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Tips for Addressing Reactions to the Diagnosis
- Emotional reactions to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another form of dementia may include: depression, denial, anxiety and fear, isolation and loneliness, embarrassment and shame, feelings of loss.
- Acknowledge feelings and provide an opportunity to talk and ask questions.
- Refer the individual and their family to an Alzheimer's Association support group.
- Assess for depression and/or suicidal thoughts.
- Noticeable changes in functioning affect both the individual and caregiver.
- Short term counseling and medications may be helpful in some cases.
- Refer families to a physician knowledgeable in dementia for evaluation and treatment.
- Encourage the diagnosed individual and the caregiver to take care of his or her physical and mental health.
- Alzheimer's disease can cause stress in relationships between diagnosed individuals, caregivers, family, friends and colleagues.
Early-stage individuals may experience
- Feelings of people trying to help too much or too little
- Role changes in relationships with family and friends
- Anxiety over whom to tell about the diagnosis
- Increased or decreased sexual desire
- Feelings of not being understood by others
- Problems trusting their own decisions
- Family and friends withdrawing or avoiding them
- Difficulty interacting in social settings
- Increased anxiety over legal and financial issues
Caregivers may experience
- Role changes within the relationship often accompanied by feelings of guilt
- Anxiety over whom to tell about the diagnosis
- Changes in sexual relationship
- Feeling misunderstood by friends and family, which may lead to isolation
- Increased stress over caregiving responsibilities
- Anxiety over legal and financial issues
- Feelings of grief and loss
- Fear of what physical and behavioral changes may happen to their loved one
Tips for Addressing Relational Issues
- Help families talk about the changes they are experiencing and how they feel.
- Refer the individual and their families to support groups to share their feelings and to develop new supportive relationships.
- Include the individual with Alzheimer's in the decision-making process as much as possible.
- Encourage openness with friends and family about the changes that are taking place.
- Refer individuals and families to the Alzheimer's Association for information on legal and financial issues and resources which can provide assistance.
- Refer families to an elder law attorney for legal and financial planning.
- Refer families to a care manager to learn about care options in the community.
- Suggest families enroll in the Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return Program.
- Discuss and explore alternative care and housing options such as home care, adult day care, assisted living and nursing facilities before they are needed.
Because scientists and physicians are still unsure exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease, there are limited options for treatment of the disease itself. Although no cure for Alzheimer's disease is yet available, medical and social management of the disease can ease the burdens on the patient and his or her caregiver and family.
To date there are three FDA-approved drugs for treatment of Alzheimer's disease " tacrine (Cognex®), donepezil (Aricept®) and rivastigmine (Exelon®) " and several others in clinical trials, including Memantine. Ask your doctor about the risks, benefits and efficacy of each. You may also want to discuss with your doctor alternative therapies which may include Vitamin E, certain forms of Gingko, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen).
Many of the behavioral symptoms can be managed with adjustments in the environment. We can send you information on responding to challenging behaviors, steps to planning activities and/or assisting with personal care. Sometimes, a judicious use of medications is appropriate. Talk to your doctor about the use of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic medications if symptoms become challenging to manage.
Click the link below to download a .PDF file containing the Alzheimer's Disease Medication Fact Sheet.
Medication Fact Sheet
Vision statement
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