How do you handle change with your loved one?
There are a lot of changes with this disease. How do you help your loved one deal with the changes?
panic-seek information-make positive changes
I understand what you’re saying here. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught off guard and have to figure out things on the fly. That’s what I love about this site is that it helps so many prepare ahead based on what others have already been through. I appreciate that you make positive changes and move ahead. Scott AlzheimersDisease.net Team Member 
yeah, its hard to get ahead. It seems like we are reacting and plugging holes. Between sinking, floating and swimming ahead, it's all I can do to not sink sometimes. But it helps when community members like yourself chime in. We can learn from each other. Blessings, Kathy M team member.
One thing at a time. I pray q lot and try not to overwhelm myself or my mom
I like that you pause and consider the pace and timing of things. This makes a lot of sense to me. It is easy to get overwhelmed by everything. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Scott AlzheimersDisease.net Team Member yes. Let today's own trouble be sufficient for today. I try to take that verse to heart. Someone has to keep calm and carry on. Our loved one takes their cues from us. It's not fair to burden them with things they can't process. That's part of what makes this disease lonely for caregivers. BUT we get it and are here for each other. Blessings, Kathy M team member.
My sister, who has AD, we can telling us things like the people at the hairdressers were laughing and talking about her
Then she said when she got out of the car in a handicap parking people were yelling at her.
She goes to a church group with a friend, she says no one will speak to her, even her friend turns around and talks to other people, but doesn’t include her in the conversation.
Even her neighbors look at her when they walk by or smile or talk we kept telling her we didn’t think that was happening. We couldn’t understand why people would be treating her this way.
Suddenly, we have decided that she is becoming somewhat paranoid or something like that. So I’m trying to think of a different way to discuss these things with her to put it in the positive. It’s just getting harder to know what is her and what is her disease.I like the idea of having a personal card that helps people understand her current condition. I don't think it's rude. I think that anything that brings understanding and empathy is a good thing. At some point the card could have contact information of a caregiver if that is ever needed.
Scott (Team Member)
Hi
! I had a thought after reading your exchange with Donna & Scott. wrote an article for us where she talks about disease awareness cards. While the article is about tips for eating out (https://alzheimersdisease.net/living/tips-for-eating-out), she provides some good ideas for these cards in the comments. Sharing here as well. Hopefully this gives you some more ideas!
From Lynn Marie: 1. The first option you just print it out on card stock or thicker paper. https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-dementia-companion-card-print-then-cut.pdf. 2. If you are looking for an option where it is already printed out on a business card, then these options might interest you. https://www.alzstore.com/i-have-a-condition-card-p/0342.htm or https://www.etsy.com/listing/1419009964/alzheimers-companion-card.
Warmly, Patty, Team Member
My husband is into about 5 years suffering from Dementia. So many changes in that amount of time. I think that it is alot like raising children, which I have 3.When I would be upset about a stage they were in ,my Mom would say
"This too shall Pass"❣️
, (I'm a cat person, too!), your mom is wise, and that's such a wonderful frame that you put things in. It can be hard to do, but it makes everything "sweeter" and relieves a lot of tensions. Thank you for sharing. - Warmly, Donna (team member) Thank you for your thoughts. I think that understanding that this disease changes and goes through stages is helpful. What helps me most is knowing what to expect more or less and not being taken completely off guard by these changes. That's why this community is so helpful to so many. These is a wealth of information here. Scott Team Member
