A person in a wheelchair on the street.

Guidelines for a Patient Newly Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

It can be really daunting to find yourself in front of a specialist being diagnosed with a brain disease that you know will eventually steal away your precious memories. The good thing is that there are always ways to keep living normally in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

For those who have just discovered they have Alzheimer’s disease, there are suggestions for dealing with memory impairments and planning for the day. You may detect some changes and notice that remembering things, making judgments, and finding your way around is getting difficult—which can often be frustrating. Thankfully, it’s not impossible to make daily life more manageable.

Below are helpful tips that will help you manage your daily life a little better.

How to Care for Yourself at Home

Shopping, housekeeping, meals, and transportation can all be handled with the support of your doctor, healthcare provider, or a local Alzheimer’s organization. You may request that a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member keep a set of your house keys so they can regularly check on you.

To make it easier to find items, enlist the help of a friend or family member to tidy your closets and drawers. Have easy contact with them by keeping a list of critical and emergency numbers. Afterward, make regular phone calls or visits with family, friends, or a community service organization to assure them and yourself that everything is okay.

A Simple Way to Plan Your Day

Organize yourself. Using a daily planner may assist you in achieving your daily objectives. Then, find activities that you enjoy and that you can do securely. It greatly helps to perform things at times of the day when you are at your most productive.

Allow yourself the time you require to complete the tasks at hand. Never push yourself or allow others to rush you. Take a break if anything becomes too challenging, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance whenever you need it.

Effective Methods to Avoid Getting Lost

When you go out, always invite someone to accompany you. Explain that you have a memory impairment to strangers if you require assistance outside your home. 

Map apps are your greatest assistant aside from an actual chaperone. Set up your home address and target destination using a map app if you have a smartphone. Even better, use the map app’s talking feature to get step-by-step directions.

Things You Can Do to Manage Your Memory Problem

Always carry a notebook to keep track of crucial details such as phone numbers, names, appointments, addresses, and directions to your house.

When you need to remember something, leave notes throughout the house. It’s much easier to leave them on places where specific tasks need to be accomplished. Additionally, describe the contents of cupboards and drawers with words or photos when you’re looking for specific items.

Place important phone numbers next to the phone in large type, and use images of people you see regularly identified with their names.

Set up alarms and calendar alerts on your phone. If you want to be more sure, request a call from a friend or family member to remind you of important reminders, such as meal times, medication times, and appointments. 

How to Communicate Easily

Never feel pressured to overexplain, and always take your time. If you don’t understand something, ask the person you’re speaking with to repeat it or speak more slowly if necessary.

It’s best if you avoid distracting noises and seek a quiet space to speak so that you can organize your thought clearly.

Conclusion

You don’t have to handle every task on your own. Know that you have family and friends that care for you.

You may request that a family member check the house for electrical appliances, smoke alarms, mail, and perishable food items regularly. Make arrangements for cheques, such as your retirement income or Social Security benefits, to be deposited directly into your bank account.

If you can’t keep track of your accounts and keep records, let your bank know because people with Alzheimer’s disease may be eligible for special services. Besides managing your daily chores, don’t forget to consult with your doctor.

If you’re looking for telepsychiatric services in Londonderry to help you cope with your new situation, Amodeus Healthcare is here for you. We offer an easier solution through our medical and psychiatric services. Contact us today for a consultation.