Having an elderly parent diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is never going to be easy. Families worry about a great many things. It’s okay to worry, but when it comes to Alzheimer’s care in the future for that senior now dealing with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to put the focus on the right things.
Too often, people focus on the wrong things. This is where unnecessary stress begins to take over. Make no mistake, helping somebody you love or simply watching them progress through the various stages of Alzheimer’s is never going to be easy. It will be stressful for them, for you, and for everyone else in the family.
But what do some families worry about, specifically, when it comes to Alzheimer’s? Let’s take a look at some of the more common issues families focus on.
1. How they can be of help.
People want to help those they love. They certainly don’t want to stand idly by and do nothing. Unfortunately (or, to be more precise, fortunately), most people have no prior experience helping somebody with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia. They simply don’t know what to do.
They understand, at least at a basic level, how things will progress. The person they love — whether it’s a parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or somebody else — will begin to forget more things. Once the memory issues become even greater, they will also begin dealing with more health-related challenges.
How can you help? How can a family member be of any assistance to somebody dealing with Alzheimer’s? The best way to be of help is to find out what the senior needs and find a way to fill that need, whether that means hiring an in-home care aide through an agency or seeking a different elder care option.
2. They worry about being forgotten.
Memory loss is one of the most common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. As it progresses, the elderly person dealing with Alzheimer’s may even reach a point when he or she does not recognize their own family, their loved ones. This could include a spouse, children, and others they’ve known most or all of their life.
To be on the other end of that, to not be recognized by your own mother or father, for example, can be unsettling. The thought can cause a great deal of stress as you worry about that happening in the future.
3. The looming loss.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s at the moment. It is considered a terminal disease. While the average life expectancy for somebody with Alzheimer’s is between eight and 10 years upon diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Association), that may seem like a lifetime, but it can go by fast, especially as memory loss ramps up.
If you are focused on the looming loss, you will most likely overlook the treasures of memories that can be forged along the way. Try not to focus on what will happen, but stay focused on the here and now, the things that are happening, and the memories that are still being made.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care in Breckenridge, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today at (254) 559-2030
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high-quality home care in McCulloch County, San Saba County, Mills County, Hamilton County, Runnels County, Coleman County, Brown County, Comanche County, Eastland County, Callahan County, Palo Pinto County, Stephens County, Shackleford County, Jack County, Young County, Throckmorton County, Baylor County, Archer County, Clay County, Wilbarger County, and Wichita County in Texas.
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