When the Diagnosis of Your Loved One is Alzheimer’s Disease
One of the worse diagnosis you can hear about your parent is they have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s can’t be cured but it can be paused or slowed down. This gives your parent more time for independent living and make decisions affecting the remainder of their life. So, if you’re concerned that your parent might be showing signs of memory loss, there are some things you can look for.
The thing about Alzheimer’s is that it affects each person differently. How it affects one person may not be the way if affects your parent. One sign is if your parent if forgetting something that happened recently. Or maybe they’re forgetting an important event they have always look forward too. Perhaps they’re starting to write everything down because they can’t remember dates, times or lists of items.
Too, your parent is having trouble keeping their checkbook up to date or there’s mistakes in the math. Your parent may be having difficulty accomplishing what used to be a simple task for them. Or, repeating the same story again and again, calling objects by the wrong name or having a problem following a conversation.
Another sign could be misplacing things by putting them in an unusual place. Or can’t find a lost item or accusing another family member of stealing it or hiding it.
When it’s Time for a Diagnosis
Talking to your parent about going to a doctor to get a diagnosis isn’t always easy. Your parent may be worried too but ignoring the issues. Depending on how the interworking of your relationship is with your parent, will depend on how you approach the topic. Have you and your parent always been up front with each other? Will your parent be insulted if you being the topic up?
Studies have shown if you don’t discuss the disease, your parent may become fearful and paranoid. If you bring it up in an honest discussion and reassure your parent, then the discussion will go better. One common fear of a person who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is not only the fear of forgetting loved ones but being forgotten by them. By reassuring your parent that you’ll be there for them goes a long way in easier this form of anxiety.
Going to the Doctor
Getting your parent to go to the doctor for a diagnose isn’t always easy. But you can mention that sometimes the symptoms they’re experiencing could be from another cause. Some medication reactions can cause Alzheimer like symptoms as well as something as simple as a urinary tract infection. The only way to find out is to go to the doctor and be tested.
When the Diagnosis is Alzheimer’s
When the bad news is what you expected, your parent will most likely be upset. By finding out if it’s in the early stages can help your parent make intelligent decisions about legal, medical, care, and financial care.
In addition, your parent may experience anger, frustration, sorrow, anger and disappointment. Be sure to be available to listen and allow your parent to express their feelings. Watch for non-verbal signs as well and respond with love and reassurance. If you notice your loved one becoming withdrawn or depressed, you may want to seek their doctor’s advice. Your parent has the right to know why the changes are happening. By being there for them and getting your parent to go to the doctor, help can be received.
Remember, Alzheimer’s can’t be cured but the disease can be slowed down with early treatment.
