ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA CAREGIVING: 7 SIGNS IT’S TIME FOR EXTRA SUPPORT

When to gain support for Alzheimer’s caregiving is a personal decision and different for every family. Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is becoming more common with more than 6 million people living with Alzheimer’s in the United States. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 in 3 seniors will die with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

Though Alzheimer’s is often considered a lonely disease, no one lives it alone because it affects everyone who loves the person with Alzheimer’s. The family caregiver caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s may live the biggest emotional and physical toll. This devastating disease is hugely emotional for family caregivers. Caregivers often watch the person they love slowly slip away while dealing with uncharacteristic personality traits like fear, anger, emotional outbursts and paranoia. They lose their loved one long before their passing.

CAREGIVING AND THE STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S

In the very early stages of Alzheimer’s you and your loved one may notice only very minor decline, like forgetting where they left objects or forgetting words. During these stages the disease is not interfering with their ability to work, care for themselves and live independently.

In the middle stages of Alzheimer's, caring for a loved one may be manageable with less support. During these stages problems in thinking and reasoning are becoming more obvious, and new issues begin to appear.

But Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease where symptoms get much worse over time. As your loved one’s disease progresses into late-stage Alzheimer’s it will become more challenging to manage their needs, ensure their comfort and protect your own well-being without extra support. Understanding when to seek an extra layer of support can help you ensure your ability to continue to provide the best care possible for your loved one. Here’s 7 signs it’s time for extra support.

7 SIGNS IT’S TIME FOR EXTRA SUPPORT WHEN CARING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH ALZHEIMER’S

CONVERSATIONS. Your loved one is unable to speak or communicate meaningfully. Later-stage Alzheimer’s patients are often unable to communicate pain or discomfort making it difficult for family caregivers to ensure their well-being.
SELF-CARE. Your loved one is no longer able to provide for their own care and needs your help bathing, grooming, getting dressed.
MOBILITY. Your loved one is unable to walk without your assistance or is bed bound.
DIET. Your loved one has trouble swallowing and needs a pureed diet.
WEIGHT. You have noticed continued weight loss.
BEHAVIOR. Your loved one’s behavior is becoming more challenging. They’re showing signs of severe anxiety. They seem depressed and more angry.
CAREGIVING. You’re beyond your limits as a caregiver and feel your loved one needs more support than you are capable of providing.

GETTING HELP AND ACCEPTING HELP

Many caregivers feel it’s their responsibility to provide all the care their loved ones require. It’s a role so many of us enter willingly, out of love and with the best intentions. It’s difficult to share the care they need, to allow someone else to help without feeling a sense of failure or even guilt. But no one has the ability to cope with end-stage Alzheimer’s without expert support. You don’t have to try to be superhuman to fulfill your role as a caregiver. The best you can do, for them and for yourself, is do the best you can do and seek and accept professional support when needed.

Ascend Health offers specialized care for those living with end-stage Alzheimer’s. Our supportive team focuses on improving quality of life and easing the distressing burdens of Alzheimer’s. Learn more about how we can help bring comfort and support by reaching out to a member of our compassionate team.

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Coping With Dementia: 10 steps to gain more cooperation with simple tasks

August 28, 2025

How can we increase the level of cooperation we get from a loved one coping with dementia? A loved one with dementia may resist simple routines that we, as caregivers, need for them to complete so they can maintain proper hygiene or enable us to run a household. It may be a simple task, like taking a shower or getting dressed - or brushing their teeth before they go to bed. A good way to start is to recognize that we are about to face a challenge . Like any challenge we face, it’s best to get ready before we begin. Be prepared! Gather everything that will be needed to complete the task and arrange those things in the order that they’ll be needed. Be sure to have everything at hand that will be needed when the task is completed. For instance, are we brushing our teeth in the morning? Have the bathing set up as the next task or be ready to dress and go to the dining table. Have patience, remember that this will take longer than normal. Budgeting more time will reduce your own stress, and that is key in reducing theirs. Remember, they are cognitively disabled . It’s frequently not that they’re resisting your instructions, it’s simply that they are having difficulty processing them - it will take them longer to understand and cooperate than normal. One of our biggest goals is to avoid making them feel pressured, rushed or agitated . Maintaining this level of structure will be comforting to your loved one and will decrease confusion and stress. It will also reduce distractions that might be inadvertently introduced by being less than organized. We may be doing something simple, but it’s no longer simple to a loved one suffering from dementia. Have you ever assembled a piece of furniture from IKEA? Keep that in mind – you needed step by step instructions. Did they always make sense as you progressed? Nope. Did you ever get frustrated? You bet. This is the same thing. Give them simple steps, one step at a time . Think from a new perspective. “Let’s go brush our teeth,” doesn’t really lead them to beginning or completion. How about: 1 - let’s go to the bathroom 2 - can you stand in front of the sink? 3 - let’s rinse your toothbrush - we need to make sure it’s clean! 4 - perhaps try doing your own side by side as an example 5 - can you open the toothpaste now? 6 - squeeze a line of toothpaste onto your brush, like this, see? 7 - now, put the toothbrush into your mouth, brush like I’m doing 8 - top now - left side, center, now on the right - inside, like this 9 - bottom now - left side, center, now on the right - inside, like this 10 - now, we’re almost done. Take your brush and rinse it 11 - put the brush back into the holder 12 - put some water in the cup 13 - now just rinse your mouth 14 - spit the water back into the sink Try to let them do as much on their own as possible. It will build confidence and reduce their stress, step in and help as needed. You’ll see for yourself how deeply you need to break down tasks and learn from their responses when to help, praise or comfort. Try not to take over and do steps for them when they may be able to complete the step themselves. If they are able, that may convey impatience. We’re trying to encourage a sense of competency and autonomy - even if a step is not taken perfectly. To learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease follow these links. 1 - https://www.ascendhealth.com/coping-with-alzheimers-anxiety-and-depression 2 - https://www.ascendhealth.com/alzheimers-caregiving-7-signs-its-time-for-extra-support 3 - creating dementia-friendly documents https://bit.ly/3H9g6WD Our teams offer specialized care for those living with end-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s. Our supportive team focuses on improving quality of life and easing the distressing burdens of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Learn more about how we can help bring comfort and support by reaching out to a member of our compassionate team.

Gene Hackman’s Final Lesson: A Wake-Up Call for Caregivers and Families

June 30, 2025

A few months ago, beloved actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their New Mexico home. Investigators believe Arakawa passed away first—possibly up to a week before Hackman. Shortly before her death, she had reached out to a local clinic . Later, Hackman’s pacemaker data helped confirm the timeline of his own passing. The medical examiner determined that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome , a rare and dangerous respiratory illness transmitted by rodents. Hackman died from advanced heart disease , with Alzheimer’s disease contributing to his decline. Experts suggest that his cognitive impairment likely prevented him from recognizing Arakawa’s death—or, if he did realize it, he may have experienced confusion, heartbreak, and helplessness before ultimately passing away himself. We may consider Gene Hackman’s last role to be his final lesson, a wake-up call for caregivers and families. It’s a profoundly tragic story—one that reflects a reality many families quietly face. As our loved ones age, especially when one becomes the caregiver, a sudden health crisis can leave the other stranded in a dangerous situation. What Can We Learn? This heartbreaking story offers more than grief—it offers perspective. It’s a reminder to be proactive, observant, and involved in the lives of aging loved ones. Here’s ways we can help. 1. Know the Conditions Affecting Your Loved Ones In Hackman’s case, the central health challenges were heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Recognizing the signs of heart trouble—chest pain, fatigue, breathlessness—and understanding how dementia can mask or confuse those symptoms is critical. 2. Caregivers Need Care Too When the caregiver goes down, the one who relies on them is suddenly exposed. Arakawa’s sudden illness likely left Hackman alone, disoriented, and unable to seek help. Caregivers often suffer in silence, pushing past their limits. Regular check-ins and support for them are just as essential. 3. A Simple Visit Can Save a Life A timely visit from a friend or relative might have changed the outcome. Subtle signs—rodent activity, spoiled food, confusion, hygiene issues—could have triggered help before it was too late. Don’t underestimate the power of simply showing up. What to Watch For: A Family Checklist If you have aging parents, relatives, or friends, here are some key areas to keep an eye on: Physical Health • Sudden weight loss or gain • Bruises, burns, or signs of falls • Unkempt appearance or body odor • Difficulty walking or standing Cognitive & Emotional Well-being • Memory loss or repeating questions • Depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal • Unsafe behavior such as leaving appliances on • Unusual mail or phone activity Home Conditions • Spoiled food, pest presence, or clutter • Safety hazards (dim lighting, loose rugs) • Appliances or plumbing not working Nutrition & Kitchen Safety • Expired food or low food supply • Dirty or neglected kitchen tools • Avoiding cooking altogether Medication Compliance • Confused about medications or missed doses • Expired or improperly labeled prescriptions Social Interaction • Isolation or reluctance to leave the house • Loss of interest in hobbies or community involvement Financial Awareness • Unpaid bills or unopened mail • Signs of financial exploitation or scams Tech & Communication • Can they use a phone in an emergency? • Are they responsive to calls or messages? What To Do If You Notice a Problem If you see red flags, don’t panic—but don’t ignore them either. Start with an honest, caring conversation. Explain that your concern comes from love, not judgment. Then, consider next steps: • Schedule a check-up with their doctor • Bring in help, even part-time support • Assess whether the home needs modifications • Explore new living arrangements if necessary Whether it’s weekly dinners, video chats, or simple texts—stay involved–consistent contact keeps you in tune with your loved ones’ needs and builds a safety net they may not even know they need. Final Thought If Gene Hackman’s last role is to serve as a final lesson, it’s a wake-up call for caregivers and families. Gene Hackman’s final days are a sobering reminder: Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Aging can be beautiful—but it also comes with risk, especially in solitude. Let this story motivate you to reconnect, check in, and truly see how your loved ones are doing. Additional Resources: Learn more about Congestive Heart Failure: https://www.ascendhealth.com/caring-for-a-loved-one-with-chf-this-summer https://www.ascendhealth.com/caring-for-a-loved-one-with-chf Learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: https://www.ascendhealth.com/alzheimers-caregiving-7-signs-its-time-for-extra-support https://www.ascendhealth.com/coping-with-alzheimers-anxiety-and-depression Need a health or safety assessment for a loved one? Contact Us or call today.