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Alzheimer’s in the Elderly and The Effect it Takes on The Family

By Heather Brown
July 08, 2015

In American health, Alzheimer’s is a very debilitating disease that causes devastating changes in the brain. These abnormal changes can cause memory loss and behavioral changes. As the patient’s disease progresses they will lose a sense of who they are and the life they have lived. This can be very hard to accept and deal with. Not only for the patient, but the family members as well

Once the disease starts to cause noticeable changes, it can be a very hard for family members to emotionally adjust to. As the disease progresses to the final stages, it can almost feel like you are a stranger to them. They have trouble recalling the memories you share with them.

The progression of Alzheimer’s may lead to some serious behavioral issues. It is perfectly natural to feel angry and frustrated at their behavior. This anger could be due to having to be a caregiver, at other family members for not helping out as much, or at their inability to remember who you are. If this is the case, it is important to not take it out on the patient and for you to talk to someone, such as a doctor from the Alzheimer Society, to help you work through this

Not everyone has the ability to play the role of a caretaker for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s. Whether it is for personal reasons, or time restraints not everyone knows how to deal with this. This can lead to them having to be placed into a hospital for care. This can sometimes lead to the feeling of guilt of not wanting to play the caregiver role. Even though everything you could do has been done, the guilt can still remain. When you love someone you want to think you can take care of them no matter what. It is important for you to know that many people go through similar situations and it doesn’t make you a bad person.

Having a family member with Alzheimer’s disease can take its toll on the family. As the disease progress, it gets harder and harder to take of them on your own. Keeping them at home isn’t always the easiest thing. Patients in the later state of the disease need constant supervision and can’t be responsible for them selves anymore. American health is important and there are people who specialized in handling this disease.

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