Caring for Loved Ones With Alzheimer's Disease

If you find that your family is being affected by Alzheimer's disease what should you do? Here are several tips that I hope will help you as they helped my family when my wife's grandfather was diagnosed with the disease.

First the question should be asked, What exactly is Alzheimer's disease? Although there known genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the disease, the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown. It is a degenerative disease of the brain that results in progressive dementia. This often begins with progressive memory loss, followed by increasingly disorganized thought and speech patterns. Due to the continual deterioration of the brain, the disease progresses to a point in which the person becomes helpless and can no longer care for themselves. It eventually results in death.

Next then we should ask, how do we help fight this disease? Become a team captain in a local Memory Walk. There are walks in over 600 communities, and are generally 2 to 3 miles long. The Memory Walk are being held on weekend mornings this fall, so join in and help fight this disease that is taking the life and dignity from our parent, grandparents, and friends.

If a parent is showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to get a prompt diagnosis. You’ll want to find a family physician or a doctor familiar with the disease, preferably one specially trained in diseases of the elderly. Other doctors that may diagnosis Alzheimer’s include neurologists and psychologists. While there is no cure, there are many medications available that can help treat and slow down the progression of the disease.

It is also important so set up a support system for yourself as soon as you learn of the diagnosis. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is an overwhelming task. A good place to start is your local Alzheimer’s Association. They are extremely helpful and can offer advice on caring for your loved one and personal coping strategies. They can also direct you to local support groups and other helpful organizations. You may want to locate a place early on as well that can help with care if it becomes too much. We were luck, and my wife located a wonder facility for her grandfather in our area. They were very attentive to him, and made it a better experience for us all.