If You Have Alzheimer's
Introduction
Coping with memory loss
Coping with your feelings
Planning for the future
Introduction
Alzheimer's disease causes gradual, irreversible changes in the brain. These changes cause problems with memory and decision making. You may be worried or anxious about the changes you've noticed so far.
Here are tips to help you increase your comfort, allow you to remain active and help you cope – and make your years ahead the best they can be.
Coping with memory loss
While you may clearly remember things that happened long ago, recent events can be quickly forgotten. You may have trouble keeping track of time, remembering people and finding the right words.
Tips:
- Keep a notebook with you that has people's names, telephone numbers and addresses, including your own.
- Label cupboards and drawers with words or pictures that describe their contents, such as dishes and silverware or sweaters and socks.
- Keep a set of photos of people you see regularly; label the photos with names and what each does.
Coping with your feelings
Living with the changes caused by Alzheimer's disease can bring about many unfamiliar emotions. These feelings are a normal response to the disease.
Tips:
- The disease can make you feel as if you are losing control. Telling those around you how you feel may give you comfort.
- Feeling angry is OK. Sometimes being part of a support group or talking to a counselor who knows about Alzheimer's disease can help.
- You may feel sadness when faced with the changes that the disease brings to your life. It may help to spend time with friends or family or to do something you enjoy.
Planning for the future
The symptoms you are experiencing will gradually worsen and you will need more help. There is no way to predict how or when this will happen. Make decisions about your living arrangements and legal and money matters as early in the course of the disease as possible.
Tips:
- Talk to your family about where you want to live, and with whom, to prepare for the time when you will need more care.
- Make sure your money matters are in the hands of someone you trust, like your spouse, your child or a close friend.
Consider naming a person to make healthcare decisions for you when you are unable to do so. This person should know your wishes about your health care and future living arrangements.
Next: Caregivers
簡介
應對記憶喪失
應對您的情感
制訂未來計劃
簡介
阿滋海默症會逐漸導致大腦發生不可逆轉的變化。這些變化會導致記憶力和做決定的能力出現問題。您可能會對迄今您注意到的變化感到擔心或憂慮。
以下提示將協助您獲得更大的安慰，使您保持積極的心態，以及協助您應對困境 – 並可使您延長壽命。
應對記憶喪失
儘管您可能清楚地記得很久前發生的事情，但最近的事件您可能會很快忘記。您可能難以記住時間和人以及找到恰當的詞語。
提示：
- 隨身帶著記錄別人（包括您自己的）姓名，電話號碼和地址的筆記本。
- 在櫥櫃和抽屜上標記說明它們內容的單詞或圖片，例如盤子和銀器，或運動衫和襪子。
- 保留您經常看到的人的一系列相片；在相片上標記姓名以及每個人是做什麼的。
應對您的情感
生活中阿滋海默症導致的變化會產生許多不熟悉的情感。以下感覺是對該疾病的正常反應。
提示：
- 該疾病會使您感到自己就像是失控了。將您的感受告訴周圍的人會使您感到安慰。
- 感到生氣不要緊。有時參加支援小組或告訴顧問誰瞭解阿滋海默症會有所協助。
- 當面對該疾病給您生活造成的變化時您可能感到悲傷。花時間與朋友或家人待在一起或做些喜歡的事情可能有所協助。
制訂未來計劃
您正在遇到的症狀將逐漸惡化，您將需要更多協助。無法預測這種情況將如何或何時發生。在患該疾病過程中盡可能早地決定您的生活安排以及法律和財產事項。
提示：
- 告訴您的家人您想住哪，和誰一起住，以便在您需要更多護理時使他們做好準備。
- 確保使您的財產事項掌握在您信任的人手中，例如您的配偶，子女或密友。
考慮指定某人在您無法做決定時替您做出醫療保健決定。此人應知道您對醫療保健和未來生活安排的願望。
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