You and your family may already be walking with Alzheimer’s disease, or you may have a friend, neighbor, relative, or colleague who is, in any case; Having a basic understanding of Alzheimer’s disease will help you understand the challenges and empathize with the options faced by people who travel with Alzheimer’s disease on a daily basis.

As of yet, there is no known cause or known cure for this disease. Even as I write these words, I hope that for many who will read this book several years from now, these words are no longer true, that the cause has been discovered and a cure developed.

This book does not even begin to scratch the surface of all the elements that included Alzheimer’s disease, but contains some of the things you need to know to “get going” in case Alzheimer’s disease touches you or your partner. family on a personal level. The information contained here will help you put together your own Alzheimer’s disease prep kit that will give you the ability to effectively identify and DEAL with the various changes that included Alzheimer’s disease and also SEE that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully it will give you a better sense of direction, lessen many frustrations and fears, but most importantly, it will make your Alzheimer’s journey that much easier.

It will introduce you to many tips, tricks, tips, and aids that will make the caregiving experience smoother and easier, while providing essential caregiver support.

Even if Alzheimer’s disease does not invade your immediate family, it is likely to challenge a friend, neighbor, relative, colleague, or someone you counsel on a professional level. The more you know about Alzheimer’s disease, the better prepared you will be to offer sensitive support, sure you know what to say and when to say it – what questions to ask and which to leave alone – what kind of assistance is needed, and have the courage to offer it. In other words, it can be the voice of HOPE that will help others to FACE and also BE the light at the end of someone else’s tunnel.

Alzheimer’s is a sneaky disease; Many times the first signs are so small that we explain them so that when the force of the situation arrives, we will be stunned, moved and sent in a hurry for help, courage and options.

Why? Because we are not prepared. Being prepared for Alzheimer’s makes sense. Being prepared for Alzheimer’s disease makes awareness earlier, acceptance easier, and any action or decision we need to take or make more effective and more educated.

Let’s get ready!

To be prepared-

Chapter 1 – Life Favors Prepared

When we think of preparation, we can’t help but think of the Boy Scouts because their motto is “Prepare.” Basically this means being prepared in both mind and body to think ahead of any accidents or situations that may occur, so that we know what to do at the right time and are willing to do it! In other words, we need to prepare our brain to plan and be prepared to face difficult situations in case we face them.

For example, we all practice some kind of preparation every day. This category of preparation is what we can call: “Basic preventive preparation”.

We keep an extra set of house or car keys. Why? Because they blocked us or we found out from someone who was and what a hassle it was to get back inside. Often times, just being caught off guard once or twice will catapult us into a mode of preparation.

• We have extra food on hand in case the children or grandchildren are close to mealtime.

• We have an umbrella in case it rains, not because we are afraid of the rain, but because “wet” is not the look we wear well.

• We have sunscreen, insect repellent, and hand sanitizer on hand at all times.

• We have a spare tire in the trunk, as well as a blanket or two and a few granola bars in the glove compartment in case we get stranded in the snow.

• Backups of all shapes and sizes. We only have to lose our information once for this to take hold in our mind.

• Maps or a GPS system for travel, because stopping and asking for directions turns Jack and Jill into Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The next level of preparedness that we are adept at is at a more intermediate level and this is what we do to protect ourselves, our family and our assets. We will call this: “Protective Preparation.”

• We have home insurance in case our home is damaged or destroyed.

• We have auto insurance in case we have an accident.

• We have health insurance for everyday situations or life-threatening emergencies.

• We have life insurance to provide security and protection to our families.

• We have disability insurance to recover or support our family if we can no longer be the provider.

• We practice financial and wealth planning to protect our assets.

The third level is for events that can sculpt or shape our own existence. This preparation is: “Preparation that changes life”

• Floods: we are prepared to comply with an evacuation order.

• Storms: We have evacuation routes, gathering places, emergency survival kits, and we know the safest places to be if we are caught inside or outside.

• Fire – We know how to queue quickly and smoothly, and we have an escape route mapped out at home. We know the air is best close to the floor, the words “stop, drop and roll” are etched into our brains, and we have a predetermined gathering place outside to account for all family members to avoid running back into a building on fire to hunt down anyone.

We have all this knowledge and information about these “possible” events and situations that “could” occur, although we fervently hope that they do not; And most of the time, they won’t.

So why don’t we prepare for one of the most life-altering challenges that we or someone close to us “can” or “can’t” experience? That challenge is Alzheimer’s disease.

We wouldn’t jump without a rope, or try to fly without a plane, so why try to deal with Alzheimer’s disease with some kind of preparedness plan?

Next chapter – Chapter 2 – Is there an elephant in your room?