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 FREE 15-minute consultation.