Health Tip: Early-Stage Alzheimer's

How to maintain some independence

Posted 3/13/08

(HealthDay News) -- People with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may fear losing their independence and being reliant on someone else.

Here are suggestions on how to maintain independence longer, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:

Hire a service or ask a friend to help with activities, such as paying bills, cooking meals, cleaning the house or going to the grocery.
Write instructions on how to work appliances, place labels on items you frequently forget, and compose notes to help you remember to perform certain tasks.
Help keep your home safe by reducing the risk of slips and falls. For example, install grab bars in the bathroom. Also, make sure appliances have automatic shutoffs.
Enroll in a safety alert program, so you can immediately get help if you need it.
If you can't drive, get a bus schedule, have a cab company's phone number handy, or ask friends and family to drive you.
Try to stay as physically and socially active as you can, and don't be afraid to ask for help.