For many people, dealing with the loss of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be difficult. We all want to support our loved ones, but it can be challenging at times. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with Alzheimer’s and how it affects the brain. Here are some ways that family’s support for Alzheimer’s can help cope with this disease:
It’s An Emotional Time
It can be a hard time for you, too. You may feel guilty that you’re not able to help your loved one or make them better. You might feel angry and frustrated or sad and confused as they change and become less familiar to you. Even if they don’t understand what’s happening to them, it’s still hard to see someone close to you deteriorate in front of your eyes. You may begin to feel helpless as their behavior becomes more difficult for everyone around them—and sometimes even dangerous for themselves.
If the time comes when your loved one needs more care than either of you can provide at home (such as 24/7 supervision), it’s tempting to think “That’s it! I’ve failed.” But remember: Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t have a cure yet—nor does any other chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure—so this is only part of the journey toward finding appropriate treatment options for your loved one with dementia.
They Might Get Scared And Confused
As your loved one gets further into the disease, they might get scared and confused. They might not understand what is happening to them. This can lead to anger or anxiety, which then causes them to feel like they are a burden on the family.
They might also become depressed or have trouble sleeping at night because they don’t know where or why they’re there. You must talk with them about their fears so you can help them feel safe and comforted during this time of transition in their lives, as well as reassure them that everything will be okay when it comes down to how far along in the life stage someone has reached before Alzheimer’s sets in.
Your Support Eases Their Transition Into A Memory Care Home
Your support is essential to the physical, mental, and emotional health of people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, as well as those providing care. Family support can help ease the transition into a memory care community. It can help you feel more independent and secure in your new environment, which will undoubtedly make it easier for you to provide routine and structure that are so important in these moments.
It Allows You To Understand What They’re Going Through
Supporting someone with Alzheimer’s means being informed about his or her condition. If your loved one has been diagnosed with this disease, it’s important that you understand how it will affect him or her physically and mentally—and how it might impact your relationship going forward. The more knowledgeable you are about Alzheimer’s symptoms (and other forms of dementia), the better equipped you’ll be to offer appropriate guidance and assistance when needed most—and possibly even prevent some problems from occurring altogether!
You can also use your understanding of the disease process to help you be prepared for what’s to come. This means having a good grasp on how the disease progresses and recognizing early symptoms so you can talk to your loved one about it. When they’re still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, they may be unaware that their memory is failing them and will often deny there’s anything wrong. If you’re aware that this is coming, it’ll make it easier for you to understand when they finally realize what’s happening around them—and hopefully, give them more time before they need outside help.
Conclusion
Family support is essential to the physical, mental, and emotional health of people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia and those providing care. The more involved you are in your loved one’s care, the better equipped you’ll be to help them adjust to this new stage of their life. If a Memory Care community seems to best meet their needs, please contact us today! We’d love nothing more than to help families like yours take on this journey together 🙂
