Alzheimer’s disease is a frustrating, cruel illness that can do more than lead to forgotten memories. One area you need to pay attention to is personal care. As the disease progresses, attention to personal care often slips away.
People with Alzheimer’s may forget to brush and floss the teeth. They may not understand why it’s important. Reminding them works for a while but that changes. Eventually, there will be times when you need to help your mom or dad with oral care.
These tips from caregivers in San Diego can help make the process a little easier to handle.
Get Oral Care Concerns Addressed as Early as Possible
Eventually, your parent will not cooperate at the dentist’s office. Agitation makes a visit difficult. There may come a point where it’s not worth the trip. Getting your parent out of the house and into the car and back out of the car and into the office won’t be easy.
Get dental issues addressed as early as possible. Take preventative measures like having bridges fixed, pulling a decaying tooth, or getting sealants over teeth in the early stages of the disease. It will be better addressed when there’s still some understanding of why these procedures are needed.
Keep Up With Brushing and Flossing
Brushing and flossing regularly will help prevent serious oral issues months or years from now. Invest in items that make oral care easier for your mom or dad, such as hand-held flossing picks, a water flosser, and an electric toothbrush. A toothpaste that protects the enamel and has enough fluoride is important.
Keep Toothpaste and Mouthwash Secure
The day may come when your mom starts using products inappropriately. Instead of finding her in pain because she used toothpaste as an eye cream, start securing those items in a locked cabinet. Take them out when she needs them and keep them locked away the rest of the time.
People with Alzheimer’s have been known to drink mouthwash thinking it was juice or water. Some have grabbed liquid cleaning products like glass cleaner thinking it is mouthwash because the colors are similar. They’ve been known to try to brush their teeth with hand-cream that comes in a tube rather than a bottle. Think of these situations and take precautions as needed.
When your mom or dad cannot manage oral care independently, talk to a home health care in San Diego, specialist. An elder care agency can walk you through the services and a schedule that best fits your parent’s needs with oral care and other aspects of grooming and personal care.
For more information about hiring home health care in San Diego, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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