Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease may bring about changes in some aspects of daily life. But if the person with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and the caregiver work together, it is possible to deal with these changes.
Here are some areas of life that may change:
Routine Activities
Ability to Communicate
Decision-making for the Future
Relationships and Roles
Behavioral Aspects
Changes in Routine Activities
It is important for your loved one to stay involved in meaningful activities every day. That means not only must-do tasks like folding laundry and doing yard work but also leisure pursuits like visiting with friends and listening to music. Developing a daily routine that includes satisfying, meaningful activities is a very important part of staying connected for people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
People with Alzheimer's disease will find that they are able to do some of their favorite activities just as they always have. Other activities may have to be changed slightly. For example, for the person with Alzheimer's disease, changing abilities may mean making activities less complex so that they can still be enjoyed. For the caregiver, changing responsibilities may make it harder to find time for your own interests. But by focusing on things that are enjoyable to both of you, you can find ways to stay connected.
Changes in Ability to Communicate
Communication is vital to our ability to stay connected with others in our lives. Alzheimer's disease does not change the need or desire to communicate. However, it can affect the ways in which we communicate.
People with Alzheimer's disease may find it hard at times to express their thoughts or feelings in words. They may also have difficulty understanding the written or spoken word. These changes can lead to frustration and loneliness at times for both the person with Alzheimer's disease and the caregiver. But it does not have to be that way. There are many steps we can take to change the way we communicate so that we can still get our message across. For instance, use different words to get your message across, and use touch to gently guide them through the action you want them to do.
Changes in Decision-making for the Future
Alzheimer's disease makes it necessary to consider a number of difficult questions about the future. Questions like, Who do I want to make legal and financial decisions for me if I become unable to make them for myself? Who do I want to make choices for me about my healthcare? If I need more help, how do I want it to be provided? And how will it be paid for? A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease only serves to highlight the importance of making these decisions sooner rather than later. Making them together can bring both of you peace of mind.
Changes in Relationships and Roles
Alzheimer's disease can cause certain relationships and roles in your life to change. For example, as Alzheimer's disease progresses, the caregiver may find him- or herself needing to take more of a leadership role than he or she might have been used to. And the person with Alzheimer's disease may have to accept help and assistance, perhaps for the first time. Adjusting to these changes can be hard. Alzheimer's disease generally progresses slowly, so it is usually possible to make the changes little by little. Flexibility is necessary, but that is the case for all successful relationships. If you can remain flexible and keep your partnership in mind, it is likely that you will find new opportunities for shared meaning and closeness.
Changes in Behavioral Aspects
Unusual behaviors may be part of Alzheimer's disease for some people. Mood swings, angry outbursts, restlessness, anxiety, and depression are some of the behaviors that can occur. Some people never develop these symptoms. But when they do occur, they can be upsetting for both the person with Alzheimer's disease and the caregiver. Like every other aspect of the disease, though, this one can be managed if both of you work together.
People with Alzheimer's disease do not behave unusually on purpose, and the unusual behaviors are not their fault. They may be a way of expressing an emotional need. If we look closely at these behaviors, we can often find in them an effort to maintain an important role or to find security, affection, or control. Working together to figure out the underlying need and meet it often takes care of challenging behaviors. And the effort of working together can strengthen your connection.
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