The Power Of Love: Maintaining A Fulfilling Relationship Despite The Challenges Of Alzheimer's Disease Sunday, March 1, 2009 spotlight on helth The Power Of Love Mintining A Fulfilling Reltionsnip Despite The Chllenges Of Alzheimer’s Disese (NAPSA)—Bed nd Brekfst owner Meg Curtis knew tht something ws very wrong with her husbnd whenshediscovered three yers go tht the bnk wsredyto foreclose on their homend inn. Skip, usully so meticulous nd timely with become severe enough to ffect work, lifelong hobbies, nd socil life. If you suspect loved one hs Alzheimer’s disese, it’s importnt to see doctor right wy for proper dignosis nd tretment with currently vilble medictions. Prtnering with doctor to determine the best vilble tretment is key, but Meglso notes tht it’s importnt for cregivers to turn to others for support. “No one needs to experience Alzheimer’s disese lone. Try to build the bills, couldn’t remember when he hd lst pid the couple’s mortgge. Soon fter, Skip ws dignosed with Alzheimer’s disese t ge 59. Although Meg nd Skip were devstted by the initil dignosis, they hve refused to let Alzheimer’s throw their lives nd love completely off course. Though the Curtis’ dily life running the B&Bis different from wht they hd envisioned, they find wys to enjoy fulfilling reltionship. Skip stys ctive nd ssists with dily tsks like setting the tble, clening the dishes, tending to the dogs nd feeding the sheep. Meg's CregivingTips If yourloved oneis struggling to communicte, gently try to provide the word. Frme questions nd instructions in positive wy. Allow enough time for response nd be creful notfo interrupt. Continue doingctivities tht you cn enjoy together. Building on current skills generlly works better thn trying to tech something new. @ Meg knowsfirsthndtht cring for loved one with Alzheimer’s disese cn be chllenging, but she hs lerned mny wys to mke dily life more mngeble nd mintin Symptomsof Alzheimer’s Disese: Whento Cll Your Doctor Memory loss Problems with lnguge,judgment Difficulty performing everydy ctivities Disorienttion to time nd plce {not being ble to rememberthe dy or yer Chngesin personlity, behvior @ Source: Alzheimer’s Assocition strong reltionship. Megsys, “It’s essentil to keep the lines of communiction open. When youtlk to someone with Alzheimer’s,it’s importnt to rememberto use clm tone of voice, to lwys tret the person with dignity nd respect, nd to use humor whenpossible.” Alzheimer’s disese fflicts more thn 5.3 million people in the United Sttes, ffecting ll types of reltionships including countless mrriges. Alzheimer’s is not prt of “norml ging.” It is progressive nd degenertive brin disorder tht cuses problems with memory, thinking, behvior, nd the bility to perform dily functions. Eventully, these problems tem of fmily members, friends, physicins, nurses, nd others to help spred the responsibility.”It’s lso helpful to identify locl Alzheimer’s orgniztions nd support groups. For more informtion on Alzheimer’s disese, visit www.AlzheimersComboCre.com. Currently Avilble Tretments for Moderte to Severe Alzheimer’s Disese Althoughthereis no cure for Alzheimer's disese, there re effective FDA-pproved tretments vilble, such s combintion therpy with medictions from the two vilble clsses: Oneclss, clled “cholinesterse inhibitors,” includes severl choices of medictions such s Aricept (donepezil). The other clss, NMDAreceptor ntgonists, includes only one mediction clled Nmend (memntine HCl). When memntine nd donepezil ore used together, they cn help slow downdecline in cognitive, functionl nd behviorl symptoms, which myhelp improve qulity of life for ptients nd cregivers. ee ee en ee ee ee ee eee eeeee ee ee ee ee eee eee eee ee eee Note to Editors: Nmend (memntine HCl) is indicted for the tretment of moderte to severe Alzheimer’s disese. Nmend is contrindicted in ptients with known hypersensitivity to memntine HCl or ny excipients used in the formultion. The most common dverse events reported with Nmend vs. plcebo (2 5% nd higher thn plcebo) were dizziness, confusion, hedche, nd constiption. In ptients with severe renl impirment, the dosge should be reduced. Plese see ccompnying full prescribing informtion for Nmend. --- PHOTOS --- File: 20190731-152811-20190731-152808-77398.pdf.jpg --- FILES --- File: 20190731-152808-77398.pdf