Five Tips for Coping with an Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis

Any new health diagnosis is tough for families to weather, especially when seniors are involved. But learning that a senior has Alzheimer’s disease can throw a wrench into the entire family’s idea of what the immediate future might have looked like. Alzheimer’s care providers can be there to offer support for seniors and the family members who love them, ensuring that everyone is prepared for what happens next.

Get Some More Information

The first step for family caregivers is often to get some additional information about Alzheimer’s disease and how medical providers expect it to impact their aging family member. Sometimes family members don’t know a lot about Alzheimer’s disease and have no experience with it firsthand. That can make everything related to caring for someone with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease feel even more overwhelming.

Empathize with Challenges

Seniors newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are going to go through some big changes and experience some significant challenges. Knowing that the family members and friends who love them are willing to approach these challenges with empathy can be incredibly helpful. Home care providers with experience helping Alzheimer’s patience can offer support empathizing with what is happening.

Don’t Give Up Socializing

Often family caregivers find that something has to give. They only have so much time and energy to devote to all of their responsibilities, including caregiving. Unfortunately that means that necessary activities like self-care and socializing with other people may take a back seat. When family caregivers become isolated, it’s much more difficult for them to avoid burning out. Alzheimer’s care providers offer the opportunity for family caregivers to take time away, visit with other people, and know that seniors are in good hands.

Try Journaling

It might sound like a suggestion that wouldn’t do much, but journaling can help family caregivers work through how they’re feeling about a situation, keep track of what helps, and learn more about what doesn’t work. In terms of caring for an aging family member with Alzheimer’s disease, journaling can help family caregivers notice more about how well they’re handling what is going on. They may even start to see places where they can use more help.

Take Time to Relax

Besides socializing, family caregivers need to remember that they have other ways to practice self-care and tend to their emotional needs. Engaging in activities they find relaxing, especially when they’re feeling overwhelmed, helps family caregivers come back to their caregiving duties with a fresh mind and body. Alzheimer’s care providers can help by offering coverage so that family caregivers can take that respite time.

Helping an aging family member deal with a new diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is a complicated situation. At first it may feel impossible, but with support from Alzheimer’s care providers, family caregivers can put a plan together that helps them continue to be there for the seniors they love. As the illness progresses, Alzheimer’s care providers offer more support, ensuring that families have the hands-on and emotional assistance they need.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s care in Hesston, KS, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas today. Call 620-603-0685.

Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas is a Trusted Home Care Agency Barton, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Larned, Lyons, Marion, McPherson, Newton, Pawnee, Rice, Reno, Salina, Sedgwick, Stafford, and the surrounding areas.