Neurology Long Term Care and Monitoring

Learn about long term neurology care, disease management, and continuous monitoring supported by Liv Hospital teams.

Neurology Long-Term Care

Learn about long term neurology care, disease management, and continuous monitoring supported by Liv Hospital teams.

Long-Term Care for Alzheimer’s Disease focuses on cognitive wellness and prevention strategies, managing lifestyle factors, and maximizing the patient’s independence and safety.

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Alzheimer's Disease: LONG-TERM CARE

Lifestyle Changes That Reduce Risk

In Alzheimer’s Disease, long-term care focuses on secondary prevention reducing the risks of disease complications and slowing functional decline. Lifestyle changes are critical because factors that damage the heart also damage the brain. Managing these risks preserves remaining cognitive function.

Aggressive management of vascular health and maintaining a stimulating environment are key priorities.

Vascular Health Management: Maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels is the best defense against concurrent vascular dementia.
Cognitive Stimulation: Engaging in continuous learning, reading, puzzles, and social interaction builds “cognitive reserve,” helping the brain cope longer with disease damage.
Sleep Hygiene: Ensuring adequate, restful sleep is vital, as poor sleep is linked to reduced clearance of amyloid proteins from the brain.

Nutrition and Diet for Cognitive Health

Nutrition recommendations for Alzheimer’s Disease support brain health by focusing on a diet rich in protective nutrients. The recommended approach is based on the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) principles, often called the MIND Diet.

Proper diet helps manage vascular risks and ensures sufficient calories as the disease progresses.

Focus on Green Vegetables and Berries: These foods contain antioxidants that protect brain cells from damage caused by chronic inflammation.
Healthy Fats: Prioritize healthy fats from fish, nuts, olive oil, and seeds, which support cell membrane health in the brain.
Limit Red Meat and Sweets: Reducing intake of processed foods, red meats, and sweets is recommended to manage cardiovascular risks.

Exercise Guidelines for Health

Exercise programs and activity levels are crucial components of long-term Alzheimer’s care.

Here are five key points explaining the role and types of exercise:

Direct Brain Benefits: Physical activity directly benefits the brain by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation.
Aids in Fall Prevention: Exercise addresses the risk of falls, which is a major complication often seen in later-stage dementia.
Primary Goal: The overarching goal of the exercise program is to maintain mobility, balance, and mood for as long as possible.
Aerobic Activity: Regular aerobic activities like walking, swimming, or light cycling are recommended because they improve cardiovascular function, which in turn aids brain health.
Strength and Balance Focus: Simple exercises concentrating on balance and posture are important as they help prevent falls and maintain the ability to perform crucial daily tasks, such as standing up.

Stress Management Techniques

Stress management techniques are essential for both the patient and the primary caregiver. The chronic nature of Alzheimer’s Disease leads to high levels of emotional and physical exhaustion for the entire family unit.

Proactive psychological and emotional support is critical to maintaining the quality of life for both parties.

Patient Support: Techniques include validation therapy and maintaining a structured routine to reduce anxiety and agitation.
Caregiver Support: Specialized counseling, respite care, and support groups are vital tools for managing caregiver burden and preventing burnout.
Palliative Care Integration: Early consultation with palliative care specialists ensures patient comfort, pain management, and proactive end-of-life planning.

Preventing Complications

Secondary prevention for Alzheimer’s Disease focuses on anticipating and preventing common complications that lead to hospitalization or death. This proactive approach significantly enhances safety and longevity.

Anticipating these risks ensures the patient remains safe at home for as long as possible.

Fall Prevention: Implementing home modifications (grab bars, removing rugs) and managing medications that cause dizziness.
Wandering Management: Using secure locks, identity bracelets, and tracking devices to prevent the patient from getting lost or injured outside the home.
Infection Management: Vigilant monitoring for subtle signs of infection (like delirium) and ensuring excellent oral hygiene to prevent aspiration pneumonia.

Management of Environmental Risks

As cognitive function declines, the management of environmental risk factors becomes the primary safety strategy. The patient’s home must adapt to their diminishing abilities to prevent self-harm and injury.

Simple modifications are highly effective safety interventions.

Home Safety Audit: Conducting a professional review of the home to identify and remove all potential hazards, such as sharp objects, unsecured tools, and toxins.
Simplification: Using simplified living spaces with clear signage and limited clutter helps reduce confusion and anxiety for the patient.

When to Schedule Regular Screenings

Regular checkup and screening recommendations are crucial for monitoring disease velocity and adjusting treatments. Monitoring also focuses on the overall health of the caregiver.

Appointments are frequent to ensure the care plan evolves with the disease.

Cognitive Reassessment: Routine cognitive tests (every 3–6 months) track the rate of decline and confirm the effectiveness of medication.
Functional Assessment: Regularly assessing the patient’s ability to perform daily tasks to determine the appropriate need for mobility aids and supervision.
Caregiver Wellness Check: The clinic routinely assesses the caregiver’s health and stress levels to ensure the care unit remains functional and healthy.

Multidisciplinary Long-Term Care at LIV Hospital

LIV Hospital’s commitment to Alzheimer’s Disease Long-Term Care is rooted in the Multidisciplinary Team (MDC) approach. This model ensures every patient benefits from the coordinated expertise necessary to manage a complex, progressive illness. The diagram illustrating patient care shows that specialists, nurses, and family collaborate.

Our integrated system optimizes Wellness and Prevention by covering medical, behavioral, and social needs.

Integrated Specialists: Neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, and geriatricians work as one team to manage cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
Social Support: Social workers assist with navigating complex insurance, legal, and long-term placement decisions.
Rehabilitation Support: Access to physical and occupational therapists helps maintain mobility and home safety.

Multidisciplinary Long-Term Care at LIV Hospital

Our integrated system optimizes Wellness and Prevention by covering medical, behavioral, and social needs.

Integrated Specialists: Neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, and geriatricians work as one team to manage cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
Social Support: Social workers assist with navigating complex insurance, legal, and long-term placement decisions.

Rehabilitation Support: Access to physical and occupational therapists helps maintain mobility and home safety.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I prevent the progression of Alzheimer's Disease?

While the disease is progressive, you can slow the decline by aggressively managing vascular health (blood pressure, diabetes), maintaining a heart-healthy diet and exercise regimen, and engaging in continuous social and cognitive activities.

What diet is best for cognitive health?

The MIND Diet (Mediterranean-DASH principles) is highly recommended. This diet emphasizes green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil while limiting red meat and processed sweets.

How much exercise do I need for health?

Patients should aim for daily low-impact exercise, such as walking or light cycling, as approved by their doctor. Exercise helps maintain balance, strength, and cardiovascular health, which benefits the brain.

Can stress cause cognitive decline?

Chronic stress and depression are linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline. Managing stress through counseling, routine, and relaxation techniques is a key component of wellness for both the patient and the caregiver.

What lifestyle changes reduce the risk of complications?

Key changes include environmental risk management (removing trip hazards), maintaining high caloric intake (to prevent frailty), and ensuring continuous supervision to prevent accidents like wandering or medication misuse.