Life with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease turns normal life upside down – not only for the person with the disease, but also for family members and close friends. Watching an intelligent, active individual deteriorate mentally is upsetting and confusing. Especially in the beginning, you might not understand what is happening to your loved one. Their behavior is changing in odd ways, but at this point it might just seem irritating and annoying. The more you know about this disease, the more you will be prepared if someone close to you begins to develop it.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t happen all at once. Because of the progressive nature of the disease, you’ll probably notice a gradual – yet relentless – decline in your family member’s ability to function. Our memory affects so much of our ability to operate; things we take for granted like remembering someone’s name when see them, or remembering why we are at the grocery store, or how to use the washing machine are all affected by Alzheimer’s disease. It’s very disturbing to observe this deterioration in someone we love.


Learn All You Can

Alzheimer’s sufferers experience tremendous isolation; they are truly trapped in a world of confusion and pain. You might feel powerless as well when faced with the strange and erratic behavior you see. One of the best things you can do to help someone with Alzheimer’s is to learn all you can about the disease, find out what care options are available, and discover how to assist your loved one with compassion while still preserving their dignity.

Just being available to an Alzheimer’s patient is very important. Even if you feel nervous, your emotional support and your simple presence can help just as much as the correct medicines. By not shunning someone with Alzheimer’s, you can lessen their depression and help them to stay active as long as possible. Remember, Alzheimer’s is not contagious!


What to Watch For

So, what do you do if you begin to suspect a loved one is showing signs of this dreaded disease? The more you are aware of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, the more quickly you can make sure they get the proper diagnosis and care. Many of us experience some of these symptoms as we age, but for someone with Alzheimer’s, they are much more severe. For instance, at some point all of us forget where we put our keys, but when this seems to occur frequently and if you notice other erratic behavior, it could be the beginning of Alzheimer’s.

The trick is knowing what to look for without jumping to conclusions. There are some definite early signs to be aware of. Here are the most common ones:

• Not being able to remember simple, familiar things


• Suddenly forgetting how to perform basic tasks – cooking, driving the car, vacuuming


• Repeating oneself


• Becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings


• Misplacing things, losing things


• Inability to use the computer or balance the checkbook


• Mood swings or personality changes


• Unable to make decisions for themselves


• Neglecting basic hygiene

Remember though, even if a person has several of the above symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have Alzheimer’s. But what these warning signs point to is the need for a thorough medical evaluation to determine if your loved one is experiencing the initial stages of Alzheimer’s. While there is no cure yet, proper treatment is available and can greatly prolong the quality of life for both patient and caregivers.