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- What is Alzheimer's disease?
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
- Causes of Alzheimer's disease
- Prevention of Alzheimer's disease
- Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease
- Complications of Alzheimer's disease
- When to see a doctor about Alzheimer's disease
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
- Conventional treatment of Alzheimer's disease
- Alternative/complementary treatment of Alzheimer's disease
- Living with Alzheimer's disease
- Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease
Partner
People who have a partner with Alzheimer's disease can help them through the following strategies:
- Asking other family members to help - one person is not enough to take care of someone with Alzheimer's disease, especially when the disease progresses to the late stages, which may require 24 hour care for your partner. If you have other family members, you should ask them to also provide some assistance, when they can, to give you a break and to share the care
- Medical care - it is highly recommended that you (or another close family member) go to the doctors with your partner, to make sure that the appointments are being made on a regular basis, that they have a good duty of care, that their medications are being monitored and that the doctor understands the progression of their disease and can you give the best advice based on this
- Reduce noise and pressure in the home - people with Alzheimer's disease tend to get more agitated, confused and anxious when they are surrounded by a lot of noise or are being pressured or are being pushed to rush anything or even are surrounded by too many people (loud, noisy shopping centres are a very bad idea for people with Alzheimer's disease). Try to be gentle with your partner and let them feel comfortable at home, because when they become upset or very agitated, their ability to think clearly deteriorated even more rapidly
- Support - people with Alzheimer's disease can often experience a wide range of emotions and behaviours, which they may not be able to control. Emotions ranging from rage, anger, irritation, depression, anxiety, fear, uncertainty and confusion. You can help your partner cope somewhat better (at least in the early stages) by reassuring them that you are there to help them, to listen to them and to let them know that they can still enjoy their life. Your partner needs your unconditional love and commitment to treating them with dignity and respect
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Friends
People who have a friend with Alzheimer's disease can help them through the following strategies:
- Helping the family - if you are a close friend, you may be able to reduce the burden on the family at times, by helping to take care of your friend, or take your friend on an outing somewhere they enjoy or to an activity they enjoy. This is a good way to spend some time with your friend and to let their family relax a little
- Support - people with Alzheimer's disease can often experience a wide range of emotions and behaviours, which they may not be able to control. Emotions ranging from rage, anger, irritation, depression, anxiety, fear, uncertainty and confusion. You can help your friend cope somewhat better (at least in the early stages) by reassuring them that you are there to help them, to listen to them and to let them know that they can still enjoy their life. Your friend needs your unconditional love and commitment to treating them with dignity and respect
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< 11: living with Alzheimer's disease Last reviewed: 7 October 2007 || Last updated: 12 March 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
