by Bernie

Created on: May 10, 2008

Alzheimer's works on the memory very slowly at first, you notice small things your love one remember, like where is my keys, or did i do my wash, or what did i do with my medication, did i lock my door and what time is my doctor appointment.

Then in time it get a bit more, like what time did i eat breakfast or what did i eat for breakfast, what day is it or month, or do I know how to play gin rummy, or bingo.

Your love one would grab the television remote and keys and put it on the bookcase or table and forget where they put it, or they take the cane and put on door knob and forget it.

Then it get to a point of having a person with them all the time.

You always have to keep an eye on them and remind them to do thing like , take your medication, or bath, ask them if they need to use the bathroom, you would have to switch from underwear to pull ups or briefs, they might not remember if they used the bathroom and make a mess.

You would have to help them get dressed , brush there hair, and teeth, help them with showers and baths.

Your love one cant go anywhere alone they can get lost very easy and they can also get hurt.

A love one with Alzheimer's and there memory lost, just make there life easy as possible by helping them with their chores , like cleaning house, doing dishes and more,

Tell them you love them, let them know you are there all the time ,watch television with them, hold there hands, read to them there favorite book, both look at magazines together.

Do exercises with them so they don't get stiff muscles

When your loves one talks make talks help them with there sentences so you both can understand each other.

Play some games together like match games , like matching pictures that will be fun with them.

Put items up enough for them to reach out there arms to get it, and put it back.

If your love one starts moving slow or stops talking and starts staring into space, then watch them closely and contact there doctor because they might need change in medication, or the doctor might just say to make them comfortable, or even might request for you to think about a nursing home or a caregiver ( babysitter for seniors) so you can have some time to your self and take care of some errands.

If you decide to use the nursing home you are opening a whole new world for your love one and for you. what this means you have to sell what belong to them unless you have your name on it also, you can keep a small percentage of there money the rest goes to the home.

Your love one might except the fact that will be there home and You will visit , and when it is time to go they stay. that can make them give up and let go or they might be OK with it.

Don't let them give up, keep up with them, let them know you are there and you will never leave them no matter what.

Learn more about this author, Bernie.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.