Although a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can feel scary, one of the best ways to take control of things and live your best life is to learn what to expect and how to manage symptoms. With an understanding of what to prepare for, you and your loved ones can make the best decisions together as you face changes common with Alzheimer’s.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
In the United States, around 500,000 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease every year.1 It is not a normal part of aging, but instead a serious illness. This degenerative brain disease causes problems with memory and cognition. It also affects personality, and eventually other brain functions as well. The average lifespan of a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is between 3 and 11 years, with some people living up to 20. 2 The exact causes are still being researched, but it is understood that in Alzheimer’s there is a buildup of proteins in and around brain cells, which then form deposits called plaques. There is no cure, but the treatments available can help reduce symptoms temporarily.
What Are Some Symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s starts with mild memory changes and over time symptoms worsen. Some symptoms that develop are as follows:
- Memory loss (beginning with short term memory)
- Difficulty with problem solving and judgment
- Personality changes
- Trouble finding words
- Getting lost or misplacing items
As the disease progresses, these symptoms will become more pronounced. In addition, the person with Alzheimer’s begins to need help with daily activities like bathing, toileting, dressing, and eating. Eventually, the difficulty with brain function affects the person’s physical ability to move, stand, swallow, and all other bodily functions.
Alzheimer’s Treatments
In June 2021, a new medication called aducanumab was approved to treat a certain kind of protein buildup in the brain, called amyloid plaques. The benefits of this medication are still being closely studied. Other medications, called cholinesterase inhibitors, are used to help with memory problems by helping brain cells communicate with each other. Antidepressants can be prescribed for depression or behavioral changes that happen with Alzheimer’s.
Ways to Manage Changes Due to Alzheimer’s
Along with medical treatments, some steps can be taken at home to help with Alzheimer’s symptoms.
- Reduce the risk of falls (you can read more about how to do this here)
- Keep photographs and other memories visible around the house
- Try to keep the same routine as much as possible, including doctor’s appointments at the same times
- Make a consistent spot to keep important items like keys and wallets
- Keep extra medications locked away and use a pill organizer for daily doses
- Use a medical alert bracelet and carry a cell phone with important numbers clearly labeled as emergency contacts
- Remove extra mirrors around the home, which can be confusing or even scary for someone as memory issues worsen
- Continue to stay active by being a part of activities as much as possible, even if you need a helper
- Consider in-home care for companionship and assistance with daily activities
(For more ideas on how to address concerns about dementia at home, you can read more here as well.)
Advance Care Planning
If you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it’s also especially important to have conversations about your future goals, desires, and plans with your family. When you do this, there are ways to get these ideas on paper. This is known as advance care planning. It’s your opportunity to make your wishes known about what kind of treatments you want as your health changes, even when you are no longer able to make those requests known. You can decide now who will be in charge of making decisions about your care if you cannot speak for yourself, and what kind of medical interventions you want if your ability to recover from illness is low.
Your doctor can help you get started with advance care planning. Some documents that can be a part of advance care planning include:
- A living will
- Medical proxy or healthcare power of attorney
- Medical directives/advance directives
- Do not resuscitate order (DNR)
Involve Your Family
With all of the above changes and important plans to address, it is important to involve your family whenever possible. It is very normal for someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s to have conflicted feelings about their relationships. These feelings can include worry about your ability to fill the same role you have in the past, and fear that you will be a burden to others. You may feel excluded from decisions if your ability to plan and organize is changing. And the help others are offering may at times feel invasive, or like a reminder that you are losing your independence. Anger, embarrassment, and withdrawal from social interactions can be common experiences.
Some key things to remember about navigating changes to your health and involving your family are:
- Talk openly about your needs and how you would like to be treated, for example, let your family know you would like to be included in conversations about future plans as much as possible
- Be willing to ask for help, and explain to your loved ones what kind of help you expect and what things you would prefer to not have help with if possible
- Share your feelings and fears with those closest to you. This includes sharing your wishes, by allowing family you have strong relationships with to be a part of advance care planning with you
- Focus on relationships that are supportive and respectful, not the ones that are negative or absent
- Keep an open mind about accepting help, even if you may not have had to in the past before your diagnosis
Putting it All Together
Understanding that Alzheimer’s is a life-changing diagnosis means that you can take control over how to manage your care. You can use medication and home modifications designed to make day-to-day life easier. Collaborating with family to get the support you need and make future care plans so your wishes about your treatment are honored is important too. With these tools, it is possible to navigate these changes with dignity.
If you have decided that a professional in-home caregiver would help you with your daily activities and safety, and allow you and your family to manage your needs better, Caresify is always available to discuss how we can help. You can learn more about our services here, or call 888-799-5007 for more information.
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