If You Have Alzheimer’s Disease - What You Should Know, What You Should Do

Oct. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- According to a new report by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer ’s disease (AD) currently impacts over 5 million Americans and the mortality rate is on the rise as the baby boomer population continues to increase. Alzheimer’s, as we know it, is a progressive and yet fatal brain disease, it is the most common form of dementia and currently has no known cure. The effects are life changing and include a slow decline in memory loss, thinking and reasoning skills.

The Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA) wants to help those individuals who are suffering from this vicious disease cope with the un-settling emotions and life changes that are associated with AD. We have recently released a guide that walks you through the early stages of Alzheimer’s and answers these very important questions:

  What can I do?
  Is what I’m feeling normal?
  How else can I take care of myself?
  What if I live on my own?
  What about the future?
  And more

If you or someone you love suffers from Alzheimer’s, keep the following suggestions in mind:

Excerpt from CSA Handout, If You Have Alzheimer’s Disease:

“While you may clearly remember things that happened long ago, recent events can be quickly forgotten.”

“Suggestions for coping with memory loss”
1.   Keep a book of important notes with you at all times that has:
     a.  Important telephone numbers and addresses, including emergency numbers and your own contact information
     b.  A map showing where your home is
2.   Keep a set of photos of people you see regularly; label the photos with names and what each does

“You may have difficulty understanding what others are saying. You may have trouble finding the right words to express your thoughts.”

“Suggestions for talking to others”
1.  Tell people you have difficulty with thinking, communicating and remembering
2.  Consider with whom you will share your diagnosis – it can be helpful for family and friends to understand your condition
3.  Find a quiet place to converse if loud noises or crowds are bothering you

“The gradual loss of memory can bring new concerns about safety. So, too, can difficulties with decision making and communications.”

“Suggestions for your safety”
1.  Stop driving when it’s no longer safe – Loss of memory can hinder your ability to be a safe driver. You may also become less able to make decisions and react quickly. While it is not easy to give up your license, at some point it will no longer be safe for you to drive.
2.  Consider a companion – The person you live with may worry about leaving you alone for long periods of time. While you may feel you will be fine alone, having a companion can help the time pass more pleasantly. It can also lessen worry for your loved one.

To obtain a free copy of this important handout, please visit the Free Resources section of the CSA website, http://www.csa.us/freeresources.

The Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA), provides free resources and tools for our members as an ongoing commitment that we have in helping professionals to understand the complex and dynamic lives of modern senior citizens.

About SCSA
SCSA’s mission is to educate professionals to work more effectively with their senior clients. For those who work with seniors, this means understanding the key health, social and financial factors that are important to seniors—and how these factors work together. CSAs are able to integrate this into their professional practices, no matter what field they’re in. They’ve learned how incredibly gratifying it is to help seniors achieve their goals, and the seniors they’ve worked with have learned how important it is to work with someone who truly understands their age-related circumstances.  For more information about SCSA and its educational course, please visit http://www.csa.us

Contact:
Erica Ananich, SCSA
(888) 538-2599
society@csa.us


References:

Alzheimer’s Association
http://www.alz.org

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SCSA educates professionals to work more effectively with their senior clients. That means understanding the key health, social & financial factors that are important to seniors — so you can find success in the senior market.