Talking About Alzheimer's

Many physicians fear that revealing a diagnosis of dementia would only further upset an already troubled patient, but a study from Washington University in St. Louis found quite the opposite. When it comes to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, knowing the truth as soon as possible appears to be the better approach, potentially improving the emotional wellbeing of both patients and their caregivers, the researchers report.

Medical advances have made it possible to diagnose Alzheimer's at very early stages, but a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that about half of all physicians were reluctant to inform patients of an Alzheimer's diagnosis.

The study followed 90 individuals and their caregivers as they came to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Washington University's School of Medicine for an evaluation. Sixty nine percent eventually got a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, but no significant changes in depression were noted and anxiety decreased substantially.

"The major finding is that both patients and their families feel relief, not increased anxiety, upon learning the diagnosis," says study co-author John C. Morris, M.D., Director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. This was true regardless of the degree of impairment.

"Nobody wants to hear the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, but even that is preferable to recognizing there's a problem and not knowing what it is. At least having the diagnosis allows people to make plans for the future, including treatment as appropriate." One reason an Alzheimer's diagnosis can be comforting to both family members and patients, suggests Carpenter, is that it provides an explanation for what's been going on with the patient. Caregivers, he says, are often quick to attribute symptoms of dementia to the person, rather than the disease, and patients wonder if they are going "crazy."

Bottom line: Knowledge is power, and earlier diagnoses allow for earlier interventions to delay the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia. Medications currently on the market can slightly delay symptoms in some patients and may delay institutionalization. Perhaps more importantly, providing a diagnosis as early as possible gives people a chance to prepare for what is coming. "They know that things are going to get worse rather than better, and they know that there's going to come a time when they're not going to be able to do the things they can do now," says Carpenter. "They can get ready for what's coming, and we can connect them to support services. We can get their family ready, so they'll be better prepared."

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November is NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER'S MONTH

NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER'S MONTH  is designated as a time every year to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers. "This year we are encouraging people to speak up during National Family Caregivers Month." said Suzanne Mintz, NFCA president and CEO. "One of the most important attributes on being an advocate for your loved one is the willingness and the ability to speak up and keep your eye on the ultimate goal, protecting not only the health and safety of your loved ones but for yourself as well."

More than 50 million people, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year.

Informal caregiving is the foundation of America’s long-term care system. Each day, in every State and community, family members, friends and neighbors provide extraordinary levels of assistance to persons of all ages with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Caregivers manage tasks ranging from assisting with basic personal care and homemaking to carrying out more complex health-related interventions.

Unpaid caregivers may be found in every community. They come from every walk of life. They contribute an  estimated economic value of about $350 billion each year.

They are male and female, young and old, and may or may not possess adequate financial resources to meet their own daily needs or the needs of those for whom they care.

Through the Looking Glass with Alzheimer's

Life goes on for the caregiver and sufferer through the looking glass.

The dread diagnosis of Alzheimer’s does not mean your life is over. You can still live a happy life, but you will need to make  changes and accept that  some things will be more difficult and very different.

• Try to live a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, excersize, and getting enough sleep. This will help your brains to function at their best.

• Look after your emotional well-being by seeing friends and family, a counselor, joining a support group, or starting a journal or blog.

• Both of you will experience a range of  thoughts and emotions as you come to terms with the diagnosis - denial, anger, frustration, depression. It's  important to acknowledge and deal with these emotions.
  

• Speak with your friends and family and neighbors and let them know how they can help. Keep them informed as things progress.  Set up some form of respite.
  

• Try to keep doing activities that you enjoy and make adjustments to changing abilities.  It can help to stick to a predictable routine. Create easy to follow systems.

• Hold on to some sense of humor.