If you are the primary caregiver for someone recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This is a difficult illness to handle, and helping your loved one cope with this disease can be a challenging task. However, by following the three tips below, you will have the best chance of helping your loved one manage their day-to-day life:

Establish a Schedule

In order to make your loved one's day-to-day life as easy as possible, you should look to incorporate a rigorous daily schedule. Although your family member is suffering from a very debilitating illness, they are still able to follow routines, and they will find comfort in having a regular schedule throughout their daily life.

Your loved one's interest and alertness will vary throughout the day, but even this will follow a somewhat regular schedule. Some patients with Alzheimer's are more refreshed in the morning, so it is best to schedule hospital appointments and other active tasks for this period. Others may take longer to waken up in the morning, so you may be better having a slow morning with a couple of hours of activities in the early afternoon. Whatever your family member's specific preferences are, make sure you build their daily routine with their specific needs in mind, as this will help them remain calm and aware, ensuring their comfort going forward.

Learn as Much as You Can

Alzheimer's disease is a particularly difficult illness to manage, so it is important that you learn as much about the disease as possible in order to give your loved one a good level of assistance. This means learning more than what your loved one will require on a day-to-day basis. Rather, you should research the different stages of the illness and how your family member's condition is likely to progress over time. This will give you the best chance to put a system in place to alleviate their discomfort and give them the most enjoyable life possible.

Although it is desirable to learn as much as possible about the illness, it is important to recognize your own limitations and seek help when required. Due to the difficulty in managing Alzheimer's disease, it can be an extremely stressful time for you as the primary caregiver. As such, you need to be able to recognize when you are at your limits and who you can look to for assistance in these times. Speak to a qualified professional at a home health care service if you require assistance, as they will be able to offer help with caring for your family member.

Communicate Clearly with Others

When you are the sole caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's, it is important to communicate clearly with those around you. Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, you should take the time to talk clearly to your loved one about the disease and how they are coping. Of course, you need to remain sensitive to their emotions and ensure that you do not come across as harsh and frustrated. Rather, you should have an open dialogue with your family member to give them a chance to discuss their feelings and ensure their needs are addressed.

You should also communicate clearly with other family members and friends so that you don't become overburdened by your responsibility. Airing your difficulties and worries with other concerned family members can help lighten the load you are carrying, which will help you cope better with the situation. Remember—Alzheimer's is a condition that not only affects those that are suffering from the illness, but also those that are close to the person suffering. As such, asking your friends and family for support or to listen to your concerns will help you going forward.  

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