Question: I have Alzheimer's. How do I cope with the daily challenges of this disease?
If you have Alzheimer's, your daily challenges will change over time, but there are some steps you can take now to help your days go more smoothly, both today and in the future:
Answer:
- Take care of your physical health through good nutrition, plenty of exercise, and adequate rest. Get regular medical check-ups with a professional who has expertise in Alzheimer's disease. Be sure to take medications as prescribed.
- Keep a written schedule handy to keep track of appointments, tasks, and medication regimens.
- Organize your belongings so that things are easy to find. Putting labels on drawers and doors can be helpful for keeping track of things.
- Continue participating in your favorite and regular activities as long as you can, and as long as you still enjoy them.
- Perform difficult tasks at times of the day when you feel your best and most alert. Go easy on yourself, and allow yourself plenty of time to complete the tasks. If a task becomes too difficult, don't hesitate to take a break or ask for help.
- If you're still working, explore potential work options such as a reassignment to a more manageable position, early retirement, or other accommodations.
- Remember that a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease doesn't mean that life is over. It does mean that challenges are ahead, so thinking about those challenges now will better prepare your whole family for them and benefit all of you in the long run.
Sources:
Ten tips for keeping your independence. Alzheimer's Association. 2008. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_10269.asp
What happens next? A booklet about being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. National Institutes of Health. August 2007. http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/65BFAE0E-DE6B-4B18-A6EA-95C356060827/0/What_Happens_Next082207.pdf
