Hospital, have sacrificed a lot to make sure his mother is well cared for and able to stay in her home. “We haven’t been on vacation for awhile,” he says.
That can put a lot of stress on caregivers, as they face changes in their loved one’s condition. “Many struggle with issues like convincing their loved one that it is not safe for them to drive,” says Kenneth Brubaker, MD, of Geriatric Associates, a Lancaster General physician practice.
To meet the growing need to support caregivers of patients not residing in retirement and nursing facilities throughout the county, Lancaster General has started a free monthly Memory Loss Community Group, a
support group for caregivers.
“Families struggle so much with these issues, and we want to help them get through all of the phases of dementia,” says Phyllis Wojtusik, Clinical Manager, Geriatric Associates. “Their first need is always information and answers to their questions—how to preserve their memories, prolong independence, deal with health issues, and determine if it’s the right time to consider a care facility.”
The group meets on the second Monday of every month at the Health Campus, third floor conference room. For more information, call (800) 341-2121.
In addition, Lancaster General is sponsoring a series of free Focus on Health programs dealing with specific issues related to dementia. For more information or to register for one or more of
these programs, call (800) 341-2121 or click here to register online.
Today, Scott says he is the only person his mother recognizes with any consistency. He and his mother often look through photo albums and he reintroduces her to important people in her life.
“It’s a shame to watch someone you love fade away like that,” Scott says. “Physically, she’s very healthy, but she has trouble with mental issues. She is very conscious of her situation, so she rarely leaves her house.”
For dementia patients, structure and maintaining a daily routine are important, Dr. Brubaker says. For Lois, she cleans her entire house every day.
“My mom had a very interesting and full life,” Scott says. “She loves to dance, and still makes people do the polka when she gets the chance. She liked having a good time. And actually, she
is happy.”
There are many forms of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease the most common and recognized form. Stroke is the second leading cause of dementia.
While there are medications that can slow the progression of dementia, there is no cure. “Our emphasis is on care, making sure that the person is in safe surroundings,” Dr. Kettl says.
Many dementia patients require assisted or nursing care, but that is not always the case. It’s important to try and look about six months ahead when caring for a person with dementia.
“You never know what’s going to happen, so even if a person is functioning fine at home it’s always good to plan ahead,” Dr. Kettl says. “These decisions are best not made on the spur of the moment.”
For information about dementia screening, contact the Memory Disorders Program at 544-3170.
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