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Six Oral Health Tips for Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

Lots of tasks that seniors handled for years on their own become a lot more difficult once they’re battling Alzheimer’s disease. Oral care is just one example.
Alzheimer's home care supports safe, consistent daily oral hygiene routines

Maintaining oral health is just one of the massive challenges that Alzheimer’s patients have to cope with as their health worsens. They might forget or resist routine oral care tasks, which can be difficult for family caregivers to manage on their own. Alzheimer’s home care providers can offer the support families need to help keep oral hygiene consistent and manageable for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Establish Simple Routines

Complicated routines are really difficult for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to maintain. It’s better to establish simple, predictable routines. This makes brushing teeth or caring for dentures feel more familiar and less confusing.

Alzheimer’s home care providers can help families figure out which routines are most helpful for seniors with Alzheimer’s. The right routines become familiar for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, reducing confusion and resistance.

 

Choose Tools That Are Easy to Use

Part of the frustration seniors with Alzheimer’s disease have around tasks like oral health can sometimes result from using tools that are difficult or uncomfortable for them. Adaptive toothbrushes and other oral care tools make brushing easier for seniors.

Alzheimer’s home care providers can help families find the right tools for their loved one’s needs.

 

Offer Gentle Guidance

Simple instructions and gentle cues can help seniors with Alzheimer’s disease follow along and continue brushing their teeth or following other steps in their routines. Rushing or offering multiple instructions at once makes it tougher for Alzheimer’s patients to follow.

Alzheimer’s home care providers who have experience with Alzheimer’s disease can help families learn how best to offer gentle support.

 

Watch for Signs of Discomfort

Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease might express their pain differently than they did in the past. They might not have the same pain tolerance that they had before their Alzheimer’s diagnosis, too.

Watching for signs of pain or discomfort is an important part of the process of taking care of oral health. Alzheimer’s home care providers understand what to watch for and how to help seniors stay comfortable.

 

Reduce Anxiety About Dental Care

Even though they’ve brushed their teeth all of their lives, seniors with Alzheimer’s disease might suddenly find the process upsetting or even distressing.

Alzheimer’s home care providers understand the different ways that anxiety can create problems for Alzheimer’s patients. They can help seniors stay calm during these routines, helping them stay comfortable and feel safe.

 

Schedule Regular Dental Visits

Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease may not be able to share with family caregivers when they have new tooth or gum pain. Regular dental visits are more important than ever, so problems are noticed quickly, and seniors don’t have to live with pain.

Alzheimer’s home care providers can help aging adults get to these appointments, offering comfort and reducing anxiety during appointments.

 

Oral health is a huge part of overall wellness, but Alzheimer’s disease can make it more challenging for seniors. Alzheimer’s home care providers can help families establish the right routines while learning how to offer consistent, compassionate care to the seniors they love.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Huntington Beach, CA, please contact the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)

Canaan Home Care Staff

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