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Ella

How To Talk About Your Alzheimer's Disease

Ella Traver | ElderThink | 10.11.10

 

So you've learned you have Alzheimer's and there are people you need to tell. Begin by telling those who are closest to you and tell them if you need help and how you want to be treated.

 

Alzheimer's involves changes to your body, to your mind, and to your emotions. You should explain this when you talk to your loved ones because they will have to experience all these changes with you.

 

For some time, you will be doing things for yourself and making your own decisions. This will change and there will be opportunities for them to see when you need help. Alzheimer's has a slow progression.

 

The mood swings and outbursts that accompany Alzheimer's are often difficult for those who love you. You need to explain to them that when these things happen, it is the disease talking and in your heart you love them dearly.

 

It will become difficult for you to talk to people because you will forget words or forget the direction your conversation is taking. Your body-language will change too and you will no longer give the subtle signals of love and affection.

 

In the beginning, you will have difficulty understand subtleties such as jokes. You will lose your train of thought often, and become frustrated with any sort of instructions because they will be hard to follow.

 

At some point, you will not be able to drive your car safely, and you may not understand why you have to give up driving.

 

As the disease progresses, you will not be able to understand things you read, you will have trouble following conversations and you may repeat the same phrase or word over and over. You may ramble on about something no one else can understand. You will have trouble recognizing people.

 

Toward the end, you will not understand or recognize the spoken word and your language will not make sense to others.

 

 

You Have Alzheimer's!

ElderThinkerWhat Is It Like To Have Alzheimer's

ElderThinker | ElderThink | 11.11.10

 

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and

that which is wanting cannot be numbered. (Ecclesiastes 1:15)

 

My best friend has Alzheimer's Disease and this is what he told me, word for word:

 

"I admit, at first I thought it was a mistake. I was often annoyed with the darling person who shares my life. I was irritable with her because she was pointing out my problems. I used wrong words. I couldn't finish sentences. Of course she thought I just wasn't paying attention to her.

 

"I'm quite strong so it's easy to think this is all a big error. I shower and dress myself, I use my computer, I watch television and putter around in my workshop. I love and laugh with my wonderful wife and I talk to my family. But there are pieces that have gone wrong.

 

"They didn't want me at work any more. I missed meetings and lost my way during conversations. I sat looking at my desk because I couldn't assemble a report. I became very worried too and that made it worse. So I'm better off staying at home where it is comfortable.

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"I should be able to get past this thing. But it's not like having the flu or an injury. It takes over a little more all the time. I will die from it. I will lose everything I know and know how to do and I will die. I'm so scared. I try not to think about it but it's always there.

 

"And what I'm doing to my wife! I know she will care for me tenderly forever but this is a terrible thing for her and I'm the cause. She makes me laugh, still. She says we must live for each moment. At least she has stopped correcting me when I make a mistake. I love her smile.

 

"Sometimes I just feel like this is the end of everything, but I'm still alive and my days pass and I think they are full. Thinks are just the way they are. The crooked will never be straight. My crooked mind will be what it will be.

 

"Maybe they will find a cure before I have progressed too far. Maybe I won't lose my life before I die after all."

 

Ten Signs of Alzheimer's Alzheimer's Treatments
Alheimer's Research Breakthroughs Is Alzheimer's Inherited? If You Have Alzheimer's
AD & Cholesterol AD & Food AD & Exercise AD & Heart Disease
AD & Immune System AD & Inflammation AD & Insulin AD & Smoking