The Beginning Stages Of Alzheimer Disease

When someone close to you has been diagnosed with Alzheimer

Disease one of the first things that you should do is explore any

treatment options. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer

Disease but there are medications available that will help some

patients cope with the symptoms. You'll want to discuss the pros

and cons of these medications with the patient's doctor so that

you can weigh the benefits and risks. The Alzheimer Society will

also have information for you that is current and up to date. Keep

in mind that there are often drug trials that the patient can

participate in depending on what researchers are looking for and

what stage of the disease the person is at. If the patient chooses

to take part in any clinical trials you may need to offer your help.



As a caregiver you need to recognize that you'll be going through

many feelings and emotions, especially if the patient is a close

family member. Some of the emotions that you'll be experiencing

include embarrassment, anger, frustration, fear, denial, guilt, and

sadness. These are all normal emotions that are very common in

caregivers. There are some days where you'll feel more

emotions than other days. The most important thing to remember

is that you be gentle with yourself. If you find yourself falling

into a deep depression that won't lift you'll need to see your own

doctor. You need to be in good emotional shape if you're going

to be any good to your Alzheimer patient.



It's important that you support the Alzheimer patient in making

plans for the future. Some of the decisions about the future that

will have to be made by and for the patient include both personal

and work related issues. Try to keep the patient as involved in

the decision process as possible so that they don't become

frightened by the changes around them. There will be some

paperwork that you need to get in order that may need to be

signed by the patient; try to attend to this paperwork during the

early stages of the disease so that the patient retains control of

many of the decisions that will affect them.



Another thing that should be discussed and taken care of when

Alzheimer Disease is first diagnosed is decisions about finances

and health care. The patient should write down their wishes

when it comes to certain aspects of the future such legal issues

and estate planning. There should also be a backup plan in place

if, at some time in the future, you are unable to continue as the

primary caregiver.