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If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you may be at a loss as to what to do or how to handle the situation. This is especially true for those family members whose loved ones are still in the early stages of the disease. In early-stage Alzheimer's, you may not even notice any obvious issues with your loved one's memory. Someone with the early stages of Alzheimer's may experience some problems with learning new things, but they are usually still perfectly capable of engaging in normal conversations, driving, sharing memories, and participating in other normal activities. The early stages of Alzheimer's can last for years. If you find yourself in this situation, you may find yourself with a lot of questions. What can you do to help your loved one? How can you show them love and support? Do you need to get them specialized, professional care? Are there any treatments to slow the effects? This article will answer some of these questions and offer you the help you are looking for. Love and Support Your primary task as a caregiver for someone with early Alzheimer's is simply to offer as much love and support to the person as possible. Remember, this diagnosis is likely going to have a much more devastating effect on them than on you, so they will need you there to support them through this difficult time. Additionally, you should help the person begin planning for their future. Though the early stages of Alzheimer's can last for years, for some people, they will pass very quickly. So it is vital that you sit down with your loved one and ask them what their desires are for when the condition progresses. Do they want to receive in-home care? Do they want to be put in a care facility? Planning for their future senior care in Portland now will ensure that their wishes are met in the future. Daily Tasks and Reminders The level of care needed in these early stages can vary greatly from one person to another. While some elderly will be able to care for themselves on a daily basis, some may need some assistance or the occasional reminder for daily tasks. This can include help with household work, providing reminders for appointments and taking medication, budgeting and money management, and other such tasks. At this time in your loved one's life, it is greatly preferred that family offer this kind of simple help and support. Having familiar people around is comforting to someone in the early stages of Alzheimer's, and having family offering assistance--rather than a professional caregiver--shows the person that they are loved and supported even in this difficult period of their lives. Talking It Through It is very important that those in the early stages of Alzheimer's feel that they can talk about their emotions regarding this new development in their lives. Ensure that you are available to lend a listening ear. Let the person tell you how they're feeling about the changes in their lives. And of course, you should share your feelings about it too. You should also encourage your loved one to continue to participate in activities outside of the home. Remind them to meet up with their friends every now and then, and encourage them to discuss their feelings with these people as well. If necessary, you should talk to your loved one about having them enroll in a support group for individuals with early Alzheimer's. Dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer's will mean significant changes in your loved one's life and in your own life. Remember, as things progress, you should never hesitate to seek the assistance you need to give your loved one the proper care, and enlist the aid of a professional in senior care in Portland.
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