It is my pleasure to host this guest post today on the important topic of how to help our loved ones with Alzheimer's cope with and understand a death in the family.
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of
Americans, and even with all the studies that have been done surrounding its
effects on the brain, it’s still nearly impossible for doctors to agree on one
method of treatment. It’s a disease that changes from person to person;
everyone is affected in a different way, in varying stages, and no one is quite
sure how best to cope with it.
When an individual with Alzheimer’s loses a loved
one--especially if it was a spouse or primary caregiver--it can be overwhelming
to try and help them understand that loss. They may feel grief
during lucid moments but forget the death even happened on the bad days and
still speak of their loved one as if they’re still alive. It can be an
extremely confusing time for everyone, including the people who care about the
individual and want to help them stay comfortable during such a difficult
battle.
While there’s no one way to help an individual
with Alzheimer’s cope and heal, there are some things you can do to help boost
their physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are a few of the best.
Reduce
stress
Living with an illness like Alzheimer’s can cause
stress for both the individual and their caretakers, so it’s important to try
and make life as easy and comfortable as possible. This means making home
modifications to increase safety and ease of mobility; refraining from making
any changes that might cause confusion; and making daily life as smooth as
possible. Particularly if your loved one has recently lost a spouse, they may
need their home to be more accessible and safe. Some home modifications are
easy to do and don’t cost much to carry out, while others can run thousands of
dollars and require a professional. Read on here to find out more about these
modifications and which ones are right for your loved one.
Make
informed decisions
It’s a good idea to talk to your loved one’s
doctor about whether or not it’s appropriate to talk about a death in the family openly.
People who are in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease will likely not
understand, while those in the early stages may be extremely upset by the news.
Talk to the doctor for insight into whether or not your loved one can handle
grief at this stage and how best to break the news.
Help them
build cognitive strength
Individuals who are battling Alzheimer’s disease
often benefit from playing brain games, such as the ones that can be found
online or via various apps for smartphones and tablets. These games help
improve coordination and memory in seniors and are easy to use; a few minutes
per day can be a great brain workout. Go here for more info. Additionally, music can bring many benefits. Ideas and evidence for using music for cognitive strength can be found HERE.
Find ways
to boost their mental health
Reducing stress and anxiety is a big start, but
you can also look for ways to boost memory function, such as engaging with your
loved one by putting together a favorite puzzle, or looking through old
photographs from when they were younger. Music is a wonderful way to help jog the
memory, so think about what your loved one’s favorite tunes might have been
when they were a teenager and play them often.
--> Keeping your loved one safe and happy during such a difficult time can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Talk to the doctor about the best ways to make a difference and how to ensure their physical, mental, and emotional health are well taken care of.
Karen Weeks created ElderWellness.net as a resource for seniors who wish to keep their minds, bodies, and spirits well.
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