For those who have just been diagnosed as well as for those who are living with the illness, depression is a very common additional condition that will befall them. After all, an active patient will have a hard time reconciling her or himself to a lifestyle that involves giving control of finances and basic living decisions over to loved ones. Similarly, since these diseases are incurable, she or he will often have to battle with the finality of the diagnosis. Caregivers may sometimes have a hard time determining if depression has snuck up on their loved ones, but as a general rule of thumb, a prolonged exhibition of some of the symptoms of depression is a good indicator that something is amiss:

Your loved one may suffer from the doldrums for extended periods of time where nothing and nobody will be able to cheer her or him up.

She or he may voice to you concerns of becoming a burden, being worthless, or feeling extremely guilty for “doing this”, meaning getting sick, to you and the family.

Are your symptoms really a problem?

This question may sound obvious – after all, you wouldn’t be at the doctor if you weren’t concerned. However, memory loss can be the result of any number of benign issues, and after discussing it with your doctor you may discover that the symptoms you are experiencing are minor when compared to symptoms of medically specified memory disorders.

Could Alzheimer’s be behind your symptoms?

Alzheimer’s is naturally a person’s first concern when they begin to experience noticeable memory problems. Alzheimer’s is not the only thing that could be causing your problems, and though diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is complex, your doctor, in some cases, may be able to rule it out entirely on your first visit.

What non-Alzheimer’s conditions could be causing your problem?

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a matter of ruling out other conditions. Understanding what other conditions your doctor is considering keeps you informed and allows you to be a pro-active patient. Being aware of some of the possible conditions may help alert you to lifestyle changes you can make that may affect your symptoms.

In most cases, we see these common mental slips and think nothing of them. At times, the brain just doesn’t seem to want to engage when you ask it a question like, “What are six times three?” Not only is it a natural happening throughout life, but we also attribute it to old age – as time goes by, you tend to get a bit more forgetful. “Seniors tend to be somewhat absent-minded,” some might say and, for the most part, it’s true. Most people, who suffer brief lapses in memory or thought, are not suffering from Alzheimer’s disease but, for a select few, these very subtle signals can be just the tip of the iceberg.

Alzheimer’s disease can be much like a cat, stalking a mouse. At first, its approach is barely noticeable and easily overlooked; victims suffer minor memory lapses, where they forget details of recent events, twist things around or, sometimes forget names, faces, or directions. Math and spelling may cause the occasional pause but, generally, these ‘spells’ are short-lived in those who are in the first stages of Alzheimer’s. Making things even more difficult is the fact that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have no specific test that can be given to reveal their presence. In fact, the only way that a doctor can be 100% on a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, to date, is for an autopsy to be performed on the patient, after s/he has passed away. While a doctor may suspect or speculate that the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease, he can never be 100% sure of this. There is no test that may be performed, that will diagnose this condition.

As the condition progresses, the patient becomes more confused and their forgetfulness now begins to interfere with their daily activities and routines. The person suffering from the second stages of Alzheimer’s disease may forget to brush his teeth or will leave the house without brushing his hair. Sometimes, it can be more drastic, like the person trying to walk out of the house without clothing or heading out into the snow in their bare feet.

To learn how to obtain patience, you first must understand exactly what patience is. If you are patient, then you don’t need immediate gratification, and you are capable of just sitting back, and waiting for something to happen without experiencing either anxiety of frustration. If you are patient you have the ability to tolerate others, and be more understanding. With patience you’ll be able to hang onto a relationship, even when the going gets tough. Instead of riding on the emotional rollercoaster, you’ll be able to level off the ups and the downs, and wait for what’s coming to you. You’ll be able to relax in spite of the challenges that you face on a daily basis.

How do all of these qualities relate to those with dementia? Well, as we know, dementia patients often need to have something repeated several times, and they may struggle with relatively simple activities. This is no fault of theirs of course, but rather of the disease. If you’re capable of relaxing, and waiting for them to process the information, it will provide a stronger basis for your relationship with them. To start with, you won’t feel rushed for them to accomplish their goal, and neither will they. If you rush the patient, they’ll simply become frustrated, and their self-esteem will drop. You will become frustrated, and even angry, and the relationship between you and the patient will be heavily strained.

Knowing all of these bad things, how does one go about developing patience? Is there some simple method? In short, the answer is no. Developing patience takes time, but there is a method to do it. First, remember to take every day one at a time. When you’re with a dementia patient, take each activity one at a time. Make sure that two activities don’t rely on each other. That way, if the first activity doesn’t work out, you’ll still have the second one to go to. Next, make sure that you’re accepting the reality of the situation you’re in. When you’re with a dementia patient, you have to learn to accept the limitations that the disease has placed on them. Don’t give them more than they can handle. Now is not the time to see how far you can push someone, as you’ll both just end up frustrated.

Consider five common myths about Alzheimer’s disease as well as the reality.

Myth One. My parent or grandparent has Alzheimer’s disease. That means I’ll probably get it too.

Reality: Although genetics can be involved in the disease, did you know only five to ten percent of total cases are actually the direct result of genes? The majority of cases have no definite or identifiable cause. Nothing can explain why Alzheimer’s disease develops or who is sure to inherit it. Even a healthy lifestyle and good diet, while generally a good defense against ill health, is not a sure protection. Alzheimer’s disease can affect anyone. Understanding this fact can help others to be sensitive to patients’ needs as well as better informed on the reality of this disease.

Myth Two. I’ve heard there is a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Reality: While that would be wonderful news, unfortunately there is no cure at this time. There are medications and forms of therapy that can manage the symptoms in some individuals. As far as a definite cure goes, researchers continue to look into this disease and remain optimistic.

The first type of drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease is a class of medications called “cholinesterase inhibitors.” Drugs in this class are the most commonly prescribed to patients. The first cholinesterase inhibitor was approved by the FDA in 1996 and is called donepezil, or its brand name Aricept. In 2000, rivastigmine, brand name Exelon was approved. Galatamine was approved for treatment in 2001. Its original brand name was Reminyl, but in 2005, it was renamed Razadyne.

Cholinesterase inhibitors work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger that helps the brain in maintaining memory and process information. Only about half of the patients taking cholinesterase see any improvement in brain function, and these patients only see moderate improvement. This is because although the medications help keep acetylcholine levels high, they cannot prevent cell damage from spreading. Eventually, the damaged cells will not be able to make use of the acetylcholine. In early stage Alzheimer’s disease, however, these medications sometimes can delay the deterioration process.

A unique drug called Mematine, or its brand name Namenda, was approved in October, 2003 for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Mematine is in a class of drugs called “uncompetitive low to moderate affinity N-methyl-D-aspertate (NMDA) receptor antagonist.” Mematine is the only drug of its kind currently on the market in the US. Unlike the cholinesterase inhibitors, Mematine works by suppressing the activity of the chemical messenger glutamate in the brain. A certain amount of glutamate is needed to help the brain store and retrieve memories, as well as process information. This is achieved when the glutamate signals a cell to allow calcium into the cell, which in turn stimulates memory. However, too much glutamate in the brain signals the cells to allow too much calcium to penetrate. Too much calcium in the cells causes the cell to die, increasing the damage to the brain. Studies into the effectiveness of Mematime have shown mixed results. The most significant improvement, or slowing of deteriorating, has been shown in patients taking both Mematine and one of the cholinesterase inhibitors.

Here are four tried and true tips to make the most of your loved one’s care at home and ensuring in the process that her or his quality of life is preserved to the maximum amount possible:

1. Plan activities. The mistaken mental picture of many about care giving in the home is that of the loved one lying in a big bed resting. This may be true for a portion of the time, but not on a consistent basis. As a matter of fact, you and your loved one will be able to enjoy many activities together! Not only do these activities help your loved one to preserve a sense of self-esteem, but they will also provide something to look forward to. Obviously, you will want to make sure that you engage in activities that your loved one is physically capable of enjoying while also being of interest to her or him. For example, if your loved one loves to go to the mall, you may wish to plan such outings frequently. Many times wheelchairs may be rented, and you may spend a rather enjoyable day window-shopping. Of course, if she or he does not enjoy this kind of activity, such an outing would do nothing to make the day fun. Find things you and your loved one both enjoy and then plan on doing them together as often as possible.

2. Depending on the illness of your loved one, there are times when her or his mental faculties may diminish. For example, an Alzheimer’s sufferer, or any other patient who suffers from a form of dementia, will experience a decrease in the ability to effectively communicate. At first you may realize that your loved one is searching for the correct word, but later on she or he may have trouble with keeping focus or following her or his train of thought. In times like these it is important to be prepared and keep the conversations easy and without frustrations. You may wish to use shorter sentences yourself, only convey one idea per sentence, keep good eye contact, smile encouragingly, and allow your loved one the time she or he needs to communicate her thoughts.

There are a number of steps a caregiver can take that will help both her or him as well as the loved one take this new hurdle of incontinence in a stride, and with a bit of preparation and know how, the embarrassment may be reduced and a feeling of dignity will be preserved for the patient. Here are five suggestions to make this process easier:

1. The urge to use the bathroom propels us to excuse ourselves from activities and go in search of these facilities. Unfortunately, when a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, she or he will sometimes not recognize this urge anymore. She or he may literally forget to use the bathroom prior to leaving the house or during activities. This will then result in embarrassing episodes of loss of bladder or even bowel control. Knowing that this is part and parcel of this disease, the caregiver should purchase adult incontinence products, such as adult briefs, that will help to reduce the occurrence of embarrassing public moments. Be certain that your loved ones has the products easily accessible and knows how to put them on. Similarly, it will not hurt to have a couple of spares in your purse when accompanying your loved one to go shopping or on other errands.

2. While at home, make sure that your loved has easy access to the bathroom. This means that it is only a few short steps from her or his bedroom to the bathroom, and it also means that you, as the care giver, ensure that your loved ones dresses in such a manner that clothes may be removed quickly and easily when visiting the bathroom. There are many attractive clothing options available for patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and none of them have cumbersome buttons, snaps, drawstrings or zippers that make using the bathroom harder than necessary.

Before discussing a degenerative disease like Alzheimer’s, you must plan in advance for what the child could feel. You need to be prepared for every possible way the child could take the news, so you’re ready no matter what happens. The first and most common emotion when a child learns of the disease is that of sadness. The child is sad, and uncomfortable with what is happening to the relative. This is followed closely by confusion and fear. Children don’t have a very good grasp on what Alzheimer’s is, and even with the best of explanations they’re still going to be confused about why Grandma has begun to behave differently than usual. After they’ve figured out what exactly Alzheimer’s is, many children will be hesitant to spend time with Grandma, believing they might catch the disease, or that their parents will. You must put that fear to rest immediately, so that the children know they have nothing to fear.

On the other side of the emotional spectrum, some children may begin to develop somewhat darker emotions. These include anger, frustration, guilt and jealousy. The reasons for those are varied. Some will be angry because they have to repeat questions, or will have trouble doing activities with the relative. After that, they’ll feel guilty for being angry, believing that they should know better. Later on, they may even become jealous or resentful of the Alzheimer’s victim, mostly because of the increased time that the rest of the family seems to spend worrying about them.

To discuss Alzheimer’s with a child, you have to keep everything simple, while at the same time preparing them for what’s to come. Make sure you fully understand it, so that you know how to answer questions when they inevitably pop up. Tell them that Grandma is still the same person she always was, but that she won’t remember things that well and sometimes she won’t know what she’s doing. Make sure you mention that the disease is not contagious.

In many cases, dementia can be reversed when an underlying syndrome that is treatable causes it. Dementia caused by hormonal imbalances of the thyroid, parathyroid, or other endocrine system diseases can be cured when the hormonal imbalance is corrected through medication. The same goes for dementia caused by vitamin imbalances or deficiencies – B vitamins are especially important for brain functioning, and pernicious anemia – a lack of vitamin B12 absorption – can cause dementia. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is another correctable root cause of dementia.

Treating the depression can treat dementia that is present with an accompanying mental illness, like severe depression. Depression can, of course, be difficult to treat, and so the dementia by association also can be difficult to address in this instance.

Some treatable dementia is actually even preventable. Dementia brought on by drug and/or alcohol abuse can clearly be prevented through personal choice. Head injuries that lead to dementia can be made less likely by wearing a helmet when cycling and wearing seat belts while in a car.

Not all kinds of dementia are reversible, however. Alzheimer’s disease is not curable and damage to the brain cannot be reversed. With early diagnosis, some patients with Alzheimer’s disease may be able to slow the progression of their symptoms with the help of certain medications, or a combination of medications. Conflicting evidence exits suggesting dietary supplements, like Ginkgo Biloba or vitamin E, put off the march of the disease, however, doctors are skeptical.