Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that causes a decline in reasoning, thinking, and memory skills. Often, Alzheimer’s is fatal. Currently, as much as 5.1-million Americans have this problem according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Not only to the individual but also to their family, knowing that your loved one has been diagnosed with the disease is frightening; but there are ways to cope.
You may know by now that Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means that it will only get worse. Currently, there are therapies and treatment to slow or treat the symptoms but there is no known cure yet. If you suspect your loved one has Alzheimer’s here are warning signs to check:
Changes in their personality or mood like withdrawal, disinterest, mood swings, anxiety, and/or fearfulness in common activities.
Withdrawal from social activities or work.
When making decisions they have poor or decreased judgment.
They cannot retrace their steps or misplace stuff constantly.
Recent onset of speaking or writing issues.
Difficulty with spatial relationships and visual images.
Inability to track the passage of time and place.
Problems with the completion of tasks that used to be familiar.
Daily life disruption due to memory loss.
If you have checked a lot of these signs, then the best solution is to take your loved one for a doctor’s evaluation.
The best way to manage this disease is to be proactive with your loved one’s senior care plan. How, here are a few simple steps to get you started.
Have a support system in place – caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is no easy feat. Be prepared to be overwhelmed and stressed out. And most importantly, have someone you can turn to when you need vent out or distress.
Regular professional senior care – let’s face it, no matter how hard you try you can’t be a superman and handle everything yourself. In moments when you need to take a break, know that you can call someone to step in for you. And this is where Visiting Angel’s Senior Care NH Alzheimer’s Care program is a deal made in heaven.
You have excellent, caring, quality people. In caring for my Mother, they always maintained her dignity. She was always in charge of her care. They provided companionship as well as care. It gave the family quality visiting time. Words cannot express how pleased we were with this service.