{"id":9267,"date":"2016-05-06T07:00:06","date_gmt":"2016-05-06T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=9267"},"modified":"2016-05-02T14:51:39","modified_gmt":"2016-05-02T19:51:39","slug":"you-receivied-an-alzheimers-diagnosis-whats-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2016\/05\/you-receivied-an-alzheimers-diagnosis-whats-next\/","title":{"rendered":"You Received an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis – What’s Next?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You Received an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis – What’s \"YouNext?<\/h1>\n

No one wants a diagnosis of Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>, but it\u2019s becoming increasingly common. This year, one in every 9<\/a><\/strong> adults age 65 and up has the disease, which means that if you (or someone you love) are diagnosed<\/a> with Alzheimer\u2019s, you\u2019re not alone. As with any progressive disease diagnosis, you\u2019ll need to take some time to process the news, think about how to proceed, and build a support network to help you cope with the challenges you\u2019ll face.<\/p>\n

Give yourself time to absorb the news<\/h2>\n

Right after a diagnosis, you may feel a range of emotions, from fear and anger to disbelief and maybe even relief that someone has put a name to your symptoms. You may need time alone, but try not to isolate yourself over the long run. Your doctor may be able to recommend local groups or counselors who specialize in dementia issues. He or she may also have suggestions about how to tell your family and friends about your condition.<\/p>\n

Other helpful resources for newly diagnosed people are<\/p>\n

What Happens Next?<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 a free, downloadable booklet from the National Institute on Aging written by people living with early-stage dementia<\/p>\n

Living with Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 a free, printable workbook from the Alzheimer\u2019s Association to help manage and plan daily life after your diagnosis<\/p>\n

Talk to your doctor<\/h2>\n

After you\u2019re diagnosed, make a habit of writing down questions for your doctor as you think of them to bring to your next visit. It\u2019s OK to ask the same question more than once, and it\u2019s a good idea to bring along a friend or family member to take notes if you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed. Be honest with your doctor about your symptoms and changes you\u2019ve noticed. That information is the key to an effective treatment plan.<\/p>\n

Expand your support network<\/h2>\n

Besides your doctor and close family and friends, you have other options for support. Your local senior center or community center may host support groups for people with Alzheimer\u2019s and their caregivers. The Alzheimer\u2019s Association chapter closest to you may run in-person groups, and the AlzConnected online forum<\/strong><\/a> offers discussion groups for caregivers and people with dementia.<\/p>\n

You may also want to check in with your clergy member and find a therapist who understands the challenges people with dementia face. If cost is a barrier to getting help, ask your local area agency on aging if free or sliding-scale counseling is available in your community.<\/p>\n

Take good care of yourself<\/h2>\n

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer\u2019s can bring on a lot of stress, and it\u2019s important to counteract that with activities that help you feel better and let you focus on something unrelated to your health issues. Yoga, tai chi, walking and other low-impact forms of exercise can lower your stress level while boosting your health.<\/p>\n

Feed yourself well. WebMD says that eating lots of fruit, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty-acid rich fish may have a protective effect<\/strong><\/a> on brain cells. Now is a good time to explore the Mediterranean diet<\/a>, which is also a good choice for protecting your heart health and for losing (or at least not gaining) excess weight.<\/p>\n

Make time to do the things you want to do and to spend time with people you care about. Staying socially connected can help you remain positive and emotionally healthy. If you feel worry or anxiety that doesn\u2019t lift within a few weeks of your diagnosis \u2013 or if your feelings overwhelm your ability to function \u2013 ask for help, and remember that you\u2019re not alone in living with Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You Received an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis – What’s Next? No one wants a diagnosis of Alzheimer\u2019s disease, but it\u2019s becoming increasingly common. This year, one in every 9 adults age 65 and up has the disease, which means that if you (or someone you love) are diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s, you\u2019re not alone. As with any progressive disease diagnosis, you\u2019ll need to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2198,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,200,35,2],"tags":[330,125,45],"class_list":{"0":"post-9267","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-alzheimers-care","7":"category-families-caregivers","8":"category-senior-health-fitness","9":"category-senior-living","10":"tag-alzheimers-care-2","11":"tag-dementia-care","12":"tag-senior-health"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYou Received an Alzheimer's Diagnosis - What's Next? - SeniorAdvisor.com Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You Received an Alzheimer's Diagnosis - What's Next? There's a lot to process and plan for. 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