Sitting idly by when a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is not going to be easy. It’s going to be downright difficult. Even though you may have noticed some of the earliest signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, getting that diagnosis can take your breath away.
It does that because most people understand there’s nothing good about Alzheimer’s or any other type of dementia. Most people associate memory loss, even to the point an aging senior will no longer recognize their family, their children, their spouse, or some of their closest friends at some point in the future.
When you associate something with symptoms like these, you may want to run and hide from the truth. The fact is, though, that loved one who is dealing with this now can’t hide. All they can do is look ahead, embrace the future for whatever it holds, and try to squeeze out as much living.
There are some things you can do to make things a little bit smoother, if not easier, for a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Let’s look at a few now.
1. Understand and accept what will come.
If you don’t know what the future is going to hold concerning symptoms, challenges, or possibly other health issues, how are you going to handle them when they come? Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s now, prepare yourself, and recognize your limitations.
Many family members become caregivers for someone with Alzheimer’s. They do it out of a sense of responsibility or love, but eventually, it’s going to be too much for them. Without prior experience, a lot of opportunities become missed, too, so recognize your limits, learn about the various stages of the disease, and plan for those changes to come.
2. Talk about elder care.
There are many different types of elder care out there, including Alzheimer’s home care. An Alzheimer’s home care aide would allow someone with Alzheimer’s the option of remaining home for the rest of their life, if at all possible.
You don’t want to wait until the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s progress because, by then, the senior may not be lucid and cogent enough to help make important decisions such as this. Talk about Alzheimer’s home care now so the senior can be just as included in decisions about their future as you and the rest of the family.
3. Realize things will get tougher.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand this, but too many family caregivers think they can handle it because during the earliest stages of the disease the senior needs very little support, guidance, or reminders.
It won’t stay that way. Things will get tougher and as long as you realize and accept that, you can better prepare yourself for what will come.
4. Encourage mental stimulation.
Studies show that mental stimulation can help slow the progression of memory loss, at least for a while (Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation). Encourage the senior to read, do puzzles, do the crossword puzzle, or even look through old photo albums and talk about the friends and family they see in those pictures.
Every little bit helps, and some of these mentally stimulating activities can be quite fun for everyone.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Stephenville, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today at (817) 631-7710
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high-quality home care in Bosque County, Hill County, Navarro County, Henderson County, Erath County, Somervell County, Johnson County, Ellis County, Parker County, Tarrant County, Dallas County, Kaufman County, Rains County, Hood County, VanZandt County, and Rockwall County in Texas.
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