September is World Alzheimer’s Month, which is observed throughout the world. Did you know that the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease is expected to increase another 15.8 percent by 2025? In West Virginia, more than 37,000 people live with Alzheimer’s, and over 107,000 family and friends are providing care for them, according to the WV Chapter of Alzheimer’s.
WV Caring believes it is essential to educate West Virginians on this devastating disease and its progression through its stages. As the disease progresses, so will the demands of the family and caregivers.
WV Caring can provide care for individuals who are in the final stage of Alzheimer’s. During this last phase, the disease is severe, and the patient’s symptoms can include:
- Complete loss of the ability to communicate
- Total loss of physical skills
- Increase of infections
- Loss of ability to control movements
- No control over bowel and bladder function
- Need full-time daily assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, etc.
The last stage of Alzheimer’s disease can last from several weeks to several years. During this time, patients will need 24/7 assistance with their care.
ALZHEIMER’S | HOW WV CARING CAN HELP
For decades, WV Caring has helped thousands of patients and families transition through life-limiting illnesses, including Alzheimer’s. Our goal is for our patients, and their family is to spend valuable time together through the final stage of their journey. WV Caring offers services to wherever they call home: private residences, assisted living facilities, nursing homes or hospitals. To view the Hospice Medicare Benefit booklet, click here. The Hospice Medicare Benefit is 100% covered under Medicare and Medicaid.
Medical care can consist of nurses, physicians and clinical nursing aides. Other advantages of hospice care are:
- Pain and symptom management to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible so that their quality of life is not affected
- Medical equipment, medications and supplies related to the illness
- Trained volunteers to provide emotional support, transportation and respite care
- Social workers help patients and their families deal with emotional and financial difficulties
- Spiritual care for the patient and their family members to provide comfort and spiritual support
- Bereavement support for the patient’s loved ones for 12 months following the death
WV Caring has our Inpatient Hospice Center for patients who need more care than can be managed at home. The goal is to get the patient’s symptoms under control and be well enough to go home. This can usually range from three to five days. If the caregiver needs a break, the patient can stay at the Hospice Center for up to five days on respite.
Talk with a member of our staff today by calling us at 1-866-656-9790.