When a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, often little is given to the patient or the family as they all are entering a very long journey of feelings of anger, disbelief, grief, depression, fear and concern.
It would be my ideal that each family who must experience this disease is given a coach to help them find joy and peace on this path that can be filled with potholes. The professional could help families review and update legal tools that will be needed for decisions in the future, help them look at all the options for the future and help them plan for the costs as well – enlightening them to entitlements and benefits.
The coach would get to know the family on an intimate level and know what types of interventions would work well for the patient and each family member. How we approach a challenge will vary from person to person and from family to family – we are all unique.
When the families have the trust in one single person or a small group of people to guide them on this journey, they truly can be freed to live and find joy in the moment.
Often professional Geriatric Care Managers are experienced at Alzheimer’s family coaching and, with just one visit a month, can give families the life line then need to find peace of mind and quality of life despite having to traverse a disease that steals minds. At Eldercare Services, we have been guiding families in this manner for many years.