Category: Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s: What to Look for in a Doctor?

When your health is at stake, finding a competent doctor with the right credentials and training is critical to your treatment and well-being. You want someone who can accurately diagnose your condition and help you handle any problems that come up. Some¬one who is on top of the latest developments in the field of Alzheimer’s—which is under intensive research these days. The doctor you choose to spearhead your care is a critical player on your medical team. Other things you should consider in making your decision might include:

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Alzheimer’s: What Will The Caregiver Do?

If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and you’re reading this book to learn more about the condition, you are already beginning to assume a role in caregiving. Taking care of a person with Alzheimer’s Disease is unlike caring for someone with any other illness, and your roles and responsibilities will be many, including the selection of medical professionals to care for the person with Alzheimer’s.

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Alzheimer’s: Managing the Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease

If you or a loved one was just recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are no doubt feeling overwhelmed by the news. You may be struggling with some practical concerns that involve your safety and that of your loved ones. Perhaps you will have to give up driving or turn over the household finances to someone else. Maybe you’ve already had to stop working. Perhaps you can no longer pursue a beloved hobby such as traveling or cooking.

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Alzheimer’s: How Do I Tell My Children And Grandchildren?

Your initial instinct may be to hide your condition from the young people in your life. But the truth is, the impact of Alzheimer’s is far and wide, and can affect everyone in the family, even the youngest children. Exactly how it will affect the children in your life depends on several factors: whether they are your children or grandchildren; how close you are to them emotionally and physically before the illness; and whether they live in the same house, nearby in the same town, or in a faraway state.

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Alzheimer’s: Who Needs To Know I Have Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face after being diagnosed is figuring out who needs to know about your condition.

Some people consider a medical diagnosis of any kind beyond a cold a closely guarded secret. Others may feel comfortable detailing the nitty-gritty details of their health and medical history. How you generally feel about discussing your health with friends and family will be a big factor in whether you decide to disclose that you have Alzheimer’s.

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Alzheimer’s: What Can I Do To Help My Memory?

A telltale sign of Alzheimer’s disease is fading memory. Everyday tasks that you once recalled so easily now slip from your mind. As a result, doctor’s appointments may easily be forgotten, medications are sometimes neglected, and familiar phone numbers become impossible to recall.

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Alzheimer’s: What If I Can’t Handle Money?

The simple acts of balancing your checkbook, paying your bills, and managing your finances can seem like monumental tasks for the person suffering from Alzheimer’s. Some people may write the same check over and over again. Others may simply forget to pay the bills. Others may become confused by the math involved in balancing a checkbook. Eventually, the person who has Alzheimer’s may become irresponsible with money and give away large sums to unscrupulous organizations. You may also forget when you have spent money, and accuse your loved ones of stealing.

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Being told that you have Alzheimer’s can set off a range of emotions in you and your loved ones. You may be outraged that you’ve been diagnosed with a hfe-threatening illness, saddened by the loss of a once powerful intellect, or frustrated by your inability to perform as you once could. Or, just as likely, you could feel all three emotions at different times. All of these reactions are very normal responses to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. How you choose to cope with them how¬ever, can make a big difference in how you adapt to your condition. DENIAL You do not want to admit that you have a chronic disease, so you tell yourself that everything is okay. You feel fine. You can still handle money, drive the car, and go to the store. You can still carry on a conversation with your friends and do your job fairly effec¬tively. But deep down, you know it’s becoming more difficult to perform these everyday tasks. In short, you may be in denial. This simple strategy has enabled many of us to get through some of life’s most difficult circumstances. For instance, we might deny that we’re unhappily married in order to avoid the economic hardships that can come with a painful divorce. But in some people who have early Alzheimer’s, what may appear to be denial to outsiders may in reality be a lack of awareness of the ill¬ness. You may simply be oblivious to your diminished faculties and compensating in ways that you don’t find bothersome. According to Daniel Kuhn, author of Alzheimer’s Early Stages, personal awareness of Alzheimer’s fluctuates in the early phases of Alzheimer’s Disease, but is generally lower than might be expected because of the effects of the disease. “Most people don’t dwell on their impair¬ments or they find ways to excuse them,” he writes. Instead, they begin to gradually adapt to their condition by accepting their limi¬tations and lowering their expectations. But to the outside world, these people may appear to be in denial of their illness. It’s easy to understand why someone would want to deny that they have Alzheimer’s. And in many cases, it’s okay to be in some denial as you gradually come to terms with your condition. But if your denial is jeopardizing your health and safety, then you may need to talk to a social worker, your physician or a close family member or friend. The sooner you come to terms with your diag¬nosis, the sooner you’ll learn to live with it. ANGER Perhaps you are outraged to discover you have Alzheimer’s, espe¬cially if you’ve been vigilant about your health. You may feel that life is unfair, and that you’ve already had your share of trauma. You may be outraged at the fact you can no longer balance your check¬book, drive to the mall, or follow a simple recipe. Anger over something you can’t control is a normal emotion, one you’re likely to experience at least on occasion when you have Alzheimer’s. The constant presence of an incurable disease can make anyone angry and bitter. As a result you may become easily irritated, even with loved ones who are trying to care for you. If you find yourself frequently angry, try to pinpoint the source of your anger. Maybe it’s the feelings of helplessness. Or maybe you hate the way you can no longer participate in conver¬sations with ease. Perhaps you don’t like feeling different from other people. Talk to your caregiver, a social worker, or a friend about your feelings. If you can, keep a log to vent your anger. Consider joining a support group with other people who have Alzheimer’s. You will certainly discover that there are plenty of others who share your anger about having this disease. What the Caregiver Can Do Whether your loved one shares your feelings with you or not, you will know that he is angry if he is irritable, sullen, and withdrawn. These are emotional cues that suggest inward anger, even if the patient is not outwardly ranting. To help ease his anger, let him voice his displeasure without any comments from you. Don’t give him difficult tasks that may cause confusion, which will only upset the person. At the same time, don’t insult him by giving him tasks that are so overly sim¬ple they seem condescending. Also, speak slowly and clearly, and never talk about the patient in his presence as if he’s not there. Don’t barrage him with too many questions at a time, which can be overwhelming. Avoid star-ding the person. Offer help subtly when he appears to need it, but don’t automatically assume a lack of competence. If the person erupts in a tirade, invite him out for a walk that might help him cool down. Frequent episodes of anger may actually be a symptom of de-pression. So be on the lookout for other signs of depression, such as withdrawing, crying, persistent sadness, and feelings of worth-lessness. Depression can be treated, which may alleviate some of the anger and hostility.

Whether someone with Alzheimer’s can still hold a job during the early stages of the disease depends a great deal on the type of job he holds. A job that doesn’t demand a lot of concentration, memory, and communication skills may still be doable for a while. But if you have a job that requires a lot of concentration, skill and memory and where the health and safely of others are at risk—bus drivers, pharmacists, and nurses, for example—you might have to stop working pretty quickly.

Continue reading Being told that you have Alzheimer’s can set off a range of emotions in you and your loved ones. You may be outraged that you’ve been diagnosed with a hfe-threatening illness, saddened by the loss of a once powerful intellect, or frustrated by your inability to perform as you once could. Or, just as likely, you could feel all three emotions at different times. All of these reactions are very normal responses to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. How you choose to cope with them how¬ever, can make a big difference in how you adapt to your condition. DENIAL You do not want to admit that you have a chronic disease, so you tell yourself that everything is okay. You feel fine. You can still handle money, drive the car, and go to the store. You can still carry on a conversation with your friends and do your job fairly effec¬tively. But deep down, you know it’s becoming more difficult to perform these everyday tasks. In short, you may be in denial. This simple strategy has enabled many of us to get through some of life’s most difficult circumstances. For instance, we might deny that we’re unhappily married in order to avoid the economic hardships that can come with a painful divorce. But in some people who have early Alzheimer’s, what may appear to be denial to outsiders may in reality be a lack of awareness of the ill¬ness. You may simply be oblivious to your diminished faculties and compensating in ways that you don’t find bothersome. According to Daniel Kuhn, author of Alzheimer’s Early Stages, personal awareness of Alzheimer’s fluctuates in the early phases of Alzheimer’s Disease, but is generally lower than might be expected because of the effects of the disease. “Most people don’t dwell on their impair¬ments or they find ways to excuse them,” he writes. Instead, they begin to gradually adapt to their condition by accepting their limi¬tations and lowering their expectations. But to the outside world, these people may appear to be in denial of their illness. It’s easy to understand why someone would want to deny that they have Alzheimer’s. And in many cases, it’s okay to be in some denial as you gradually come to terms with your condition. But if your denial is jeopardizing your health and safety, then you may need to talk to a social worker, your physician or a close family member or friend. The sooner you come to terms with your diag¬nosis, the sooner you’ll learn to live with it. ANGER Perhaps you are outraged to discover you have Alzheimer’s, espe¬cially if you’ve been vigilant about your health. You may feel that life is unfair, and that you’ve already had your share of trauma. You may be outraged at the fact you can no longer balance your check¬book, drive to the mall, or follow a simple recipe. Anger over something you can’t control is a normal emotion, one you’re likely to experience at least on occasion when you have Alzheimer’s. The constant presence of an incurable disease can make anyone angry and bitter. As a result you may become easily irritated, even with loved ones who are trying to care for you. If you find yourself frequently angry, try to pinpoint the source of your anger. Maybe it’s the feelings of helplessness. Or maybe you hate the way you can no longer participate in conver¬sations with ease. Perhaps you don’t like feeling different from other people. Talk to your caregiver, a social worker, or a friend about your feelings. If you can, keep a log to vent your anger. Consider joining a support group with other people who have Alzheimer’s. You will certainly discover that there are plenty of others who share your anger about having this disease. What the Caregiver Can Do Whether your loved one shares your feelings with you or not, you will know that he is angry if he is irritable, sullen, and withdrawn. These are emotional cues that suggest inward anger, even if the patient is not outwardly ranting. To help ease his anger, let him voice his displeasure without any comments from you. Don’t give him difficult tasks that may cause confusion, which will only upset the person. At the same time, don’t insult him by giving him tasks that are so overly sim¬ple they seem condescending. Also, speak slowly and clearly, and never talk about the patient in his presence as if he’s not there. Don’t barrage him with too many questions at a time, which can be overwhelming. Avoid star-ding the person. Offer help subtly when he appears to need it, but don’t automatically assume a lack of competence. If the person erupts in a tirade, invite him out for a walk that might help him cool down. Frequent episodes of anger may actually be a symptom of de-pression. So be on the lookout for other signs of depression, such as withdrawing, crying, persistent sadness, and feelings of worth-lessness. Depression can be treated, which may alleviate some of the anger and hostility.

Alzheimer’s: The Emotional Toll of Alzheimer’s

Being told that you have Alzheimer’s can set off a range of emotions in you and your loved ones. You may be outraged that you’ve been diagnosed with a hfe-threatening illness, saddened by the loss of a once powerful intellect, or frustrated by your inability to perform as you once could. Or, just as likely, you could feel all three emotions at different times. All of these reactions are very normal responses to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. How you choose to cope with them how¬ever, can make a big difference in how you adapt to your condition.

Continue reading Alzheimer’s: The Emotional Toll of Alzheimer’s