6 Ways to Enrich Your Life and Prepare for the Future With Alzheimer’s Disease

After an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, one of the most empowering things you can do is take steps to ensure you continue living a fulfilling life while preserving your independence and prioritizing safety. “My advice is to focus on what you can do, not just on what you may eventually lose,” says Elizabeth Edgerly, PhD, vice president of care and support at the Alzheimer’s Association. “Focus on staying physically active, socially connected, and engaged in the activities that matter most to you.”

And while it’s natural to feel grief, fear, and anxiety, learning about the condition and available resources can help you manage the road ahead, says Lealani Mae Acosta, MD, an associate professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. “It’s important to look forward to see what may help you maintain your level of function, through smart interventions,” says Dr. Acosta.

These six pillars can guide you in taking care of yourself now and preparing for the future.

Routines can be a source of comfort for many people and particularly helpful for those living with Alzheimer’s disease, especially as the condition progresses. “When memory loss is more severe, things that are unexpected or unplanned can be confusing, and this can lead to anxiety, anger, or agitation,” says Alexander Frolov, MD, a neurologist who specializes in memory and cognitive disorders at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. “Routines can help you remember what’s next through repetition.”

• Stick to consistent times for sleeping and waking, meals, physical activity, and taking medication.
• Do activities you enjoy, such as going on walks and socializing with friends.
• Use calendars and reminders to keep up with your schedule.
• If you take medication, ask your doctor to simplify the regimen to once-daily dosing.
• Minimize altering your schedule as much as possible.
• Arrange for automatic bill payment and check deposit.
• Try to schedule recurring appointments on the same day of the week and at the same time.
• Keep keys and other essentials in the same place at home.
  

“When thinking about establishing routines, try to make sure your goals are realistic,” says Stacey Lipio Brothers, PhD, an assistant professor of neuropsychology and clinical neuropsychologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. Avoid overscheduling yourself, which can lead to frustration or fatigue, and adjust your routine over time as symptoms, needs, or abilities shift.

• Remove any furniture with sharp corners, or cover them with protective pads.
• Install grab bars and nonskid adhesive strips or a mat in the tub/shower.
• Add railings along stairs and ensure the steps are carpeted. You can also mark them with bright tape to ensure visibility.
• Remove throw rugs, or secure them to the floor to prevent slipping.
• Tuck electrical cords out of the way.
• Install nightlights and lights with automatic sensors.

To ensure your safety on the go, get in the habit of always carrying a cell phone so that friends and family can track your location. Program it with the numbers of loved ones you can call if you need help. You might also want to wear a medical alert or identification bracelet in case you get lost.

• Get regular exercise through activities such as gentle stretching and yoga. Be sure to follow your doctor’s guidance.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in beans, berries, fish, leafy green vegetables, nuts, poultry, and whole grains. (Check out the MIND diet.)
• Engage in cognitive-health-building activities, such as being active in creative hobbies, playing word games, solving puzzles, and staying social.
• Join a support group, maintain close relationships with people you can confide in, and establish a social network of people, either in person or online, with a similar diagnosis.
• Care for your spiritual health. Some people prefer religion, while others gravitate toward nature. Some people enjoy solitary moments and calming activities, such as yoga. Others find meaning through connecting with family and friends.

• Identify stress triggers, and find ways to avoid or minimize them (for example, if grocery shopping is stressful, consider having a loved one join you or having groceries delivered).
• Spend time with people who help you feel relaxed and understood.
• Talk to someone you trust, who can let you express your feelings openly. That can be a loved one or a mental health professional.
• Change your environment if you’re feeling stressed. If you’re in a loud, chaotic, or otherwise overwhelming setting, find a quiet place where you can calm down and refocus.
• Take breaks if a task seems too difficult, and get plenty of rest in general.
• Incorporate relaxing activities into your life, such as listening to music, keeping a journal, or gardening.

• Set realistic goals for what you can accomplish in a day. Feel empowered to ask for help when needed.
• Approach tasks one at a time. If you get stuck, come back to it later.
• Give yourself more time to complete tasks.
• Make modifications to daily tasks and hobbies. For example, you might find it easier to purchase precut vegetables to simplify dinner prep, or opt for large-text books or short stories to keep up with reading.

Even as you take steps to improve your life with Alzheimer’s in the present, it’s important to plan ahead for a future in which your needs will change. That means making legal, financial, and caregiving arrangements to help protect yourself and your family.

• Addressing healthcare and caregiving needs
• Designating what happens to your finances and property
• Choosing who can make decisions on your behalf

• Power of Attorney for Healthcare You can name someone to make decisions about your care once you’re no longer able to do so, including care settings and end-of-life decisions.
• Durable Power of Attorney for Finances and Property You can name someone to manage your bank account, investments, and other assets when you’re unable to yourself.
• Living Will Also called an advance directive, in this document you’ll state what medical treatments you do or do not want, such as treatments to prolong your life.
• Living Trust You can transfer all of your assets and property into a pooled trust and give instructions on handling it when you can’t manage the trust yourself. To carry out your instructions, you’ll name a trustee.
• Standard Will This document states how your estate will be distributed after you die.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a legal and financial worksheet that can help you keep track of your assets, benefits, documents, and more.

These can be stressful and emotional topics to discuss, but the earlier the better, so you can meaningfully participate in these conversations, says Dr. Frolov. “But even if it wasn’t done early, having these discussions and leaning on your doctor and your other support system for help is important.”

• Family, friends, and neighbors
• Your primary care doctor, neurologist, and other specialists
• Community support groups and services

As time goes on, you may need caregiving assistance and may someday need to receive care outside your home. To help with both finding and paying for the care you need, the following resources may help.

• BenefitsCheckUp This resource from the National Council on Aging lets you search for federal, state, and local programs that can help you pay for food, healthcare, utilities, and more.
• Eldercare Locator This tool from the federal government lets you search in your area for services covering caregiving, housing, transportation, and more.
• CaringInfo This program from the National Alliance for Care at Home can help you navigate different types of caregiving and healthcare options.
• Medicare.gov Medicare beneficiaries can search for doctors, home health services, nursing homes, and more on the site.
• Social Security You can check your eligibility for benefits, including nutrition assistance and monthly payments for certain older adults with low levels of income and resources.