Alzheimer’s Facts and Dementia Key Principles

There are a variety of Alzheimer’s facts and dementia key principles to remember. They include:

• Alzheimer’s is a progressive physiological degenerative brain disease and it is irreversible. It is a disease that affects the caregiver as well as the patient.
• Alzheimer’s is often called a family disease because it not only takes a toll on the person living with the disease but also on the caregiver (you) and you need to be as well prepared for this journey as possible.
• The more knowledgeable and educated you become about the progression of the disease…. the better prepared you will be to deal with the demands and challenges that occur.
• Alzheimer’s robs your loved one of their abilities and their needs increase as the disease progresses. Your role as a caregiver becomes more and more demanding as your loved one’s needs increase.
• You are just as important as your loved one. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be incredibly taxing, time consuming, and demanding; therefore, it is equally as important to take care of yourself as it is to take care of your loved one.
• Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a process and you will learn as you go along. Sometimes figuring out what works is by learning from what doesn’t work.
• There is not a one size fits all Alzheimer’s/Dementia care protocol that works best for everyone – the best care protocol is what works for you and your loved one.
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia disease force you to make some difficult decisions, such as, whether to treat a potentially life threatening disease or whether to place your loved in a care community or provide 24 hour care at home.
• Eventually your loved one will need total care and you will become the one to make ALL of the decisions – medical, financial, living arrangements, end of life etc.
• As the caregiver…..the ultimate goal is to survive this journey…. the best you can… without it being at the expense of your physical, mental and emotional well-being.

These Alzheimer’s facts and dementia key principles will help you in your caregiver journey.

If you need dementia caregiver support, please join my dementia support group or schedule your 30-minute consultation.