The Beginning Stages of Alzheimer Disease

When someone close to you has been diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease one of the first things that you should do is explore any treatment options.  There is currently no cure for Alzheimer Disease but there are medications available that will help some patients cope with the symptoms.  You’ll want to discuss the pros and cons of these medications with the patient’s doctor so that you can weigh the benefits and risks.  The Alzheimer Society will also have information for you that is current and up to date.  Keep in mind that there are often drug trials that the patient can participate in depending on what researchers are looking for and what stage of the disease the person is at.  If the patient chooses to take part in any clinical trials you may need to offer your help.

As a caregiver you need to recognize that you’ll be going through many feelings and emotions, especially if the patient is a close family member.  Some of the emotions that you’ll be experiencing include embarrassment, anger, frustration, fear, denial, guilt, and sadness.  These are all normal emotions that are very common in caregivers.  There are some days where you’ll feel more emotions than other days.  The most important thing to remember is that you be gentle with yourself.  If you find yourself falling into a deep depression that won’t lift you’ll need to see your own doctor.  You need to be in good emotional shape if you’re going to be any good to your Alzheimer patient.

It’s important that you support the Alzheimer patient in making plans for the future.  Some of the decisions about the future that will have to be made by and for the patient include both personal and work related issues.  Try to keep the patient as involved in the decision process as possible so that they don’t become frightened by the changes around them.  There will be some paperwork that you need to get in order that may need to be signed by the patient; try to attend to this paperwork during the early stages of the disease so that the patient retains control of many of the decisions that will affect them.

Another thing that should be discussed and taken care of when Alzheimer Disease is first diagnosed is decisions about finances and health care.  The patient should write down their wishes when it comes to certain aspects of the future such legal issues and estate planning.  There should also be a backup plan in place if, at some time in the future, you are unable to continue as the primary caregiver.