Tips For Helping Loved Ones Through Alzheimer's

By Jen Pursens

Alzheimer's is a painful disease to suffer through for the person with the disease and also for loved ones near the patient. It is a degenerative disease of the brain that gets progressively worse and can affect millions of people. Though it already affects many people, that number is expected to double in the next twenty years.

When you realize exactly how many people are already suffering from this disease, it can be a scary thought. That's why it is so important that people who may be affected by Alzheimer's find a solution to provide care, like senior home care, or other methods to manage the disease.

Alzheimer's is a common disease, but many are unaware of its symptoms. Being aware of the symptoms can be very helpful because if you can catch the warning signs early, you can start developing a proactive approach for how to manage and deal with it. Catching the symptoms early can also help you decide if you will need senior home care.

The symptoms can include, but are not limited to memory loss that gets progressively worse, impaired decision making that is completely out of character or someone, and speech impairments. Keep in mind, the symptoms can be more obvious with people who have suffered serious head injuries in the past or people that have had other family members suffer from Alzheimer's.

If you suspect that a loved one is starting to feel some of these early stages of Alzheimer's then you should quickly consult a doctor for a formal diagnosis. Your physician will have to start monitoring the person to see if they can spot the important behavioral symptoms and determine whether or not it is impairing their ability to function properly or otherwise hindering their cognitive abilities.

Depending on the prognosis, you may decide that senior home care is your best option. You might even decide that this is the right time to assign Power of Attorney in case the patient suddenly can't make independent decisions. The doctor should also set up regular appointments for new evaluations.

Perhaps the best advice for anyone taking care of an Alzheimer's patient is to be proactive about your care plans. Yes, there are drugs on the market and they can help, but there are many things you can do on your own. Select appropriate activities that they can participate in, or join in with an early stages Alzheimer's social group. You should also try to make their living environments safer and more comfortable.

You should always try your best to keep the patient actively involved with their own treatment, and try to discuss all the legal and financial matters that have to be resolved. Many senior home care services will offer a lot of help when you need to get everything sorted out. - 30287

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