by Vicki Phipps

Created on: March 14, 2008

The cruelty of Alzheimer's disease requires loved ones to grieve the loss of someone they love long before they are gone. In the mean time, they must deal with the disease itself and how it affects the entire family. Below is a list of useful tips which will help you cope with hope.

EDUCATE THE FAMILY:

Understanding what Alzheimer's is and what it means will be the best place to begin to learn how to deal with the disease. It's a degenerative, progressive disease and destroys the intellect of human beings. Initially, the abnormal behavior won't be any harder to deal with than any other issue in family life, but as time goes by, the spirit of the person inside the Alzheimer's mind will vanish from sight. When the family is aware and prepared, what will come, the issues to deal with will come more easily and peacefully. There are approximately seven stages of the disease, so learn which stage your loved one is in and deal with it accordingly.

MEDICAL ADVICE:

Although there is no cure, the doctor will be able to treat many of the behavioral symptoms with medication and good, sound advice on how to deal with the reality of this disease. With each stage of the disease, it's good to have another evaluation to determine if medication needs changing.

The benefit of mental health physicians can also provide the expertise you'll need in coping and adjusting.

PLAN AND PREPARE:

Be proactive with the knowledge you've gained and prepare accordingly for what is to come eventually. The care-giver's home must be organized with the Alzheimer's reality in mind. In initial stages, it might be helpful to label objects to assist in word retrieval. Later on, the art of simplicity will need to become a part of your world and life. Removing clutter and other distractions will ease you and the loved one through the transition.

SAFETY WILL BE YOUR PRIORITY:

You'll need to look through your home as if to child proof everything. Remove all weapons, including guns, knives and scissors from view, or keep them locked up. The doors to the home will need to be secured at all times, and the kitchen area will need to be closely monitored and rearranged according to the stage of the disease.

Alzheimer's victims tend to wander off when not watched, so you might require outside help when this stage comes.

FIND SUPPORT:

You'll need help from family, friends and neighbors you trust. The more people surrounding your life know about Alzheimer's, the more supported you'll be. Don't be shy about asking for relief

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