Receiving a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s is not easy. Most patients experience shock, disorientation, frustration, fear, and even hopelessness. Here are a few steps that we at Livathome, a professional provider of home health care services in Omaha, Nebraska, suggest you take to plan for a future that will allow you to live as independently as possible.
- Learn more about the disease.
Learning and understanding as much as you can about Alzheimer’s disease and what to expect will help you plan better for the future. When you’re aware of the different stages of Alzheimer’s, you’ll have a good idea of the kind of healthcare services you will need. - Dealing with difficult emotions.
It’s normal for patients with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones to experience a roller coaster of emotions after a diagnosis. At this stage, taking care of your emotional wellbeing is important and if you feel like you can’t do it alone, you might want to talk to a mental health expert or connect with an Alzheimer’s support group. - Work on a plan on how to share your news.
Once you feel stable and centered enough, you may be ready to share the news with the rest of your friends and family. If you feel uneasy or hesitant about delivering the message yourself, however, you can always enlist your spouse or adult child to help. - Plan for the future.
The best way to make sure that your wishes are honored is by planning for the future. This might mean looking for an attorney to handle legal documents or acquiring non-medical home care in Nebraska to help you live more comfortably.