September is World Alzheimer’s Month. We thought we would put together some information about Alzheimer’s to share throughout this month. In this post, we’re looking at how we can live well with Alzheimer’s disease.
Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can bring uncertainty, change, and worry. Everyday tasks may become more challenging over time, but many people continue to enjoy meaningful, fulfilling lives for many years. Living well with Alzheimer’s isn’t about ignoring the challenges; it’s about finding the right support, making adaptations and changes where needed; and focusing on what matters most to you.
Everybody’s journey with Alzheimer’s is different, and people generally start to notice changes over time. Some people may notice they’re struggling with their memory, or that things that they were once passionate about no longer interest them. Routine things may seem more complicated and confusing, and some people may find managing money becomes more difficult. This can make us feel ashamed or embarrassed, and may lead to us covering up mistakes or difficulties we might experience.
One of the most important steps to living well is recognising when we need to do things differently, and when we might need help. It might help to think of things that you are finding more challenging now, and what can be put in place to help. Some people find using Post-It notes useful, or set alarms on their phones as reminders. Some people use calendars to keep track of appointments and activities, and some people who find it difficult to remember to take medication might use a timed pill dispenser.
It’s important to recognise when we could benefit from some help and support. There are some tasks that we simply might not be able to do, even with the support already in place, and so speaking with friends, family, and neighbours is important. They might be able to help, or can get the ball rolling for more help. Needing support does not necessarily mean we’re giving up our independence; in many cases, it can help us feel safer and more confident, whilst retaining independence.
Getting care and support at home might also help you carry on doing things that matter to you. Good care and support should not take away your autonomy, but should instead complement it. Care providers like us can talk things through with you and help you to explore your options. We at Teign Angels are always happy to have that conversation, with no obligation or pressure.
If other people are making us feel rushed and hurried, this can make us feel stressed and anxious. It’s important to communicate openly with them, so that they know how best to support you. This doesn’t mean them doing something you can do yourself, just because it takes you a bit longer; it means giving you the time and support that you need.
Living well with Alzheimer’s means making time for things that we enjoy. This might include seeing loved ones, engaging in hobbies, listening to music, spending time in the garden etc. In short, staying connected with the people, places, and activities that matter most to us. This can make a huge difference to our wellbeing. Although you may need some extra support or adapt the way you do certain activities, many hobbies and interests can continue for a long time.
We might also want to consider advance care planning. As Alzheimer’s progresses, it can make decision-making more difficult, and we may lose mental capacity (the ability to make decisions) about certain things. Advance care planning means that we can make certain decisions, share our wishes and preferences, and make our voices heard, so that people supporting us in the future know what matters most to us. You can visit our advance care planning hub on our website for free-to-access resources to help you with your advance care planning. All people we support at Teign Angels can also make use of our Advance Care Planning conversation guarantee, to talk any things through with us.
Living well with Alzheimer’s is about finding the right balance between maintaining your independence and accepting support where it helps you continue doing the things that matter. Perhaps the most important advice comes from people who are living with Alzheimer’s themselves. One person, speaking to the Alzheimer’s Association, said: ‘Don’t stress. Recognise that some things may become more difficult for you to do. Try to accept that these changes are out of your control and focus on the things you can still do’. Living well with Alzheimer’s won’t always look the same from one person to the next. With understanding, the right support and a focus on the things that matter most, many people continue to live rich, meaningful lives after a diagnosis.