Caring For Your Aging Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease
Getting the news from a doctor or other health expert that your aging loved one has Alzheimer's disease can be extremely troubling, especially if you've never studied or learned about the disease before. Perhaps one of the scariest things about any disease is the factor of the unknown, and Alzheimer's is no different. Being in a state of not knowing what the future might hold, what to expect, and how the condition can affect your loved one's well-being in day-to-day life is disconcerting-- so it's important to educate yourself as soon as possible. In addition to any physical tasks that you may need to help your loved one with, it's also important to realize that scientists and researchers have discovered amazing ways to help those with Alzheimer's to have the best possible life and even increase seemingly lost memories:
Securing the Best Quality of Life
In the initial stages of a diagnosis, Alzheimer's patients understandably can spend a great deal of time in worry and anxiety. Although fear about what the future might hold is common, it can detract from the overall quality of the person's life. Instead of enjoying time with family members and friends, hours and days can be wasted in debilitating despair. To counteract these kinds of thoughts, consider suggesting stress relieving techniques to your loved one. Depending on the mobility of the individual, getting involved in yoga, stretching exercises, meditation, or even simply taking anxiety medication can help to ease the stress.
Music Brings Life
In recent years, researchers have discovered the power of music therapy in relation to memories that previously seemed to have been long gone. By simply playing the bands and songs that individuals with Alzheimer's enjoy, researchers found that the person can at times be taken from the fog of their forgetfulness into the years of their youth once again. Hearing a specific song can trigger the memories of the place, emotions, and people who were with your loved one when they first heard that song. The power of music therapy for a person with Alzheimer's is amazing, so be sure to try implementing it as soon as possible!
Reducing Frustrations
When at all possible, try to reduce the frustrations that could present themselves in your loved one's life. You may not be able to avoid every single one, but using the right kind of terminology and limiting distractions can go a long way towards eliminating potential problems. For example, instead of calling an assisted living facility by that name, consider talking about it strictly using terms like "senior club." When making important decisions or attempting to get your loved one to focus on a task at hand, turn off the television and get rid of other distractions that can make the choice or task confusing and frustrating. By doing these simple things, you'll find life (and all of the varied problems a day can produce) a whole lot easier to navigate.
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