How To Support Someone With Alzheimer’s Disease

Imagine waking up this morning in an unknown location, surrounded by people you have never seen before and the only information you know is your name. And this does not just occur for one day, it is every day. This is one of many perspectives that someone with Alzheimer’s Disease experiences daily. Not only does this disease affect the individual, but it also affects the person’s loved ones’ daily interactions and overall outlook on life as the person they care for is slowly losing themselves. This piece is meant to provide tips to those with Alzheimer’s Disease, but before touching base on these tips, what exactly is Alzheimer’s Disease?

(Source: Alzheimer’s Association)

        The Alzheimer’s Associations defines this debilitating disease as a form of dementia that inhibits people’s memory, thinking, and overall behavior. What makes this disease so complex is that symptoms worsen over time and it can start at any age. Typically, we believe that Alzheimer’s affects people over the age of 65, nevertheless, some may be diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s before 65. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, roughly 200,000 Americans under 65 have been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. But what happens in the brain to cause this? Prior to the first known symptoms, Alzheimer’s Disease causes the brain to experience minor microscopic changes in the way our nerve cells work together. Over time, these changes begin to damage the cell’s designated purpose, ultimately leading them to die. This is where Alzheimer’s creates significant irreversible damage because once a cell dies, it cannot simply be reborn again.

(Source: National Institute of Aging)

As a result, a vast amount of symptoms begin to arise. Some of these symptoms, reported by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, include:

  • Becoming easily upset, angry, or stressed.

  • Acting depressed or demonstrating no interest in things.

  • Hiding or believing other people are hiding things.

  • Imagining things that are not there.

  • Wandering away from home.

  • Pacing frequently.

  • Demonstrating abnormal sexual behavior.

  • Exhibiting violent behavior on yourself or others.

  • Inability to understand what you see or hear.

  • Not caring about your appearance (not bathing, wearing the same clothes, etc.).

  • New health-related problems, such as illness, pain, or lack of sleep, infections, constipation, hunger or thirst, or problems seeing or hearing.

  • Too much noise creating frustration and confusion.

  • Mirrors cause the person to think the mirror image is another person in the room.

(Source: Roche)

        With a general understanding of how Alzheimer’s Disease works, it is evident that the way people help how these people function daily can determine whether their life is surrounded by frustration or true support. Therefore, maximizing one’s time with this disease is quintessential. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides the following tips in order to help someone with Alzheimer’s to the best of your ability:

  • Keep things simple by asking or doing things one step at a time.

  • Create a consistent daily routine so the person is aware of when things will happen.

  • Reassure the person that they are safe and you are there to help.

  • Focus on the person’s emotions, such as saying “You seem worried.”

  • Don’t argue or try to reason with the person.

  • Do not display your frustration or anger.

  • For those who pace often, find them a safe location to walk around and provide comfortable sturdy shoes. You should also give them light snacks to eat and water to drink as they walk, so they don’t lose too much weight.

  • Utilize music, singing or dancing to distract the person.

(Source: Community Care Physicians)

        Similar to any mental illness, Alzheimer’s Disease is not simple to tackle and should not be done alone. If you or someone you love is believed to have Alzheimer’s Disease, seek out professional and utilize some of these resources listed below: