Alzheimer’s disease (AD), like many chronic illnesses,
will affect you both physically and mentally. It will also affect your family,
friends, or other caregivers. It is important to realize that you are not alone.
If you feel you need help coping, or your caregiver feels that you or your
caregiver need help coping, please consider seeking counseling.
The decision to seek counseling is an important step.
Too often, people do not get help because they feel guilt, shame, or
embarrassment. By deciding to get help, you have made a choice to feel better
and to improve your life. Counseling services should be chosen with care to meet
the needs of each specific situation. Working with a trained mental health care
provider will help you develop the right treatment plan.
Where do I start?
First, the person with AD will have an "assessment," a review of their
mental health. The assessment is done by a person trained in mental health care.
These specialists include family therapists, social workers, psychologists,
psychiatrists, and other professionals. (Your health care provider can refer you
and/or your caregiver to a mental health care professional.)
The assessment is used to diagnose the problem and
determine the best treatment. You and/or your caregiver will be asked to
describe why you want counseling, any symptoms you have (emotional, mental, and
physical) and your medical history. You may be given a question-and-answer survey.
What happens after the assessment?
Once you complete the assessment, a treatment plan can be chosen. At this
time, you, your caregiver, and the counselor can discuss:
- The best type of counseling
- The best setting for counseling (counselor's office, outpatient clinic,
hospital, residential treatment center)
- Who will be included in your treatment (you alone, family members,
others with similar problems)
- How often you should go to counseling
- How long counseling may last
- Any medications that may be needed
What are the types of counseling?
The following list briefly describes common types of counseling. These can
be used together or alone, depending on the treatment plan.
- Crisis intervention counseling — In cases of emergency (such as
initial despair over diagnosis), the counselor will help you get through the
crisis and refer you to further counseling or medical care, if needed. These
services are provided by community health agencies, helplines, and hotlines.
- Individual counseling — The person meets
one-on-one with the counselor. Counseling often takes place in the privacy
of the counselor's office. Some problems are very personal and difficult to
confront with others present. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety,
or grief in dealing with your Alzheimer’s disease, this type of counseling
may be appropriate.
- Family therapy — A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
disease can affect the entire family. There may be financial strain or
problems with getting chores done. Family therapy can help family members
resolve issues with each other. It can also help them adopt ways to help
another family member cope better. Family members can learn how actions and
ways of communicating can worsen problems and learn more useful ways of communicating.
- Group therapy — In group therapy, people
discuss their problems together in a session guided by a counselor. Members
of a group often share the same problem, but not always. The group is a
place where people can confide with others who understand their struggles.
Group therapy is useful for a variety of problems.
- Long-term, residential treatment — The person
receiving therapy lives at a treatment center. The length of stay can vary,
depending on the treatment program and progress of therapy.
- Self-help and support groups — These include a
network of people with similar problems. These groups usually meet regularly
without a therapist or counselor. There are self-help groups for those
coping with Alzheimer’s disease.
References
Alzheimer’s Association. Living with Alzheimer’s.
www.alz.org Accessed 8/5/2011
National Institute of Mental Health. How to Find Help. www.nimh.nih.gov Accessed 8/5/2011
National Alliance on Mental Illness. Treatments and Services.
www.nami.org
Accessed 8/5/2011