Living with Alzheimer’s: Coping Strategies for Patients and Caregivers

More than six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to double by 2050. The odds are good that you or someone close to you will develop Alzheimer’s during your lifetime. Knowing that, it makes sense to learn what you can about the disease. To help you get started, an Indianapolis attorney at Frank & Kraft discusses coping strategies for patients and caregivers living with Alzheimer’s disease.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Although there has been increased awareness of the existence of Alzheimer’s disease in the past couple of decades, the disease itself was “discovered” over a century ago. Named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of what was viewed as a mental illness that manifested symptoms including memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. Dr. Alzheimer examined the woman’s brain and found many abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles). Along with plaque and tangles, connections between nerve cells are lost in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

For most people, symptoms of Alzheimer’s don’t show up until their mid to late 60s, although there is an early onset Alzheimer’s that can strike as early as your 30s. Because the initial changes in the occur in parts of the brain involved in memory, including the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, problems with memory is one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Later, damage to the cerebral cortex happens, causing problems with language, reasoning, and social behavior. Eventually, the brain is damaged to the point that even the simplest tasks are impossible.

Will I Develop Alzheimer’s Disease?

Unfortunately, we have yet to find a cure for Alzheimer’s nor a way to prevent the disease. Although scientists and doctors have made great strides in identifying risk factors and in managing the symptoms of the disease, Alzheimer’s remains the seventh leading cause of death and is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, according to the National Institute on Aging. Experts tell us that a 65 starts with about a two percent chance of developing Alzheimer’s; however, that risk increases if there is a family history of the disease.

Alzheimer’s Coping Strategies for Patients and Caregivers

Living with Alzheimer’s or caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s can be mentally and physically exhausting. For someone recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, coping strategies include:

• Educate yourself. The adage “knowledge is power” applies. Not knowing what to expect can cause more stress and anxiety than knowing what will happen down the road. Talk to your doctors and educate yourself about Alzheimer’s disease.
• Ensure that your wishes are honored. If you have Alzheimer’s disease, the reality is that the disease will eventually progress. If you have strong feelings about things such as end-of-life care and/or funeral services, now is the time to make sure those wishes are honored by executing an advance directive and updating your estate plan to reflect your wishes.
• Enjoy today. It can take many years for Alzheimer’s disease to progress, meaning you have many days, weeks, and months to that you can enjoy with friends and family.