Six Tips for Living with Alzheimer’s

If you live alone in your Kansas City home and have just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may be wondering what to do next. Here are some strategies that will help you maintain some independence and quality of life:

Do your homework. Find out what Kansas City Alzheimer’s resources are available so you’ll know where to go for health care, educational resources, emotional support, and other needs.

Find transportation. Once you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it’s probably not safe for you to continue driving. So you’re going to need to enlist help. If you have friends or relatives nearby, see if they can help drive  you to places you need to go or pick things up for you. You may also be able to use Uber or Lyft  for a time, but ask for your doctor’s opinion before booking any rides.

Stay engaged. You may want to let the people who are closest to you know about your illness, so they won’t be alarmed when you become forgetful. But continue to participate in activities you enjoy to the best of your abilities. Staying engaged may help slow the progression of your disease, and will help you live a more fulfilling life.

Invest in technology. There are a lot of technological devices available at Kansas City discount or technology stores that can help you with things like communication, appointment or medication reminders, wandering, and other activities that may become more difficult with time.

Sign a living will and a healthcare power of attorney. A living will lets doctors know what type of health care you do or do not want if you’re unable to make that decision at the time of care. A healthcare power of attorney gives someone you trust permission to make healthcare decisions for you. Ask your Kansas City Alzheimer’s caregiver for the appropriate paperwork.

Enlist help. Staying home by yourself isn’t going to be a long-term option unless you have a full-time caregiver. If not, you can always enlist the help of a Kansas City home care agency  that provides both personal care and dementia care services.