Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease of the brain with progressive loss of the brain’s nerve cells over time. This results in dementia, a decline in thought processes, as well as a decline in the individual’s ability to function and care for themselves.

While no one is really sure what causes Alzheimer’s disease, we do know that there is no cure. There are many medications on the market that allege to be able to slow the progression of the disease, but research is limited. Furthermore,  there is some concern that many of the dementia medications may actually be contradicted for patients in the later stages of the disease by actually causing more harm than good. 

Being a caregiver for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease in other brain-related impairments, such as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is no easy feat. Many caregivers express frustration with behavioral changes, changes in appetite, and alterations in mobility as the patient’s disease progresses. The team at ProCare, hospice of Nevada is here to help. Caregivers find tools to provide better care and develop a better understanding of the disease and its processes.

Alzheimer’s disease and other progressive dementias are life-altering. There is no cure and they are eventually fatal. Patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s may be eligible for hospice care is when they show all of the following characteristics:

• Unable to ambulate without assistance 

• Unable to dress without assistance 

• Unable to bathe properly 

• Incontinence of bowel and bladder 

• Unable to speak or communicate meaningfully 

To determine if you or a loved one may be eligible for hospice, talk with your physician.