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Memory loss and confusion are the main symptoms of Alzheimer’s, but most families want to understand the early signs and other signs of this brain disease. If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing or are concerned about a loved one’s mental health, be sure to visit your family physician. We understand the difficulties one may face, and the need to protect your family with an early diagnosis.

Memory Loss

The most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Paying special attention to conditions that disrupt daily activities and leads to confusion. In the beginning, short-term memory loss would happen and is gradually replaced by long-term memory loss. For example, fail to keep track of personal objects, appointments, dates, and times.

Problem Solving Issues

Inability to solve problems, work with numbers, or follow plans can also indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease. In the early stage, one might have difficulty understanding multi-step issues and complexities. As a result, it might take them a long-time making to-do lists or calculating some basic math.

Object Misplacement

Individuals with Alzheimer’s usually leave their objects in strange places and have trouble retracing the steps. Typically items one might not use frequently or regularly and could possibly progress to daily objects such as cell phone or wallet. This forgetfulness sometimes leads to a lack of critical reasoning or pronounced irritability as to the place of the object. One might accuse other people of stealing their items when they cannot find them.

Speech Issues

Listen to any speech issues as people with Alzheimer’s tend to follow along or lose track of conversations that they are having with others. It can also be hard for them to mangle common phrases or words or repeat themselves. Watch out for strange, random pauses, using incorrect phrases, or slurring in conversation as well. Give a series of long words such as “scrupulous” or “incredibly” and ask them to repeat. If they have one of these signs, then it might indicate Alzheimer’s.

Social Withdraw

People often lose their interest in social activities, work, church, friendships, or hobbies. This might be caused by the troubles of their conditions or a blasé attitude to their interests. Be mindful that these changes should be assessed over time. You can ask them a few questions about the favorite team if they are a fan of sports. If you are not aware of these details, then it might be an obvious sign.

Confusion

Another common sign of Alzheimer’s is the confusion with place and time. These people often check their calendar or watch for the time and lose track of the current moments. Also, they might misjudge lengths of time or lose track of the current place. A simple way to check is by asking them what season or month it is. Sometimes, they might be able to figure it out but after 10 or 15 minutes.

Mood Changes

Alzheimer’s disease usually leads to sudden changes in their relationship with other people and mood. You should look out for any unusual expressions of anxiety, fear, depression, suspicion, anger, or confusion. Individuals might become upset more easily and have many issues with anxiety or depression. Also, they would be suspicious of surrounding people, even friends or family members. A simple way to differentiate this sign from that of other health issues is to pay special attention to how individuals behave when they come out of the comfort zone and are around some new people.

Poor Judgement

Another possible sign in people with Alzheimer’s disease is poor decision-making ability or judgment. For example, watch out for any occasion when they spend cash unwisely or give a large amount of money to telemarketers. In other words, they might be overly skeptical or over trusting of people, even when they are strangers. Also, individuals might have an unkempt look or poor hygiene, thus paying less attention to daily bathing or grooming. In addition, there are many other mistakes that they would make. That’s why it is important to have a plan in place for your loved one. Start exploring Memory Care options or in home care.

Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks

Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease usually find it more difficult to complete their daily tasks and make plans. For instance, they might have difficulty managing the budget, driving to their workplace, or remember their own birthday. It is also common for them to need frequent help working the TV or stove. Many people often mistake that this is a sign of aging. However, the condition might get worse quickly in Alzheimer’s patients if left untreated immediately.

Loss of Concentration

It is not uncommon for people with Alzheimer’s disease to have a shorter attention span. This can be noticed easily when they often ask some repetitive questions and resist changes. As a result, they might have difficulty thinking about everything logically and organizing their own thoughts. This lack of processing skills would be quite obvious in the inability to perform tasks such as forgetting a payment or balancing a checkbook. This is a good indicator that the individual might be appropriate for a Memory Care community.

Behavioral Changes

It’s possible that you might start to see many behavioral changes in those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. One of the earliest changes would be the loss of interest in surrounding life or those things that they once enjoyed. It might also lead to other symptoms such as unprovoked hostility, emotional outbursts, a lack of spontaneity, less energy, and more. Some individuals would experience a loss of inhibition that causes behavior such as making inappropriate comments or undressing in a public area.

Observing

People with mild Alzheimer’s disease tend to spend more time of the day observing everything around them. One might become more agitated and annoyed. This sign makes them easily get lost when walking around the neighborhood, even in familiar places. It can also occur at night and affect their sleep patterns, thus leading to insomnia. In most cases, it is quite easy to notice this sign as it is quite rare and does not occur in many health issues. Thus, visit your doctor as soon as it happens.

If you are needing assistance and support with memory loss, please do not hesitate to reach out to the New Haven team at (866) 259-3297.

 

New Haven Assisted Living and Memory Care of Tomball and Spring enjoyed new visitors at their window this last week. Enjoy the interview from ABC 13, Houston to see the joy and smiles from our residents.

Click HERE to see the video of the residents enjoying new visitors from therapy horses! 

Diamond Oak Stables, owned by Gretta Schieffer, volunteered to bring her horses to the New Haven communities to bring smiles to the residents.

COVID-19 has brought many challenges and many new “norms” for our residents, getting to socialize with these beautiful horses brought some laughter and joy into our home.

New Haven is going into the 6^th week of being COVID free within our 8 New Haven communities. New Haven’s immediate and rigorous plan of action responding to COVID-19 is the primary reason why there are zero infections. The health and wellbeing of our residents, families and staff are of utmost importance to us.

 

Stay updated on all news and daily activities by visiting our Facebook Page 

“Rae Martin, a licensed vocational nurse at New Haven Assisted Living in Spring said the facility has also been leaning on technology to help residents and families keep in touch.

“I email the families, a few times a week, at least every other day to keep them updated on new updates for the coronavirus and activities going on in the building,” Martin said. “I send them pictures; we pretty well keep in touch. It’s like a huge family here.”

However, should families need more than virtual conversations over video, Martin said families can also visit and see loved ones through residents’ windows.

Visit Here to see more about how we are getting creative for family visits!

 

UPDATES FOR CORONAVIRUS-19

Our New Haven management team is taking every action to stay connected with our residents and families as we continue to navigate the personal implications of COVID-19 per CDC guidelines. The health and wellbeing of our resident’s, families and staff members are of utmost importance to us. Below is a plan we have put together to ensure that your loved ones are being protected from COVID-19.

Summary of Changes per Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• Restricted all visitation except for certain compassionate care, such as end of life situations.
• Restricted all volunteers and non-essential healthcare personnel (HCP), including non-essential healthcare personnel.
• Canceled all group activities outside of the community and communal dining.
• Implemented active screening of residents and health care professionals for fever and respiratory symptoms.
• Employees with a temperature of 100.0 or greater will be sent home.
• Residents with a temp of 100.0 or greater will be quarantined to their room.

We are encouraging our physicians to use telemedicine to screen and treat our residents using technology networks to reduce the flow of non-core health care providers from entering into our facilities.

Healthcare providers such as Hospice and Home Health will have limited visits sufficient to allow the resident to stay on services. Hospice caregivers who provide baths for those residents will be allowed into the facility, but visits will be decreased. All outside healthcare providers will be required to complete the

COVID-19 symptom screening and will be required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) upon entering the facility.

 

Watch for symptoms:

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.^*

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Relying on the expertise of the CDC and local health officials across the country, we are committed to sharing information as soon as we have it to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents, employees and families. At the heart of our core values is you, and the New Haven management team who serve you.  We are here to support your needs and care for your loved one in every way possible.

We know this is a very difficult time for you as visits are restricted due to the CDC protocols and we will continue to go above and beyond to make every effort to allow you to visit with your loved one via Facetime or other sources of telecommunication. Our goal is to reduce the anxiety level of our residents due to the many changes and maintain our compassionate level of care.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Administrator or myself.

 

Tessa Wilson

Director of Clinical Care and Operations

tessa@newhavenassistedliving.com

 

 

New Haven has stopped all outside visitors at this time until further notice. All outside providers have been canceled as well unless an emergency otherwise medical visits will be via FaceTime or telecommunications! We understand this is an inconvenience for some but our priorities continue to be the residents. We also encourage taking your loved one out as little as possible. Thank you all for your understanding and helping us put your loved ones first if you have any questions or concerns I am available.

**Please share for your extended family and friends as well**

To our residents and family members:

As most of you are aware the Coronavirus Disease continues to spread within and outside of the United States. As an organization we continue to educate ourselves and our staff on the preparedness if at some point we suspect one of our residents, family members or staff may be infected with the disease. Please see below information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the steps we are required to take along with some information regarding the specifics of the disease.

COVID-19 is the abbreviated name for novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 that first emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.

Illness: COVID-19 illness may be mild to severe.  Symptoms may appear as soon as 2 days and as long as 14 days after exposure.  Symptoms include fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people who are infected may remain asymptomatic. Up to 80% of infected people recover without any need to seek care. Some will develop severe illness (typically in the second week of illness) and at present it is estimated that around 2% will die. Just as with influenza and other viral infections, older adults and patients with comorbid conditions are at increased risk for more severe illness.

Transmission: COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets between people who are in close contact with one another (about 6 feet).  While there is not yet evidence for spread from surfaces or objects (fomites), this may also be a possible mechanism of transmission.  At present, COVID-19 is not felt to be spread through airborne transmission such as seen with tuberculosis or measles.

 

INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

Who Should Be Evaluated As A Suspected Case: Currently, people returning from sites where there is ongoing person-to-person transmission of COVID-19, or who have been in close contact with individuals known to be infected with COVID-19 are at greatest risk for COVID-19.  Such individuals have been part of the CDC’s case definition used to determine when to evaluate individuals for COVID19.  On February 26, 2020, the CDC updated its guidance to also consider COVID-19 in individuals with fever and severe lower respiratory failure requiring hospitalization without an alternative diagnosis. The CDC may further expand guidance on who to test and under what circumstances.

• Our healthcare personnel will use the CDC definitions to guide whether an individual should be evaluated for COVID-19. • We will continue to monitor the CDC website regularly for updates to the case definition.

At present, given the rare presence of COVID-19 in the community, healthcare personnel suspecting a case of COVID-19 will contact their local and/or state public health department for guidance on management.

• At present and under an abundance of caution, per the CDC recommendation our healthcare employees at each facility will continue to use Standard Precautions, Contact Precautions, Airborne Precautions, and Eye Protection. This means wearing a gown, gloves, facemask, and goggles or a face shield if there is a suspected case in the facility • We will also continue frequent hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water • We have purchased an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant and will perform frequent daily cleaning of commonly touched environmental surfaces to decrease environmental contamination.

Since we do not have airborne isolation rooms (often called negative pressure rooms) we will follow the listed procedures below according to the CDC.

• If an individual meets the CDC case definition of a suspected case, we will place the individual in a single room with a closed door pending consultation with the local health department.

 

Reducing The Risk Of Introducing COVID-19 In Our Facilities:

Employees: Because healthcare personnel reside in the community and work in facilities, they have the potential to introduce infections into our Assisted Living populations. As with all situations, we have asked all of our healthcare personnel who are ill stay home and seek healthcare advice through their regular provider. Those with mild symptoms are encouraged to call, rather than coming to the community in person.

If there is evidence of community-wide COVID-19 illness, we will screen staff at entry into the facility for respiratory signs, symptoms and fever.

Visitors:  Like healthcare personnel, visitors may also inadvertently foster spread of infections in the Assisted Living setting. Given the unique nature of the Assisted Living setting, it will not likely be possible to prohibit all visitors in the event of community-wide COVID-19 illness. For example, individuals on hospice should be able to visit with family members who are not ill.

 

Consistent with good routine practice, as during flu season we post signs requesting that people with acute respiratory illness refrain from entering the facility. This applies whether or not there is COVID-19 activity in the community. We recommend individuals (regardless of illness presence) who have a known exposure to someone with a COVID-19, or who have recently traveled to areas with COVID-19 transmission, refrain from entering the facility.  If there is community-wide transmission of COVID-19, we will screen visitors at entry to the facility.

 

Planning: As part of our facility’s regular risk assessment, we have a developed plan to prepare for and respond to potential outbreaks and/or pandemics. The plans developed for pandemic influenza is the same model used in addressing the prevention and management of COVID-19.**  Key measures for this include:

• Calling our State and/or Local Health Department (for testing and guidance) • Social distancing, including suspending group activities including dining and other social events • Consistent staff, in which staff are assigned to the same building on a consistent basis • Daily temperature checks and symptom monitoring for residents and staff • Furlough for staff with respiratory symptoms • Having a plan to bring in temporary staff, perhaps through an agency, when there is insufficient staffing due to illness or increased burden of care.

 

The length of time during which infected individuals shed virus is not yet known.  As symptoms improve, the amount of virus shed by infected individuals should decrease.  Based on COVID-19 in Assisted Living Settings

Experience with similar viruses, people with severe illness will shed more virus and for a longer period of time than those with mild COVID-19 infection.  People with severe illness may continue to shed virus even 12 days after symptom onset.  The decision of when people no longer require isolation precautions will be made on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with our public health officials. Such a decision will take into account the severity of the illness, comorbid conditions, resolution of fever, and clinical status of the resident.

If you have any further questions regarding New Havens plan of action for the Coronavirus Disease,  please do not hesitate to speak with your administrator or feel free to contact me directly.

 

Tessa Wilson

Cell: 325-227-0535

Director of Operations and Clinical