Health Tip: Talk to Loved Ones About Your Alzheimer's

Share information and feelings with family and friends

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(HealthDay News) -- Being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is difficult to accept, and it can be uncomfortable to share these feelings with your loved ones.

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Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:

• Offer a basic explanation of the disease; that it is not just normal part of aging, but a brain disease that significantly impairs memory and behavior.
• Encourage others to learn more about the disease, including the possibility of joining a support group.
• Talk to your family and friends about your reaction to the diagnosis, sharing your fears and concerns.
• Tell them what you may need and want from them in the future, and that your relationship and their support are important to you.
• Explain that you enjoy and want their company, despite pending physical and mental changes triggered by the disease.

-- Diana Kohnle