Moving Toward Acceptance

There's nothing more difficult to comprehend than being told that someone we love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. We recognize that Alzheimer's affects entire families and that the preparation for changes in their loved one's personality and cognitive ability are just beginning.

Caregivers may be able to accept the future implications of the diagnosis on an intellectual level, but it can be challenging to understand and accept it emotionally. 

This denial drives some caregivers to the point of exhaustion in the unspoken conviction that through unceasing efforts they can somehow bring the progress of the disease to a halt. It fuels the frustration of even the most devoted family members, who find themselves at times bothered by a loved one's erratic behavior as if it were something he or she could control.

Alzheimer's Support Groups Can Help

There is no easy path from denial to acceptance, yet every step you take toward acceptance will make you a better caregiver. Alzheimer's support groups, hosted by many of our Sunrise communities and other local organizations, are available to help you along that road.

You can learn a great deal just by listening to how other people face similar challenges. And you can take advantage of the opportunity to express your own feelings to people who can truly empathize with you.
 
Ultimately, the true value of a support group is that it can help you come to terms with the limitations we all share as human beings--and understand that neither you nor your loved one are to be blamed for their condition. This knowledge can free you to be a more compassionate caregiver, to concentrate on the things you can do to support your loved one, and to feel proud of the love and care you have provided them.

You can locate an Alzheimer's support group in your neighborhood by calling your local Sunrise Senior Living community.  For more information, visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com.