Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink and the brain cells to die. A news report by The Hindu (November 2020) states that in India more than 5 million individuals are affected by Alzheimer’s and related disorders. However, this is a hidden problem and people may go undetected for years. Since this disorder has a greater impact on individuals aged 65 years and above who may require external support from a caregiver, we wanted to discuss it.

In such a challenging and continuously progressing and changing condition, caregiving by family members involves a lot of confusion, stress and emotional exhaustion. The associated dilemma on how to adopt behaviors anew for the loved ones can be challenging. A few proven strategies of specialized caregiving have been outlined below:

Acceptance of diagnosis

While accepting a problem's presence can trigger lots of conflicting emotions like frustration, anger, grief, fear for the patient and family, you must ensure that denial shouldn’t come in between ‘processing’/ venting of feelings. Only after confiding in a safe space, one can get up and work for the improvement of quality of life.

Supporting healthy lifestyle

While treatment for some symptoms is available, the patient should be supported in pacing down its progression. Working with the patient to maintain healthy eating, sleeping, stress management, physical- social activities can do wonders to provide a good route to find meaning in their lives.

Become their life-clock

Remember that your loved one may need constant reminders, repetitions to remember appointments, names, dates, medication timings etc. Request them to get your help in case of reminders or checking of bills etc. and encourage them to use notebooks, phones to set reminders for convenience.

Awareness of body language and speech

Avoid saying things like: ‘Do you remember?,’ ‘Did you forget?’ etc. (simply repeat!) as it may be perceived as pointing out of their flaws and weaknesses that will end them up feeling humiliated. Your speech should reflect calmness, clarity, respect and your body should reflect patience. 

Rupali Rawat