1. Learning More
One of the hardest aspects of Alzheimer's disease is its degenerative quality. Educate yourself and your family about the course of the disease and how it affects the brain and cognitive functioning, so the patient is treated with love and understanding. Living with Alzheimer's patients or even knowing someone with the condition can be difficult, so temper it with the proper education to ensure an easier transition for a loved one's who has Alzheimer's.
2. Alzheimer's Drugs Can Work
Various drug treatments are available to patients with Alzheimer's disease. The drug treatments primarily treat two main symptoms: the cognitive degeneration and the specific behavioral problems associated with the condition. Cognitive drugs increase memory functioning. The behavioral modifiers treat possible listlessness and physical or verbal outbursts, and mean spirited behavior that could occur as a result of the disease's affect on the brain. Cholinesterase and memantine are used to treat memory functioning quite frequently; in addition, tacrine, donepezil and memantine are used for mild to severe cognitive impairment. Ask a doctor how to find the right combination of medications. Also, vitamin E, gingko biloba and a vitamin-rich diet all show great long term benefits.
3. Utilizing Therapy
Finding a therapist or specialist with experience dealing with Alzheimer's patients can ease some cognitive and behavioral problems. Many Alzheimer's sufferers must relearn behaviors learned as a child or information they have known their whole lives, such as their children's names or where they were born. Coping strategies can be used when the person feels scared or unsure of where they are or who is around them. Teaching the patients to ease anxiety can make the process less intimidating.
4. More Than Mental Symptoms
The physical discomfort of Alzheimer's disease needs to be adequately monitored. Pain, hunger, thirst, or the need to go to the bathroom are often ignored or at best not stated because the brain is not tending to the basic needs of the body. Therefore frequent monitoring of the person's physical comfort should become a priority for caretakers and Alzheimer's patients alike. Creating a serene environment can calm the patient's nervous system and prevent behavioral outbursts or excessive anxiety.
5. The Way They Used to Be
The difficulties associated with Alzheimer's reach far past the realm of the physical or cognitive and touch into the emotional well being of the family and sufferer. Alzheimer's patients can often grow depressed or sullen because they recognize the loss of their everyday functioning. It can cause great sadness. An empathetic counselor, health care worker or family member can identify with the person and assure them they are still valued and loved, despite their complications. Talk with them about memories that do come up. Sometimes just play along when they can't remember who you are and begin to relive memories of someone else with you. It's helps ease their anxiety.
