5 Ways for Caregivers to Deal with Alzheimer's Disease

 

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative and debilitating disease that robs people of their memory, cognitive function, and eventually their lives.  The disease affects the person experiencing the disease and their family, friends, and loved ones.

Coping with Alzheimer's disease has an impact on the entire family and friends. The changes in seniors functional abilities to relate to the people in their daily lives, harm their relationships.  Short-term memory is lost.  Seniors can't remember what happened yesterday but have vivid memories of what happened 20 years ago.

Unfortunately, there are no magic pills or ways to make the illness and condition more palatable for anyone.  Some say that the best way to cope is to accept it and work around the problems.  That is easier said than done.  Faced with the life-changing events in the life of a loved one, as well as the demanding physical and emotional care, caregivers often fall into depression.

If a person with Alzheimer's is placed into a nursing facility, visiting can also bring about coping with Alzheimer's.  It can be frightening and upsetting when the one you are visiting doesn't recognize you.  The visit can be filled with emotion.

But coping with Alzheimer's diagnosis isn't just for the caregiver.  In the early and middle stages of the disease, the person with Alzheimer's knows there is something wrong.  They will have periods of disorientation and loss of memories interspersed with periods of lucidity.  This leads to confusion, frustration, anger, fear, grief, and depression.

The caregiver can help the loved one cope with Alzheimer's disease by being present and listening to them express their fears and concerns.  Helping the person plan, provide unconditional love, and help them retain their dignity and self-respect will go a long way toward encouraging them to continue living their lives and enjoying the days they've been given.

Seniors with Alzheimer's benefit greatly from a stable environment.  This reduces problems with behavior.  When a person with Alzheimer's is introduced to noises, new situations, large groups of people, or is rushed to remember or do a seemingly simple task, it can cause anxiety.  This anxiety leads to the person becoming upset and decreases their ability to think clearly.

5 Ways for Caregivers to Deal with Alzheimer's Disease

Coping with Alzheimer's when you are the caregiver can lead to social isolation, anger, guilt, frustration, discouragement, worry, and grief.  But there are several things that you, as the caregiver, can do to help prevent and treat these issues.  

Get Help - Ask your friends and family for help when you need it. Don't believe that you are in this alone.  You have family, friends, and people who love you also.  They don't know what to do to help you have to tell them.

Monitor Your Health - Take care of your health by eating a well-balanced diet, getting at least seven hours of sleep, and relaxing when you can.  Take dietary supplements to make up for the lousy diet you'll occasionally have.

Educate Yourself - Learn as much about Alzheimer's as you can so you're prepared, at least in theory, for the upcoming challenges.  As much as we can be intellectually ready, we'll probably never be emotionally ready for the changes.

Join a Support Group - Use a support group to help you brainstorm solutions to your problem set.  Others have gone before you – use their knowledge.

Seek Counseling - Researchers have found that those caregivers who receive individual counseling and support have a decreased level of depression and keep their loved ones home for a more extended period.

Alzheimer's Care in Denver CO

If you require longer term Alzheimer's care in Denver, Colorado or the surrounding area, contact Applewood Our House. Or, you can take a Virtual Tour of their five beautiful assisted living and memory care homes.