There isn’t a distinct timeline of when Alzheimer’s can rear its head. It can happen at any point in your life, and unfortunately the last person to realize it is often yourself. Early onset Alzheimer’s or Dementia can be found even in your early thirties. There’s no way to stop Alzheimer’s but it can be prevented and treated accordingly, that’s why it’s advised to start sooner rather than later. Prevention beats treatment.
The Truth
Whether it’s from a doctor or a family member, being told you’ve been diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s is a hard pill to swallow. It’s rare that those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s ever realized that they had it in the first place, and that’s why they’re caught off guard and in disbelief. It can start small, like confusing names of children or grandchildren. There might even be a time where grandma might have said the dogs name when referring to you. It happens to the best of us.
However, eventually things escalate. From forgetting names to lacking the ability to remember daily routines or even the function to do these routines. Sometimes people might notice they are beginning to battle memory loss when at work, when activities or tasks are becoming harder to remember and complete correctly. An inability to remember certain activities often occurs. Dementia is never the same for anyone, while one person might remember their entire childhood and everything leading up to five years ago, another person might be forgetful and even make up false stories of childhood or events that occurred years prior.
Since Alzheimer’s is still so unpredictable, no one has figured out the “right” way to tell someone they have it. There have been a few cases where patients act out aggressively or out of character when told they’re diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and then there are others who are in denial. The hard part isn’t telling your friend or family member that they have Dementia, the hard part is keeping them out of denial and in good health.
Be Kind
The biggest mistake made in this trying time is both sides getting frustrated. Of course someone who’s just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will be frustrated and in disbelief, it’s not exactly a disease anyone is aware they’re battling. This can lead to denial, anger, depression, and anxiety. Memory loss does not mix well with either of those things. So when caregivers or family members approach the situation, it’s easy to be frustrated. The trick is to be kind, gentle, and understanding with the patient.
Delivery is key, don’t put someone down or make them feel inferior because they are battling Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Let them know you’re there for them and be patient as they come to terms with the diagnosis. Another way to help in the delivery of this diagnosis is to show consistent support and even research the affects of memory loss. Resources such as videos and books can be helpful as well, for the patient and the caregiver.
Memories are what hold us together and it can be hard to adapt knowing that some day you might forget the most cherished people and the memories that come with them. Be kind to one another, be understanding, and work towards a better quality of life.
Caregiver supplies, products, equipment and devices that help make in home care a little easier for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
