When Alzheimer’s disease is at its early stage, most people can still function independently . They could still participate in social events or charity. As a primary caregiver, you have to be a companion and offer assistance in any way you can.
Alzheimer’s disease affects not only the people living with the disease but all those who love and care for them. The early stage of Alzheimer’s disease refers to the people in the initial phase of this disease. This stage can go on for many years.
As a caregiver for a person living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, you need to be patient and resilient. Here are some tips that will guide you on your duties as their caregiver.
1. Get the Right Balance
One primary challenge caregivers face is not knowing how much help they need to provide because in the early stage of Alzheimer’s, the person is still at a reasonable level of independence. Your approach as a caregiver should be to offer a new or better adapting mechanism that will help improve independence. With tasks , they’d prefer to carry out independently , be sure it does not pose any risk, then monitor and encourage them as appropriate. Notwithstanding, the most effective way to know how and when to be of assistance is to ask directly. That way, you both can come up with a plan on how best to complete the task.
2. Focus on Improving Independence
A person living with Alzheimer’s might need clues and hints to help remember things. As a caregiver, it is up to you to find a way to help with something they might have trouble in, such as:
• remembering past events
• recalling words or names
• following up on medications
• organizing and scheduling
Work on maximizing their strengths while building a solid connection between the both of you.
3. Deal with the Emotional Phase
It is essential to understand that assisting is not an overnight process as a caregiver . People living with Alzheimer’s usually experience anxiety and denial. Try to help them identify the different emotions they’re feeling and encourage them to express their concerns and spend time in reality.
4. Improve Their Quality of Life
Caregivers have an essential part in helping people with Alzheimer’s disease live a healthy life for as long as possible. This can be achieved by keeping them engaged with physical, non-strenuous activities, providing highly nutritious and well-balanced meals, and maintaining a routine that encourages quality sleep.
5. Be Regularly Updated on Helpful Resources
As humans, learning is an unending process, more so as a caregiver. The more knowledge you have on the disease equips you on better ways to handle and care for a person living with it. It also helps build your confidence and prepares you ahead on what to expect.