If your family has been impacted by a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, it can feel pretty overwhelming to everyone involved. And, you’re not alone. More than six million American are living with Alzheimer’s, and over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people living with the disease or other dementias.

Along with the diagnosis, there are a lot of questions and concerns about what you can do to support your parent, partner or family member. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the first step is to educate yourself. Two of the best resources are the Alzheimer’s Association website and the Mayo Clinic website.

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Understand the impact to your loved one and extended family

These websites, along with other information, can help you understand how the disease progresses and how to interact with the person who is living with the disease. An early diagnosis may mean that the person may be able to retain some type of independence while someone further down the continuum may need more assistance.

Some family members may take longer to process the diagnosis than others. Remember that you are all on the same team and want to do the right thing. Be flexible and patient with others – and yourself – as you navigate this new territory.

Read our blog “Is It Alzheimer’s or Old Age” for more information on Alzheimer’s.

Create a plan

Once you figure out how much support the person with Alzheimer’s may need, you will need to put together a care plan. This should include medical assistance, as well as appropriate social interactions, safety precautions and plans for the future. Look for resources in your community and through your health provider.

Ask for help

While you’re doing this, you can create a support system. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s could mean a large amount of caretaking and no one can do it all alone. The sooner you reach out to friends, family and medical professionals, the better it will be for everyone involved.

You can also get creative with your support system. One sister may be happy to cook meals and do the dishes, while a family friend is the perfect person to engage the person with dementia in a craft or activity such as a walk. Ask people and see how they would like to help. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to groups that provide respite care or professional assistance. Everyone needs a break from caregiving at one time or another.

Practice self-care

Support for progressive memory loss is a big task and you need to make sure you are taking care of yourself as well as the person with Alzheimer’s. Try to get enough rest and eat healthy meals (and maybe a few favorite treats) to keep up your energy. Take time out to read a book or watch a television show to relax. Socialize with family and friends. It’s all important for both your mental health and will help you be refreshed and re-charged so you can keep on providing care to your parent, partner or loved one.

At WayForth, we are focused on supporting families as they move through the various chapters in their life. Our team is committed to the people and communities we serve and proud to be part of the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the various markets we serve.