In addition to Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, someone who has this disease may have other health issues over time, as well as normal age-related issues. These medical issues can lead to further behavior changes and confusion. Your elderly loved one might not be able to describe what is wrong or why they are experiencing what they are. As a family caregiver, you should keep an eye out for signs that something is wrong with your elderly loved one, so you or a senior home care provider can take them to the doctor if need be.
Having a Fever
One of the medical issues that people with Alzheimer’s disease might have is a fever. Most of the time, a fever is classified as having a temperature of 2 degrees over the person’s normal temperature. There are many things that can cause fever such as:
Heat stroke
Dehydration
Infection
Constipation
If your elderly loved one has a fever that doesn’t go away, don’t hesitate to contact their doctor.
Flu/Pneumonia
The flu and pneumonia can spread quickly and easily from one person to the next. Unfortunately, people who have Alzheimer’s disease are much more likely to get the flu and/or pneumonia because they don’t understand they should stay away from those who are sick. They aren’t great with washing their hands or using hand sanitizer either. It would be a good idea for you or a senior home care provider to check with your elderly loved one’s doctor to see if they should get a flu shot or pneumonia vaccine.
Dehydration
There are far too many senior citizens who have Alzheimer’s disease and become dehydrated. The body needs to have so much water and fluids to continue functioning well. If your elderly loved one is not drinking enough water or other fluids, they can get sick from dehydration. Some of the signs of dehydration that you and home care providers should watch for in your elderly loved one include:
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Rapid heart rate
Hallucinations
If you notice these issues in your elderly loved one and they are caused by dehydration, getting your elderly loved one to drink more water should help to clear these issues up.
Constipation
Unfortunately, if your elderly loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, they likely won’t tell you if they are constipated. However, if you or a senior home care provider notice your elderly loved one isn’t using the bathroom often or they are struggling to go to the bathroom while trying to have a bowel movement, they could be constipated. If this is the case, you should get them to increase their water intake, exercise, and eat more high-fiber foods.
Conclusion
Do you have an elderly loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease? If so, there are many common medical issues that you may have to deal with for your elderly loved one. If you find that your elderly loved one has any of the symptoms or issues above, be sure to follow through with the solutions mentioned. If needed, you or a senior home care provider can take them to the doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency room, too.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Senior Home Care in Great Falls, VA, please contact the caring staff at Decena Home Care, LLC today. 571-508-7144
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-common-medical-problems
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