5 Ways to Help a Loved One With Alzheimer’s

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is mentally and emotionally trying. The personality of the person you love will gradually morph into something else, and you will need to make a lot of adjustments to help them in their new normal. You may feel lost and exhausted with an overwhelming need to help your loved one. While the journey will not be an easy one, there are many things you can do to help.

Here are five ways to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

1. Get educated on the disease.

There is a wealth of support and information available for the family and friends of those with Alzheimer’s. Learning everything you can about the disease, its progression, and how to care for someone will help you feel prepared for whatever happens. You can also find support from others who are also caring for someone. Your support network will help you mentally and emotionally get through the major transitions you’ll encounter. Others in your area can help you connect with doctors and resources that understand Alzheimer;’s Disease and can help with some of the challenges you will face.

2. Plan activities that they can handle.

Activities for Alzheimer’s patients need to be at a level that they can handle depending on where they’re at in their progression. You will need to connect to activities they loved but in a way that is safe and feasible for them. For example, while you may not be able to take your loved one to a concert, you can play music for them and dance with them. Walking is also a great activity because it’ll help them to get the exercise they still need while stimulating their minds. Art projects are very stimulating, as is watching family movies. Engaging with them as much as possible will help tremendously.

3. Help them downsize their belongings.

Living independently will stop being an option as they will need 24-hour help and nursing care. You can help them downsize by renting a climate-controlled storage unit for their belongings. Telling them that they need to get rid of their belongings can be highly traumatic. Telling them you’re putting their things into storage for now while they prepare to move will give them peace of mind at the moment. Storing their belongings will also give you more time to decide what needs to be done. A storage facility in your area will allow you to access their items anytime you need to find something packed away.

4. Make sure that they’re insured.

Your loved one will quickly need full-time nursing care for Alzheimer’s disease and any other illnesses that may arise. Ensuring they have adequate insurance will go a long way to help your loved one financially as their care needs will be increasing. A medishare quote through Health Quote Gurus will enable you to compare options and choose the plan that is best suited for your loved one. They make shopping for insurance quick and easy. You can compare premium costs and deductibles to understand what medical expenses your loved one will need to pay.

5. Keep them safe.

As the disease progresses, more and more activities and situations will become unsafe, but your loved one may not be able to recognize the danger, so it’ll be up to you to intervene. For example, driving will no longer be safe, but many older people are resistant to giving up the freedom of driving. Cooking and bathing will pose physical dangers. Although your loved one may be highly resistant to giving up their home, living independently will stop being an option. While you may choose to live with them during the early stages, that will become increasingly difficult as their disease progresses. Then they’ll need more direct care.