My father, 88 years old, of Belgian nationality, living in Tokyo for more than 50 years has Alzheimer’s disease. He currently speaks a lot, but speaks a language of his own that nobody understands. However, he expects we understand him. His ability to understand us is diminishing day by day. You may have to repeat the same question several times until he gets it.
If we leave him alone for too long, he would start hearing and seeing hallucinations, and mixed with his traumatic memories of the second world war, he could get paranoid and a bit agitated sometimes. He also has a slight urinary complication.
He requires the following help (and maybe more):
1. Navigating within the house as he forgets the rooms.
2. Support while walking, as he could trip on anything.
3. Daily walk in the neighborhood for 30 minutes, or physical exercises indoor, as he looses muscles very quickly.
4. Conversation partner, even if you do not understand him.
5. Partner to play with him, or keep him busy, as he starts hallucinating if left by himself.
6. Encourage him to eat well during meals.
7. Help him drink his medicines 3 times a day.
8. Encourage him to drink lots of fluids.
9. Help him before, during, and after urination, as he needs to insert a catheter in order to urinate. The actual insertion is still done by him. Urination done twice a day.
10. Help him clean himself after bowel mouvements.
11. Check for constipation, and give him enema or perform manual excretion as needed.
12. Help him change clothes when needed.
13. Help him take showers/baths, and wash him where needed.
14. Help him wash his teeth and perform oral care after every meal.
15. Help him shave his face one or twice a week.
16. He needs someone who can communicate with the “heart”.
My mother, 82 years old, of Japanese nationality, may need some help cooking, running errands, doing the laundry, or cleaning the house from time to time.
We seek one candidate who can live-in with my parents in Minato-ku, or we seek one or several candidates who can commute and work 12 hours a day (10am to 10pm) to cover at least 6 days a week.
Candidate(s) should be cheerful towards my father at all times (but not with a high pitch voice) and be able to make him do things (such as taking his medicines or taking a bath) willingly and voluntarily, without forcing him.
Candidates should already be living in Tokyo or nearby as we do not sponsor any visa at this moment.
Females preferred as war related traumas could suddenly appear when given care by males.
Any nursing and physical therapy experiences are welcome.