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[From
the Shared Experiences: Suggestions for those with
Alzheimer's disease booklet and audiotape by the Alzheimer
Society of Canada. To get a copy, contact your local
Alzheimer Society.]
Focusing
On What You Can Do
One
way to cope with the changes is to focus on what you
are still able to do, and to continue to participate
in activities that are meaningful to you. There may come
a time when you will have to accept help from family
members and friends. If you let them know what is needed,
they can assist in maintaining your independence.
Some
changes you will experience
Memory
loss
You
may find that you do not remember a person's name at
the time, but the name comes to you later. Or you start
talking to someone and in mid-sentence you forget what
you were talking about.
Communication
problems
You
may find yourself reaching for a word but it is not there.
Or you intend to say one word but a different word comes
out.
Difficulty
performing tasks
You
may find yourself getting frustrated trying to do things
you used to be able to do, like following a recipe, using
woodworking or craft tools, turning on the correct burner
on the stove, balancing a cheque-book.
Disorientation
or confusion about time and place
One
person experiencing time disorientation speaks of showing
up at church an hour early. Another person with place
disorientation is hesitant to take buses for fear of
getting off at the wrong stop.
Visual
perception problems
You
may be looking straight at an object, but you cannot
identify it. For example, with money, you may have difficulty
telling one coin from another.
Spatial
perception problems
You
may have difficulty walking up and down stairs because
you are misjudging the height of the stairs or the distance
between them.
Poor
or decreased judgment
When
judgment is affected in Alzheimer's disease, you may choose
clothing that is not appropriate for the weather. Or
not understand why it may not be safe for you to continue
driving.
Changes
in mood and behaviour
It
is natural to feel anxious, irritable and moody at times
as you cope with the changes in your skills and abilities.
Some people may also find that their personality is changing.
As one person describes it, "You don't smile like
you used to."
Changes
in physical abilities
Alzheimer's disease can affect your physical co-ordination. For instance,
you may not be able to get your arm into a shirtsleeve.
Some
suggestions for adjusting to changing abilities
We
asked individuals living with Alzheimer's disease for their
advice on how to adjust to changing abilities. Here are
some of their suggestions:
- "Write
things down in a notebook when you are in a conversation."
- "Use
Post-it Notes."
- "Do
one thing at a time."
- "Use
loud, noisy timers to remind you that you have something
on the stove."
- "Take
your time and tell others to give you time."
- "Don't
be shy to ask for help."
- "Keep
busy. Find things to do that you enjoy."
- "If
you no longer enjoy reading, try talking books, audiotapes
and videotapes."
- "If
church services are too crowded, find out which services
have less people."
- "Join
a support group. You can commiserate with others. It
reduces the isolation."
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