Alzheimer’s Disease has become as common in our vocabulary
as cancer or heart disease. However, the commonality does not make the words,
“Yes, your loved one has Alzheimer’s Disease” any easier to deal with. After
the diagnosis, grief, anger, confusion, anxiety and misunderstanding can be
common feelings. Emotions run high and tough decisions need to be made by the
family.
With two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s patients initially cared
for in the home, it is important for the caregiver to know where he or she can
turn for help along with following some basic guidelines.
Recommendations
for Caregivers:
Learn about the
disease. Know what can be expected as the
disease progresses. Changes in personality and behavior are all part of the
natural course inflicted upon the victim and should not be taken personally.
Education helps accept the situation, plan for the future and set realistic
expectations for yourself and your loved one.
Remember, Alzheimer’s is a disease. Although explaining
the disease to others may be difficult, it helps friends, family and neighbors
to understand the behavior of the patient and the stress experienced by the
caregiver.
Ask for and accept help. Caregivers should not try to “go
it alone.” “In many ways, dementia is like death. It is the death of the
mind. Most family members who are close to the patient will go through some
phase of mourning which is often more grievous than that produced by the death
itself,” says Dr. Monica Blumenthal of the University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine. Help from others is commonly termed respite and can be provided to
the patient or the caregiver.
Take a break from being the primary caregiver. Ask your
family or friends to help so you are able to take some time off. Whether it’s
just a few hours or a weekend away, relief is needed from the stressful
situation.
Understand and accept your feelings. Families and
caregivers dealing with a dementia related illness experience many mixed and
powerful feelings. Anger, grief, embarrassment, guilt and shame are several
frequently experienced emotions. Remember that these feelings are human
responses that everyone feels and they are okay.
Make realistic commitments. It is very important not to
sacrifice your physical and emotional health. Besides the Alzheimer’s patient,
other family members most likely depend on you, too. “Overloading your
circuits” will create additional stress that is not healthy to yourself or your
family.
Join a support group. Family support groups can provide a
tremendous source of information and understanding. Sharing with others who are
in the same situation reduces feelings of isolation and guilt.
Recommendations for Working with a Person with Alzheimer's:
Keep expectations realistic. This will reduce the
frustration for both you and the patient. Learning about the disease will help
you know what can be expected from an individual who has a progressive dementia.
Maintain a calm atmosphere. Constant activity around the
Alzheimer’s patient or requests by the caregiver to hurry up or go faster will
confuse and frighten the memory-impaired. Even small amounts of excitement can
cause agitation.
Helpful Resources The Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern Washington can
answer all of your questions from how to receive respite care, when the support
groups meet and other in-home services. The telephone number is 483-8456.
