Alzheimer’s Coping Strategies When You’re Also Living With Other Conditions

Living with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t necessarily mean you’re more likely to develop other health conditions. But it’s common to be managing several health concerns at the same time.

As physical or emotional challenges can sometimes make Alzheimer’s symptoms worse, your overall health and well-being are a top priority.

Neurological physician assistant Athena Loughrin, PA-C, explains how other health concerns can affect Alzheimer’s and what you can do to manage them.

Tips for handling Alzheimer’s when living with other conditions

When you have Alzheimer’s, your brain is already working harder to keep up with everyday life. Add in something like an illness, a hospital stay or major emotional stress, and your brain may have an even harder time managing everything at once.

“Your brain is a very impressive organ. It gets around problems pretty well, but it also controls everything you do,” says Loughrin. “So, if something acute happens, like a heart attack or pneumonia, it puts extra strain on your brain as it tries to confront the immediate issue.”

That added strain can make it harder to think, function and manage your everyday needs. And even as you recover, your Alzheimer’s symptoms may not return to the way they were before.

That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your health and adjust your care as symptoms evolve. Loughrin shares management strategies that can help.

Improve your heart health

One common area of concern involves your cardiovascular health and how well your blood vessels carry blood throughout your body, including your brain.

Brain imaging scans for people with Alzheimer’s commonly show small blood vessel changes over time. If those changes become significant, you may be diagnosed with vascular disease.

That’s one reason Loughrin emphasises managing risk factors like:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking

“What’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” she says. “If you’re not already seeing a cardiologist, work with your primary care provider to check your cholesterol and blood pressure levels at least once a year.”

In between appointments, focus on improving heart health by:

• Doing aerobic exercise
• Reducing stress
• Eating heart-healthy foods
• Quitting smoking

Take a coordinated care approach

When you have several health conditions, it’s common to have several providers involved with your care.

Your neurologist or another dementia specialist will manage your Alzheimer’s care. But your primary care provider will usually be your main point person for your overall health. Depending on your needs, you may see other specialists, too, like a cardiologist, endocrinologist and physical therapist.

“Make sure all of your providers know about your diagnoses and the medications you’re taking,” states Loughrin. “A pharmacist can also review your medications to avoid potential interactions and side effects.”

Work physical activity into your schedule

Exercise won’t stop Alzheimer’s from progressing. But if staying active helps you maintain your physical health, mobility and independence, it could make a lasting impact.

Exercise has many health benefits. The more active you are, the lower the risk of illness and disease. And physical activity can boost your mental health, too.

“People who are in better physical shape do better with Alzheimer’s,” shares Loughrin.

The kind of activities that are right for you will depend on your abilities and overall health.

But she recommends walking at least once a day and finding a way to work aerobic exercise into your routine.

If balance and mobility are a concern, physical therapy may be helpful. A physical therapist can evaluate your abilities and recommend exercises and strategies to reduce your risk of falls.

Simplify how you manage medications

When you’re treating several health conditions, medication management can become tricky.

You may fill your weekly pill organizer correctly. But as your memory changes, you could take Tuesday’s medications on a Monday and accidentally double-dose. Or you could take the wrong medication altogether. These mistakes can happen to everyone, even people who don’t have Alzheimer’s — but they may become increasingly more likely as your condition progresses.

“It helps to have a caregiver somewhat involved in the process,” recommends Loughrin. “Having someone else there to look it over and make sure it’s correct can help avoid mistakes.”

Automated medication dispensers and smart devices are another option. They can be loaded and locked ahead of time, then they sound an alarm and open automatically when it’s time for you to take your meds.

“These devices may help you keep a routine medication schedule more accurately,” she continues. “They can be very helpful for people who really want to keep their independence.”

And talk with your healthcare provider if pills become hard to take. Don’t crush or alter medications without first checking whether it’s safe to do so.

Track important symptoms

Changes in the way you behave or think aren’t always a result of Alzheimer’s getting worse. Other health conditions can affect how you think, feel and function, too. And as the disease progresses, it can become harder to recognize a symptom or explain what’s wrong.

Your loved ones and caregivers should pay attention to changes in your usual behaviors, like:

• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Grimacing
• Lack of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping

These changes could signal an underlying problem, like a urinary tract infection or pain. Dizziness and falls deserve close attention, too, especially when you’re taking medications for conditions like high blood pressure.

“When something changes suddenly or significantly, let your care team know,” stresses Loughrin. “They can look into what might be causing these changes.”

Stick to your routines

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, predictability becomes increasingly important. Make managing your health part of your daily routine by:

• Taking the right medications on time
• Eating and drinking at regular intervals
• Being physically active at least once a day

As your health changes, you may need to adjust your environment and create new routines that fit your needs.

“Alzheimer’s is progressive,” notes Loughrin. “Eventually, you may need more reminders and more hands-on help from a caregiver.”

The same goes for medical care. Loughrin says there may come a point when traveling to appointments becomes difficult. Virtual appointments can sometimes make continued care easier.

Use caregiver resources

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and other illnesses isn’t easy. It can be physically and emotionally taxing for everyone involved. But that doesn’t mean you and your loved ones are alone in this journey. Help can come in many forms:

• Friends and family may be able to share responsibilities and oversight.
• Social workers can help navigate outside resources.
• Adult day programs and in-home caregivers can provide supervision and assistance.
• Respite care can provide temporary care in a facility, giving your regular caregiver a break.
• Community support groups can offer connection, camaraderie and social support.
• Housing and other long-term care options can provide round-the-clock care.

Whatever resources you choose, Loughrin says you shouldn’t wait to explore your options.

“Start looking around early for the kinds of services and support you may need,” she advises. “That way, if you do need to make a change, you don’t have to scramble to figure it out.”

That planning is especially important because a change in care isn’t always prompted by Alzheimer’s. Your caregiver could get sick or develop their own health concerns and suddenly be unable to provide the same level of support.

There may come a time when you need more help than you did before. That’s part of managing a progressive condition. But building a support system early can make those transitions easier and help make sure both you and the people caring for you get the support you need.