If you don't use it, you lose it. This is so true, keeping busy with anything, word search puzzles, meaningful conversation, reading, learning new things even if it's on discovery channel, moving around even if it's chair exercises. Eating right/healthy means fruits and vegetables, high fiber, low fat with dairy products and eggs. Ask the doctor about omega's and multivitamins. Socialize with others, read to preschoolers at the library, volunteer at the hospital, nursing home or school. Share your knowledge with others. Keep the mind and body as busy as it can. Busy doesn't mean doing physical feats that are difficult, you have to find out what is right for you. Speak with a doctor or physical therapist, they both can recommend ways to keep as healthy and as mobile as possible.
Learn as much as YOU can about their disease, its progression, and sign post behaviors.
YOU can help them so much better if you know what you're looking for and what it means. Most of us have zero experience and context for what is happening, so you can't go by what your kids did when they were little or how "normal" people are supposed to be.
If you are prepared, you won't be as stressed out, confused, frustrated, or angry and resentful as the people who are trying to cope without information.
Decline is going to happen, and not recognizing it, and taking action will be detrimental to the patient or loved one.
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Learn as much as YOU can about their disease, its progression, and sign post behaviors.
YOU can help them so much better if you know what you're looking for and what it means. Most of us have zero experience and context for what is happening, so you can't go by what your kids did when they were little or how "normal" people are supposed to be.
If you are prepared, you won't be as stressed out, confused, frustrated, or angry and resentful as the people who are trying to cope without information.
Decline is going to happen, and not recognizing it, and taking action will be detrimental to the patient or loved one.
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Encourage laughter, joy, pleasure.
Encourage healthy eating (but NOT at the expense of pleasure -- that comes first).
Encourage physical activity. Even minor movement is better than no movement. And movement that gives pleasure is best. Dance!
Be comforting. Do not be confrontational. Get into the world the loved one inhabits.
Accept that the progress of the disease is out of your control, but aim for making each day the best it can be.