Page 13 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - September 2016 - 23-09
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Senior Times - September 2016 How to Convince a Person With
Alzheimer's Symptoms to Go to the Doctor
Page 13
By: Marie Marley
In its 2014 report, Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, the Alzheimer's Association states
that someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's every 67 seconds. The report also says that an estimated 5.2 million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer's, and that 500,000 people die [each year] because they have the condition.
Does your situation sound much like this? Late one night I was deeply engrossed in reading a book when the phone rang. Must be Ed I thought. But it wasn't. It was a woman calling to tell me she'd found Ed driving on the wrong side of the road.
In my deep denial I thought it was just because he was driving after dark. (He wasn't supposed to drive after dark.) I thought it was just a tempo- rary confusion – not a sign of some- thing more ominous. Not an early sign of Alzheimer's.
Overcoming Denial – The First Hurdle
The symptoms often begin so mild- ly and progress so slowly that it's easy for friends and loved ones to deny them. There is a tendency to make excuses for the person, to push the symptoms to the back of one's mind, or to try to explain them away.
The person with the symptoms is often in denial as well. As their brain slowly deteriorates, they struggle
to adjust and continue functioning. During this time symptomatic people usually realize something is wrong and try to understand it in any way possible that doesn't involve the words "Alzheimer's" or "dementia."
Why to Get the Person to a Doctor
It's critical for everyone involved to overcome their denial and take the first difficult step of consulting a physician about the symptoms. Some people think there's no reason to seek a diag- nosis because there's no cure for the disease. Yet it is important for several reasons.
An evaluation is important because the person may have some other condition that's treatable or even reversible.
According to an article pub-
lished by Dr. Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen, "Many conditions can mimic Alzheimer's, including vitamin defi- ciencies (such as folic acid, niacin
or vitamins B-1, B-6 or B-12), nor- mal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), depression, urinary tract infections, an underactive thyroid, and reactions to certain drugs."
Advantages of early detection:
1) Allows you and your loved one to explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help maintain a level of independence longer.
2) An early diagnosis of Alzheimer's allows you and your loved one to take part in decisions about care, transportation, living options, finan- cial, and legal matters.
3) Additional care and support ser- vices are available, making it easier to live the best life possible with Alzheimer's.
Further, early diagnosis helps you
and your friends and family members adjust to the person's condition, rather than becoming angry at their unusual actions and possible negative
personality changes. It allows every- one to be more understanding and compassionate with the person.
How to Convince the Person to Go to the Doctor
Unfortunately, in many cases people experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's flat out refuse to consult
a doctor. This may be because they
are so much in denial they think noth- ing is wrong with them. It may also
be that they are secretly afraid that it may, in fact, be Alzheimer's. Many strategies can be tried to convince the person to visit a physician. You may be able to reason with those who have mild symptoms, although it may take several discussions before they agree to be seen. You might also ask a good friend or favorite relative to speak with the person. Sometimes people will pay more attention to someone other than their loved one or primary caregiver. You could also ask the person's phy- sician or attorney to talk with them about it.
There are several possible strategies for solving this problem suggested by the Alzheimer’s Association. Among the suggestions are to, "Seize the opportunity. Suggest a check-up if your loved one expresses any concern about 'not remembering things lately.' You could explain that there are new medications that may help with mem- ory, but they must be prescribed by a doctor."
Another option would be to ask
for a personal favor. At times, loved ones will do something for others that they would not do for themselves. Ask them to see a doctor as a favor to you.
Those with more advanced symptoms may not be amenable to
a logical discussion of the issue. Carol Steinberg, then Executive
Vice President of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, suggested that you might have to use what we call 'therapeutic fibbing.' She gives an example, "Tell the person you have
a doctor's appointment and ask them to go with you. This of course would have to be prearranged so the physi- cian would know the real reason for the visit."
According to Paula Spenser Scott, writing on Caring.com, you may want to, "Try calling the doctor in advance of a routine check-up to express con- cerns and ask about a memory screen- ing. Or use another health complaint (fatigue, arthritis) as a pretext for mak- ing a physician appointment."
Ms. Scott also says you should acknowledge the person's fear by say- ing something like, "It's not pleasant to think about and I am a little wor- ried, too. But if we can find out what's behind the mix-ups, then the problem can be treated."
Finally, if your loved one has become a danger to themselves, or if their well-being in in jeopardy, outside help might be required.
No one wants to have a loved one evaluated for Alzheimer's. There's nothing more chilling and painful than to find out a loved one has this condi- tion. But when symptoms are present seeing a doctor is critical, and the sooner the better.
Marie Marley is the award-winning author of, Come Back Early Today:
A Memoir of Love, Alzheimer's
and Joy. Her website (www. ComeBackEarlyToday.com) contains a wealth of information for Alzheimer's caregivers.


































































































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