Introduction
With increasing age, the chances of developing an irreversible neurological illness, like Alzheimer’s disease, increase dramatically. Statistics say that more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia nowadays, and the number is growing by around ten million every year. The illness detrimentally affects an individual’s cognitive functions, including memory, speaking, and behavior. However, the effects are not limited to the personal impact but also negatively influence family members and relatives. Relationships between those connected to a person with Alzheimer’s can suffer as a result of misunderstandings. In addition, it is emotionally demanding for people to observe the changes in the ill individual and cope with the transition into the role of caregiver. Even though the cognitive damage caused by Alzheimer’s is irreversible, some strategies can help diminish the negative impact of the disease on those connected with the ill person. Proper communication between family members, receiving emotional support, and acquiring knowledge about the illness can reduce the detrimental effects on the family life after the diagnosis.
The Effects and Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease
The Impact on the Ill Person
Alzheimer’s dementia causes severe irreversible damage to the brain’s cognitive systems, resulting in thinking, remembering, and reasoning difficulties. Alzheimer’s is a neurobiological illness that leads to disturbances in the functioning of neurons and their destruction (Zvěřová 3). As a result, it affects the ability of an individual to think clearly and perform complex mental tasks. Another consequence is memory problems, like losing time awareness and forgetting friends and family members (Budson and O’Connor 14). The damage spreads to the brain systems responsible for judgment and reasoning. An individual with Alzheimer’s can become unable to consider different perspectives and process information to achieve a reasonable conclusion on any matter (Zvěřová 4). The described challenges can dramatically affect the ill person’s life, especially as the disease progresses.
Another effect of neurological damage caused by Alzheimer’s is behavioral changes that include emotional problems, personality alterations, unusual sexual behaviors, and even violence. The affected individual can become profoundly vulnerable to emotional disturbance (Zvěřová 4). For instance, the emotional states of such a person can frequently switch from anger to peace and from stress to relief. Alzheimer’s disease can also result in personality changes, like changing temperament and social preferences (Zvěřová 4). Additionally, the person’s partner can notice differences in their sexual behaviors, which can disturb the harmony of their intimate life (Budson and O’Connor 32). Finally, the emotional distress caused by the neurological damage can provoke violence in the affected individual, prospectively resulting in their social isolation. Such fundamental changes can play a substantial role in the emotional distress of people closely connected with the person.
The Impact on the Family Members and Relatives
After the diagnosis, family members of the ill person are exposed to various challenges and changes that apply significant emotional pressure and cause anxiety. When a person with Alzheimer’s experiences personality alterations, it is hard for close people to accept that the person they have known irreversibly changes. They can feel anger, guilt, and sadness and develop a depressive state (Lee et al. 121). People, who are close to the individual, can blame themselves for not spending enough time together before the disease. Additional stress occurs due to the new responsibilities of caregivers, which can be difficult and unpleasant (Lee et al. 119). During these changes, it is easy for them to lose interest in life, which can eventually lead to suicidal behavior (Budson and O’Connor 57). The emotional pressure applied to family and relatives who encounter Alzheimer’s is significant and should be considered seriously.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia can also influence relationships. The affected family may notice that their friends become more reluctant to pay a visit or try to avoid communicating with them completely (Budson and O’Connor 275). Such reaction of family friends and relatives is caused by difficulties and misunderstandings connected with the disease. Another problem with relationships can occur inside the family. When family members face the new responsibilities that the role of caregiver applies, they can become upset and resentful towards each other (Budson and O’Connor 272). This can result in additional difficulties that become especially overwhelming during such a challenging period. Finally, intimate relationships are usually affected as well. The disease can impair close interactions between partners if one has developed Alzheimer’s illness (Budson and O’Connor 293). The detrimental influence of the disease on the relationships requires consideration and application of proper strategies to avoid additional challenges.
The Strategies to Reduce the Negative Consequences of Alzheimer’s
The first strategy that is valuable during the crisis is developing effective communication between family members and friends. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings and inform others about the nature of Alzheimer’s (Budson and O’Connor 89). Since the cost of interrelationship problems in the face of crisis is profound, it is crucial to talk with family members and discuss their new responsibilities, worries, and concerns. It is also essential to provide all the necessary information about the disease and its effect, including personal alterations, cognitive dysfunctions, and the impact on relationships (Budson and O’Connor 90). Adopting a proper communication practice reduces additional stress and helps people understand the situation more clearly. Therefore, the significance of appropriate communication between those connected to an individual with Alzheimer’s is obvious.
Another valuable practice is connected with emotional and mental wellbeing. Regulating overwhelming emotions as a family member during the difficult period of Alzheimer’s development is essential. Firstly, seeking external emotional support can help reduce accumulated mental stress (Budson and O’Connor 355). One of the options is to ask another member of the family or a close friend to discuss the worries and experiences. Professional help, like a psychiatrist and mental support services, can provide more certain emotional assistance. Alternatively, it is helpful to adopt and implement mental practices for stress relief, like meditation, yoga, and others. The choice of mental exercise depends on personal preferences. It is better to use both external and internal approaches to regulate emotions most effectively.
Finally, being aware of the nature and potential consequences of Alzheimer’s disease assists in adopting the new role of caregiver, prepares for the upcoming challenges, and mitigates misunderstandings with the affected individual. The role of caregiver implies specific responsibilities and difficulties that must be analyzed to prepare oneself for them (Lee et al. 129). Without knowledge about the cognitive and behavioral impact of the disease, it may be confusing to interact with the ill person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, specific strategies can be implemented to reduce the negative impact of Alzheimer’s dementia on families and relatives. First, clear and frequent communication between family members can diminish arguments and promote effective collaboration. Second, receiving external and internal emotional support can reduce stress and anxiety in family members during such a challenging period. Third, learning about Alzheimer’s disease helps to adopt the role of caregivers and decreases the confusion about the ill individual.
Annotated Bibliography
Budson, Andrew, and Maureen K. O’Connor. Six Steps to Managing Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A Guide for Families. Oxford University Press, 2021.
This book was written by Budson, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, and O’Connor, who acquired a doctoral degree in neuropsychology at Yale University School of Medicine. The authors provide valuable insights for families into the means of managing the consequences of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Starting with general information about dementia, the book covers strategies for managing physical problems of the ill person and mental issues of the family. In my paper, I use the book’s description of various strategies for coping with emotions, maintaining relationships, and achieving mental wellness during different stages of the sickness.
Lee, Kyungmi, et al. “Transitioning into the Caregiver Role Following a Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia: A Scoping Review.” International Journal of Nursing Studies, vol. 96, no. 1, 2019, pp. 119-131.
This research was published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies in 2019. The review analyses literature on the challenges of transitioning into the caregiver role and provides valuable suggestions and recommendations for individuals who has to care for their family members with dementia. The authors highlight the necessity to understand the experiences and needs that caregivers can encounter. I use the review’s findings to describe the essential aspects of the transitional period in family life and include guidance on proper interventions to address the needs of caregivers. The research is also valuable for identifying challenges and dangers that families can face after the diagnosis.
Zvěřová, Martina. “Clinical Aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Clinical Biochemistry, vol. 72, no. 1, 2019, pp. 3-6.
The article is written by Zvěřová, a member of the Department of Psychiatry at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. The paper describes clinical details of Alzheimer’s disease, and includes general information about the condition and the personal experience of the illness. The author suggests that Alzheimer’s dementia is becoming one of the most challenging and expensive sicknesses in the modern world. I use the paper to support the general data about the illness in the first part of the essay, including physical and mental effects on the sick person.