Briana’s Top Ten Tips & Resources for Alzheimer’s
September 10, 2020
Top Ten Tips & Resources for Alzheimer’s
Briana Howard, Care Manager
- Listen! with love and respect. The most heartbreaking thing I ever heard an early onset woman say about her diagnosis, when asked was “No one will ever take me seriously again.”
- Watch body language. All people know when they are being patronized. Eyeball to eyeball, nodding with empathy. Smile or whatever is appropriate
- Youtube Careblazers (wonderful info for caregivers).
- Teepa Snow-has many Youtube videos for caregivers, and shows how to avoid petty power struggles
- “SEE” your loved one-S/he is still in there, spiritually. They will feel your love, rather than fighting about a shower
- Prioritize. Pick your most important goals. How important is this really?
- Write up a summary letter after doctors, or visits, with date, name and what was accomplished- Keep in a 3 ring binder in order hopefully with a plastic insert in front so person knows what the binder is for.
- Humor! Julie Grosky, PhD, writes about the importance of humor for connection, release of tension, and production of oxytocin, serotonin, and other feel good neurotransmitters.
- Music! “Alive Inside”- a very important You tube from a Canadian SW /Dan Cohen, that shows how music reaches the parts of the brain that AD/dementia kills.
- Include the person in doctor visits as much as possible, but avoid introducing tests and other items that take a long time and the person will get anxious over. Give to the doctor BEFORE your person arrives.
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