Early Stage Care Giving: Alzheimer’s

DiseaseCharity Mack AGIN 524

Eastern Michigan University

Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, and Caregivers – Daniel Kuhn, MSW

What is Alzheimer’s Disease&

The Early Stages

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alz.org

Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, and Caregivers – Daniel Kuhn, MSW

“Alzheimer’s disease appears like an unwelcome stranger in the lives of everyone it visits. The stranger does not intrude suddenly into the lives of individuals and families but makes it presence known slowly and gradually” –Daniel Kuhn

Journal Articles:

Person Centered Care in the Early Stages of Dementia: Honoring Individuals and their choices (Whitlatch 2013)

Early Community Based Services Utilization and Its effects on Institutionalization in Dementia Caregiving (Gaugler et al. 2005)

The Transition to Caregiving ( Adams 2008)

What is Alzheimer’s Disease&

The Early Stages Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that

causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

In the early stages, you may act more like a care partner, than a caregiver. Your role is one of support, love and companionship. You are there to help with daily life, as needed, and to help the person with Alzheimer's plan for the future. Since no two people experience Alzheimer's alike, the degree of assistance needed from a care partner in this stage varies. –Alz.org

“Alzheimer’s disease appears like an unwelcome stranger in the lives of everyone it visits. The stranger does not intrude suddenly into the lives of individuals and families but makes it presence known slowly and gradually” –Daniel Kuhn

Learn to change your expectations

Making Practical Decisions

Assume a more active role in your relationship

Accept the diagnosis

Improving Communication

Begin Planning for the future

Early Stage Caregiving “Excepting the Diagnosis”

“Doubt initially enables you to prepare emotionally for the reality and practical implications of living with the disease.”-Kuhn

• Denial in the beginning is natural it protects us from the effects of a painful situation

• Try not to overlook the fact that your loved one needs help based on the person’s looks.

• Value the person’s self-reliance, individualism, and resilience. This is especially in men who all their lives associate masculinity with weakness.

• • “By accepting the diagnosis and its life-

changing effects, your ability to control your reactions to disease related changes will improve significantly.”-Kuhn

Early Stage of Caregiving “Learn to Change Your

Expectations”“In committed relationships there is an expectation that each person will

do his or her part to nurture the other person “ –Kuhn • Alzheimer’s can rob a care giver of the nurturing, decision making person

•

• Learn to redefine the terms of your commitment, “instead of expecting a fifty-fifty partnership the well partner/ caregiver must except the other persons limitations.”- Kuhn

• In the early stages of caregiving the disease in most cases does not require you to take over as full-time caregiver or provider of care slow progression of the disease will allow you to shift into your role a bit at a time.

Early Stage Caregiving“Improving the Communication”

Communicating difficulties : Finding the right words Comprehending Abstract Language Talking on the telephone Repeat questions or Statements Problem Solving difficulties Filtering out sights and sounds may become

problematic Patients in the early stages of the disease are

usually able to communicate effectively with minimal help from others

Synopsis & Overview of Book: Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, and Caregivers

– Daniel Kuhn, MSW

The third edition of Alzheimer’s Early Stages offers new research findings, treatment approaches, and information on the three key areas of Alzheimer’s disease: medical aspects, day-to-day care, and care for the caregiver. Daniel Kuhn seeks to replace fear with knowledge. With information on the progression of the disease, potential non-drug means of treatment, the changing world of the diagnosed individual, legal and financial planning, and maintaining physical and mental health for the caregiver, the book provides detailed guidance and advice while leaving room for adapting to the individual situation.