Ways to Aid a Person Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s Disease
Managing a person with Alzheimer’s disease can be an intensely stressful journey, physically and emotionally. If you have a family member diagnosed with this disease, you probably know this already. This illness could affect the whole family and will probably be the most challenging experience, especially at first. It will be hard to let reality sink in, but you need to know that you will not be alone. There will be people willing to help you. If you need some inspiration, you can surely get one.
Jack Weaver made a memoir that talks about a couple’s journey along the trail of Alzheimer’s. The husband reflects on all the trials he encountered with his wife’s condition for 15 long years. This book will definitely give you a glimpse into their lives and provide you with tips on overcoming the challenges that the disease brings. Going Going: The Abduction Of A Mind is also designed to inspire people to fight whatever they are going through.
When a family member begins to show symptoms of the disease, it is imperative to know what to do. Thus, the list below is designed to help you cope with all the challenges that might come.
Educate Yourself
Knowing what to expect from a person diagnosed with the disease is significant. Thus, it would be best if you took specific actions beforehand. Researching the disease will allow you to prepare for the things that may occur. It is better to prepare your plans before things can go worse. This will lessen your frustration, and you will know the responsibilities you should take.
Be Patient
Now that you have informed yourself with Alzheimer’s disease, you know that there are stages. You understand that the person will lose some parts of themself. Symptoms like amnesia will occur, especially during the middle stages. If you notice that there are things that the person does or says unusual things, know that it is part of the diagnosis. In some cases, behaviors will become aggressive. So changing the way you talk to them will be necessary. Make sure that you set a positive mood whenever you interact with them. Consider your tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions to be light and happy as possible.
Incorporate a Daily Routine
Developing a consistent daily routine will help you run your day as smooth as possible. This way, the patient will be familiar with what to do in a day. You can follow a schedule, a specific time for waking up, bathing, taking meals, choosing outfits, and taking naps. A routine will help the person to promote a sense of independence, boosting self-esteem.
Give Activities
Once a person has Alzheimer’s or some other related dementias, they will have problem behaviors. A way to deal with it is to divert their attention by giving them many exciting and stimulating activities to do. Activities that can help them foster self-expression will be the most efficient. If you know an activity that gives pleasure to the patient, make them do it. You can also play her favorite songs, watch some family videos, or cleaning the house. This way, the diagnosed person will stir some memories in their heads. Sometime they would resist doing anything. If this happens, you let them be. Give them a break and try again after a few moments.
Ask for help
As mentioned, you are not alone in this journey. Getting support from others will always be accessible. If you are busy with work, you don’t have to feel guilty about asking for help from your nearest Agency on Aging. Sending them to health care will probably be the best for them, especially if you can’t take care of them yourself. At least in aging centers, they will be adequately attended to with their needs. If you ever
Caring for a loved one with a disease like Alzheimer’s is not going to be easy. If you ever feel exhausted from handling troubling behavior, always remember that these are just the ways for them to cope with the deteriorating brain function. If you want to know a unique story of a couple’s journey in battling this disease, check out Jack Weaver’s Going Going: The Abduction Of A Mind.
