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Alzheimer"s Disease - A Caregiver"s Overview
Care for a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease involves taking care of all his physical and emotional needs.
Educate yourself about all the aspects of Alzheimer's.
Knowing what's happening and why, can make it easier to cope.
You will also know what to expect as the disease progresses.
Understand the changes that the person will go through.
Discuss them with family and close friends so that they are prepared.
Dealing with an AD patient on a day-to-day basis can be highly demanding.
The person with AD can project different behaviors on different days.
Draw up a schedule and try your best to stick to it.
But always maintain a flexible state of mind and adapt to any changes that come your way.
A person with Alzheimer's will experience many changes in his personality as the disease progresses.
He will be stubborn, irritable, insecure, irrational, and paranoid.
He may also be unable to mange even the simplest physical tasks like holding a fork or buttoning his shirt.
This can be trying for the caregiver as well as the person with Alzheimer's disease.
Remember to approach each situation with tact and sensitivity; he is still the person you have always loved and it is nobody's fault that he is experiencing these changes.
Persons with AD are usually restless and get bored easily.
Involving the AD patient in daily activities and time with family is very important.
Always treat him with respect, never put him in a situation that tramps his dignity or makes him feel inadequate.
As language skills degenerate, it will not be easy for the person with Alzheimer's disease to communicate.
Pay attention to his body language and try anticipating his needs.
Looking after a loved one with Alzheimer's is a 24/7 job that makes staggering demands on your time and understanding.
Maintaining your equilibrium is crucial to the smooth functioning of day-to-day life.
This is not always easy, no matter how much you love the person you're taking care of.
Accept help from time to time and don't feel guilty about it.
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