When our loved one acquires Alzheimer’s disease, we know that this is going to be final and long term. As the years pass by, their condition can just get more complex. A time will surely come that they will stop recognizing you or even themselves. Hence, it is very understandable how this ailment brings heartbreak to you and your loved one.

However, as providers of health care in Poughkeepsie New York, we say that there’s always a silver lining in every situation. Even when your loved one no longer recognizes you, there are still good responses that you can make out of it.

We have compiled the following important items you should keep in mind as you take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s with potential of not recognizing you one day.

• It Doesn’t Mean You’re Forgotten

  In our experience as providers of Non-Medical Home Care in Poughkeepsie New York, we believe that your life and person is already embedded in your loved one’s deepest memory that not even Alzheimer’s can remove. They may not be able to respond to you or show signs of recognition. However, they know it deep in their hearts that they have a loved one and that there are people who love them. Hence, continue to hug them, touch them, and communicate to them even when they seem unresponsive.

• Feelings Are Still There

  Even in their condition with Alzheimer’s disease, trust that your loved one still has feelings, and these feelings can be reached with your tender words, loving embrace, and consistent presence. No matter your loved one’s condition, they will have a sense of comprehension that someone is reaching out to them. Knowing this for yourself should give you contentment and peace that you have reached your loved one’s heart.

• Use Old Photographs

  For many Alzheimer’s patients, recognition of short-term memory gets affected fast, while the long-term memory is retained longer. Because of this, you can reignite your loved one’s memory by showing them old photographs of yourself and with them, such as the ones decades ago. You can create a photo album that shows a timeline of yourself from infancy to your present age. This way, they can connect your present look with the memory retained in them. However, this concept doesn’t work for all. If ever you would like to try this, just keep in mind that going down the memory lane is also refreshing to you as it can hopefully be to them.

In all the years that we have provided healthcare and housekeeping services in New York, we have seen how differently and uniquely people cope with their loved one’s memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s. Along with the heartbreak lies also the hope that deeper connections still remain.

If your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, know that you have a team of care providers who understand what you’re going through as you care for them every day. When you need help, contact us at Flex Health Care.