Page 17 - Boca ViewPointe - October '20

October 2020 Viewpointe, Page 17
Alzheimer’s Disease:

You, Your Family And Your Health Care Team

Submitted by Stratford Court ask your health care provider: caregivers and health care professionals are best able to
• How do you manage questions from caregivers? develop a treatment plan that best serves the needs of
Finding a doctor you like • Within what time frame do you generally return everyone involved.
Because of the slow, long-term nature of Alzheimer’s phone calls? By keeping a diary or observation log, caregivers
disease (AD), it is extremely important that caregivers and • How often do you schedule examinations for AD can provide valuable information about changes in or
patients find a health care professional they are able to patients and their families? patterns of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, reactions
understand, trust, and work comfortably with over time. • What arrangements do you prefer for payment: are and responses to medications and shifts in ability to
Both caregivers and patients will need a physician who you flexible about this? perform activities of daily living. In addition to medical
not only knows about the special needs and stresses of • What other therapies do you recommend beyond management, a comprehensive treatment plan will include
AD, but also one who is available and accessible. traditional medications? strategies for dealing with deteriorating psychological
To this end, caregivers should take the time to develop • Are you involved with clinical trials in this area of and social skills. A complete team may include a social
a list of questions to ask their prospective doctors about medicine? worker, physical therapist, psychologist, home health
the treatment and management of AD. Caregivers should Developing a treatment plan together aide, dietitian, “Elder Law” attorney and clergy — any of
not be afraid to ask tough questions about quality of care. Caregivers may rely on the expertise of health care whom would be helpful at different stages of the disease
Tough questions providers, but health care providers also rely heavily on process.
Here are some suggested questions you may want to the observation skills of caregivers. Working together, Communicating with family
Breaking this kind of news is never easy: Is it better
to make a phone call? Convene a family meeting? Share
books and videos? Write letters? Log onto e-mail? You
may have to do all of these things. Remember that
everyone has a different learning style or way of receiving
information.
In addition, responses will vary depending on the
relationship of the person with AD to others who need
to understand what is going on. It stands to reason that a
spouse will have different concerns and reactions from
someone whose parent, grandparent, in-law, or uncle is
diagnosed with AD. Making decisions about who needs
to know, and when, is part of appropriate communication.
Shielding certain family members may or may not make
sense. A social worker, counselor, psychologist, clergy
member, or primary care physician can help families
negotiate the communication process.
At least, the caregiver can assure other family
members or friends that the disease advances slowly,
allowing time to make plans to support the patient and
each other during what will be a difficult, draining
experience — both physically and emotionally.
As the reality of the diagnosis sets in:
1. Everyone should try to become as knowledgeable
as possible about AD. AD advocacy organizations have
useful materials for families.
2. Prospective caregivers will have a variety of
feelings and responses. It’s common for family members
to have a variety of reactions, or go through stages of
denial, fear, and anger following diagnosis. Some family
members may simply refuse to accept the diagnosis for
a long time.
3. There may be family members who, because of
temperament, age, or life skills, will not be able to pitch
in to the extent that the primary caregiver may want.
Knowing and accepting this in advance will reduce family
frictions and lingering resentments.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be
challenging. At Sunrise Senior Living communities, our
compassionate and well-trained team members can offer
advice about how to meet the needs of your senior loved
one as well as provide helpful information for caregivers.
And, at many of our locations, we offer support groups
for caregivers.

Reprinted with permission from Janssen Pharmacuetica.
Sunrise does not endorse Janssen Pharmacuetica or
any product or service offered by Janssen Pharmacuetica.
This article is presented for informational purposes.
This article does not provide medical advice and is
not intended to substitute for professional healthcare
treatment. Contact your doctor if you have any questions
about your medical condition. 

Attention

Dog Owners

It is your responsibility
to pick up after your
dog. It’s the law. Some
of you have been
negligent in doing so.

Please keep our
Boca Pointe community beautiful!