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Getting help
Alzheimer's disease, like many other chronic illnesses, will affect you both physically and mentally. It is important to realize that you are not alone and that if you feel you need help coping, you should consider seeking counseling.
The decision to seek counseling is an important step. Too often, people don't get help because they feel guilt, shame, or embarrassment. By deciding to get help, you have made a choice to feel better and to improve your life. Taking action early will enable you to understand and deal with the many effects of a chronic illness. Learning to manage stress will help you to maintain a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual outlook on life. If depression is present, medications other than those treating the physical illness may be ordered to help lift your mood.
Although no cure for Alzheimer's disease is now available, planning and medical/social management can help ease the burden on both patients and family members. Physical exercise, good nutrition, activities, and social interaction are important. A calm, structured environment also may help the person with Alzheimer's disease to continue functioning as long as possible.
Your healthcare provider can refer you to a mental healthcare professional, who could be a family therapist, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other professional. First, you will receive an "assessment," a review of your mental health. The assessment is used to diagnose the problem and determine the best treatment. You will be asked to describe why you want counseling, any symptoms you have (emotional, mental, and physical), and your medical history. You may be given a question-and-answer survey.
Once you complete the assessment, a treatment plan can be chosen. At this time, you and your counselor can discuss:
- The best type of counseling
- The best setting for counseling (counselor's office, outpatient clinic, hospital, residential treatment center)
- Who will be included in your treatment (you alone, family members, others with similar problems)
- How often you should go to counseling
- How long counseling may last
- Any medications that may be needed (see our section on treatments for some of the disruptive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease)
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