Preparing for the Possibility of Alzheimer’s

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in nine Americans age 65 and older has it. As the baby boomer generation ages, that number is expected to nearly triple, from 5.2 million people nationwide to a projected 13.8 million by 2050.

 

Also known as the "sandwich generation," baby boomers oftentimes have found themselves taking care of their aging parents in addition to supporting their own children. Observing the struggles their elderly parents faced after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, boomers naturally ask themselves, "What if this happens to me?"

 

Questions we often hear from families of Alzheimer’s patients include:

• Can I prevent this disease?

• Am I prepared it?

• Can I get tested for it?

• How will it affect my children?

 

Exercise. Eat right. Stimulate the mind. All solid tips for a healthy life in general, and more specifically, to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. However, nothing is 100 percent proven to prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia. With age and genetics listed high among the risk factors for the disease, we often advise families of Alzheimer’s patients to not only focus on preventative measures, but also to prepare for the possibility that they could have the disease later in life.

 

It’s never too early to start preparing for the possibility of Alzheimer’s. The disease typically progresses slowly, taking a toll on loved ones and financial savings. At Alternative Home Health Care, we often see firsthand the effects of this disease on the families of our clients, especially on the adult children of our patients. Recommending that they prepare for the possibility of the disease well before signs of dementia start to show, tips we share include:

 

• Have a financial plan: Just as baby boomers should be well into planning for retirement, they also should be considering the financial aspects of long-term illnesses. Setting up a financial plan can go a long way in preventing a burden on family members and children. Consulting a financial planner or lawyer who focuses on aging can be a good place to start. Baby boomers should also fully understand their insurance benefits and options.

 

• Involve your family: We recommend that baby boomers research long-term care options and consider what may be best for themselves and for their families. Boomers should also think about setting up a power of attorney so family members can help manage their affairs if and when the time comes for it. Having honest conversations with spouses, children and other family members can help set the stage should a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s become reality.

 

• Develop hands-on hobbies: Our professional caregivers try to engage dementia patients with hobbies that are familiar to them. Intellectual activities, such as reading and puzzles, can quickly become confusing for someone who is losing their memory. Their hands are much more likely to remember tactile activities that have been practiced for decades. Whether it’s painting, knitting or playing the piano, the more familiar an activity, the more likely patients will be able to continue it as the disease sets in.

 

• Build physical strength: Dementia patients typically have problems with balance, coordination and activities requiring physical strength, so we advise baby boomers to exercise and focus on improving these skills. Stronger patients are usually able to function better for a longer period of time, and exercising also has the added benefit of improving one’s health overall.

 

• Recognize the signs and symptoms: While there are no definitive tests for Alzheimer’s, it’s important for boomers to recognize the signs and symptoms and seek regular healthcare to catch the disease as early as possible, which will give them and their families more time to cope with a diagnosis together.

 

Hopefully one day research will uncover the cure to Alzheimer’s, but until that day comes, awareness and preparation are key.