Understanding Bed Rest Basics for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

If you have a loved one who is in the final stages of Alzheimer's and on bed rest, there are some basics you need to know.

What does bed rest mean? What can you do to help them during this time? How do you stick to a routine? Read on for answers to these questions and more. Knowing what to expect helps make this experience easier for everyone involved.

Understanding bed rest in the final stages of Alzheimer's

Bed rest may mean different things to different people, but in the context of Alzheimer's, it generally refers to the final stages of the illness.

Most people with Alzheimer's will eventually require some level of bed rest as they lose the ability to care for themselves. In the later stages of the disease, a loved one can become completely bedridden and may even lose the ability to communicate.

This is a difficult time for both your loved one and their caregiver(s). It is important to seek support from friends or family members during this time. There are also many resources available here or through local community organizations. These resources can help caregivers by providing information on comfort care and supplies for someone in the final stages of Alzheimer’s.

What can Alzheimer's caregivers do during bed rest?

The final stages of Alzheimer's can be difficult for both the person with the disease and their loved ones. Typically, at this stage, the person with Alzheimer's requires complete bed rest and close supervision.

Here are a few things you can do to help make this time a little easier:

• Ensure the person is comfortable and has everything they need within reach, such as a soft blanket, a fidget pillow, or a book.

Keep communication as positive as possible. Talk to your loved one about things they enjoy or memories from the past. Avoid bringing up stressful topics or discussions.

• Provide a calm and safe environment. Keep things simple by avoiding loud noises and sudden movements, and by speaking in soft tones.

Sticking to a routine during bed rest

When it comes to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, routine is always important. In the final stages of this disease, maintaining a regular schedule can help ease your loved one's discomfort and make them feel more at ease.

Here are a few tasks caregivers can perform daily:

• Gentle range-of-motion exercises
• Daily grooming (such as using a sponge toothbrush)
• Feeding or encouragement to eat (using supplements like Glucerna or Ensure)
• Assistance with hygiene (using diapers or incontinence pads)

It's also very important that you speak with your doctor about any concerns or activities you engage in and have during this time.

Making the bed rest experience a little easier for Alzheimer's patients and caregivers

Watching a loved one go through the final stages of Alzheimer's can be a heart-wrenching experience. Regardless of whether total bed rest is required, there are things you can do to make the experience a little easier for both of you.

We hope these bed rest Alzheimer's basics help you through this final stage. Would you like to talk to others in the Alzheimer's community about the end stages of the disease and managing bed rest? Reach out in our forums.