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condition, the following recommendations for your personal life should also be considered:

* Communicate openly with your spouse and children. As the disease progresses there will be many changes to prepare for in advance. Address your children's concerns. In addition to the fear of losing you, they are also afraid of contacting the disease themselves.

* Talk openly with your employer. Let him know early on that you want to work as long as possible, even if it means shortened days and lightened workload. It is in your best interest to continue normal activity for as long as possible. When the decision is made to discontinue work, take advantage of all employee benefits and early retirement packages offered.

* Plan ahead for financial needs in the future. Update and keep accessible all important documents. Have a current medical directive and living will. Decide if you will be cared for at home or in a nursing home in the later stages. Many early onset Alzheimer's patients opt for nursing home care so their children's lives can continue with as much normalcy as possible.

These are difficult decisions to face and accomplish, but a realistic attitude and plan will decrease anxiety. You will want to have as much quality and quantity time with your loved ones as possible.

Treat the knowledge of your condition as a gift which enables you to truly live each day as if it were your last.

Life may have given you a lemon, but with prudent planning, there is no reason you cannot enjoy as much lemonade as you can consume.

Sources:

"There's Still A Person In There", The Complete Guide to Treating and Coping with Alzheimer's, by Castleman, Naythons and Gallegher

"The 36 Hour Day", A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer's, by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins

Learn more about this author, Carol Gioia.
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