Tuesday, 18 January 2022

Early Stages of Alzheimer's - What to Expect and How to Cope

If you are a caregiver to an elderly loved one who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you will already be well aware that coping with the effects of the disease isn’t easy. This is true for both you, as the carer, and your ageing relative themselves.

Here is what to expect in the coming months and years and how to show a greater level of patience and kindness despite the emotional and physical impact that comes with it.

Memory lapses

Problems with memory are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Your loved one will start to experience more and more memory lapses which can prove frustrating and upsetting for them. They might start to forget certain words or where to find specific items around the house. As the disease progresses, these lapses in memory will become more frequent.

The key here is to remain calm and remind your relative to try to do the same. Do what you can to help and attempt to placate them by telling them that the specific memory will return soon enough. This can be especially helpful if they are hunting for an object of sentimental or monetary value that they are determined to find.

Struggling to cope in social settings

Your loved one will begin having difficulty recalling names and ensuring a consistent flow of speech, hence the reason why social situations might become laboured and stressful. The best thing to do is reduce the frequency that they are exposed to large social groups. Instead, keep them motivated and content by encouraging them to focus additional time on other aspects of their life that are particularly meaningful to them, like a hobby or volunteering.

Overwhelming feelings of anger or sadness

Dealing with a diagnosis like Alzheimer's isn’t straightforward and many people experience a rollercoaster of different emotions as they adjust. This, in conjunction with the various symptoms of the disease, can conjure up strong reactions which can be upsetting to you as the caregiver. Your loved one is likely to be angry and frustrated a lot of the time, interspersed with feelings of sadness and anxiety.

Further to this, you are likely to be experiencing similar emotions yourself. Instead of shutting each other out, allow yourselves to feel these emotions together, supporting one another throughout these difficult times.

As the disease progresses, you will find that your relative gradually requires a higher level of care. This is when it is a good time to consider enlisting outside help in the form of a live-in caregiver. You may notice that when the caring duties are removed from your shoulders, you can be of better emotional support to your loved one.

We'd like to take this opportunity to send a message of gratitude; "to our hardworking nurses at Golden Home Care and to those around the world, especially during these times, we would like to say thank you for your compassion, dedication and contribution towards global health".

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