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This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about Alzheimer’s disease and how to make life easier for patients and their caregivers. With the holiday season upon us, there’s something you can do to help if you have someone in your life who has Alzheimer’s disease. Both patients and caregivers appreciate visits.
Peggy Higgins, education director for the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says a visit can help lift spirits. It’s a good idea to call ahead, because surprise visits rarely produce good results. With the caregiver’s permission, bring some kind of project to engage the patient’s mind. Sorting projects, like buttons, fabric or family photos, help keep hands busy. That gives caregivers a bit of a break, too. Keep your visit to under an hour, and don’t limit your visits to the holiday season.
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November 2006
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