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A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be devastating. While the disease will certainly bring changes to your life, understanding some simple techniques of Alzheimer's disease management can help you cope with those changes and continue to have a good quality of life in the future.
The first step in Alzheimer's disease management is an attitude of wellness. Just because you have been diagnosed with a disease doesn't mean you should stop working on your physical, mental, and emotional health. A diagnosis is all the more reason to take wellness seriously. Proper exercise, nutrition and rest are crucially important for health. Keeping appointments with physicians and managing medications are also doubly important. Physical health, however, is inextricably linked with emotional and spiritual health. You may go through a grieving process and experience a whole gamut of uncomfortable emotions from fear, anger and sadness to loneliness and frustration. To help handle these emotions, engage in activities you find enjoyable, such as journaling, art or other hobbies. Talk to a physician, therapist or pastor. Staying close to family members, loved ones and the community can ward off feelings of loneliness and isolation, as can joining a support group, where you can talk to other people who are experiencing the same changes in their lives.
No matter how physically, mentally and emotionally healthy you may strive to be, you will inevitably face a number of changes in how you handle your everyday life as a result of the disease; therefore, the next step in Alzheimer's disease management is learning how to cope with change. Tasks which were once easy to accomplish, such as writing a check or washing the bathtub, may become more difficult as the disease progresses. Rather than criticizing yourself when a task becomes difficult, break it down into a number of easily manageable steps that you give yourself plenty of time to complete. Rest if the task becomes too difficult, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes communicating with others and asking for assistance may be a difficult task in itself. Ask people to clarify themselves if you do not understand them, and give yourself time to process what they are saying and to respond. You may also want to find a peaceful environment free from distraction in order to make communication easier. Finally, make your home an interactive environment that constantly gives you signs and clues to help you deal with changes in your memory. Label everything from your medication to your family photos, and write daily schedules and reminders for yourself. Have family members help you organize your home or call you with reminders.
At some point, the disease may progress to the stage where you are no longer able to handle making important decisions for yourself regarding health care, finances and other legal issues. The final step in Alzheimer's disease management is to prepare for the future. Talk to your family members about care options. Understand your finances and determine how your care will be paid for. Finally, discuss legal issues such as trusts, wills, and who will have control over your healthcare decisions with an attorney. All the work you do now can improve your quality of life in the future.
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