Finding Ways To Make It Through Alzheimer's

By Jen Pursens

If you or a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, it can be a very tragic experience. Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that affects the brain. It may start off small but gets progressively worse. It currently affects millions of people, and that number is expected to double in the next 20 years.

When you realize exactly how many people are already suffering from this disease, it can be a scary thought. That's why it is so important that people who may be affected by Alzheimer's find a solution to provide care, like senior home care, or other methods to manage the disease.

Although the number of people suffering from Alzheimer's continues to grow, many people are still unaware how to spot the actual symptoms. If you can catch the warning signs early, though, you have a much better chance to take a proactive approach to the problem and prepare a number of ways to deal with it. This will also help you decide if a senior home care system is the right choice.

The most common symptoms include - but are not limited to - memory loss that gets worse over time; impaired decision making abilities and making decisions that are completely out of character; and speech impairments. Just remember, these symptoms might be more pronounced with someone that has suffered serious head injuries or with someone who has a history of Alzheimer's in the family.

If you suspect that a loved one is starting to feel some of these early stages of Alzheimer's then you should quickly consult a doctor for a formal diagnosis. Your physician will have to start monitoring the person to see if they can spot the important behavioral symptoms and determine whether or not it is impairing their ability to function properly or otherwise hindering their cognitive abilities.

Depending on how the prognosis comes out, this may be the time to decide if senior home care is your best option. This could also be the time to assign Power of Attorney just in case the patient is soon unable to make independent decisions. You should also expect to have regular appointments for continuing evaluations.

Perhaps the best advice for anyone taking care of an Alzheimer's patient is to be proactive about your care plans. Yes, there are drugs on the market and they can help, but there are many things you can do on your own. Select appropriate activities that they can participate in, or join in with an early stages Alzheimer's social group. You should also try to make their living environments safer and more comfortable.

Do your best to keep the patient involved and interested in their own treatment. You should also not hesitate to discuss all the legal and financial matters that have to be resolved. These are also cases when you might consider turning to some senior home care services to help you get everything sorted out. - 30540

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