Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Knowing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease is important for early detection and diagnosis. Family members often are the first to notice the signs, but they may struggle with how to approach their loved one about scheduling a doctor’s appointment. Once they do broach the subject, they may be met with resistance or denial. When receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the individual and their family may be at a loss for what to do next. As professionals, it is important to help older adults and their families to navigate this diagnosis and its aftermath by providing them with useful information and support. In this podcast, Lakelyn Hogan explores the challenges of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, how to overcome them and offers helpful resources to share with those you serve.Lakelyn Hogan, PhD, is a gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead. She educates professionals in aging, families and communities on the unique challenges that older adults face and the resources available to help them thrive. Hogan has worked in the private and public sectors of senior care services and has spoken at national and international conferences on caregiving and aging, plus serves as a resource to the media. She is a board member of the National Alliance for Caregiving, board chair for the Dreamweaver Foundation and vice chair of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Dementia Care Provider Roundtable.Contact Lakelyn : [email protected]:Download the slides from this web seminarOn Aging 2021, the annual conference of the American Society on AgingConfidence to Care Book A resource for family caregivers providing care at home to an individual living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.Free Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias Daily Companion appTo download, search “Alzheimer’s daily companion” in the app store or click here.Helpforalzheimersfamilies.comFree online family education modules, monthly “Live Chats” with guest experts, dementia respite care grant applicationFacebook Community: Search: “Remember for Alzheimer's Families”Caregiverstress.comGeneral caregiving resources, Free professional CE webinarsIn-Home Support: Home InsteadBook:  The Best Friends Approach by Virginia Bell and David TroxelAlzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900UsAgainstAlzheimers.orgA-List: Patients and families transforming Alzheimer's researchAssociation for Frontotemporal DegenerationLewy Body Dementia AssociationDementia Alliance International