Early-onset Alzheimer's disease

People with early-onset Alzheimer's disease must understand that life is not over. While it's true that your life will change, particularly as the disease progresses, there are things you can do to maintain a meaningful and productive life. It is especially important to continue with activities and interests you can still enjoy, and take comfort in the support of friends and family.
Yourself

Alzheimer's disease affects each person differently. You will have good days and bad days. Try to maximize the good days and not dwell on the bad days.
Remember, you are not alone. Consider joining a support group. Call your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for information on support groups for people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Don't keep your fears and feelings inside. Seek professional counseling, and/or share your feelings with your friends, family, or a clergy member.
Take care of yourself. Get regular checkups, and follow your doctor's recommendations about diet, exercise, and taking medications.
Family and friends
Talk openly with your spouse about issues that are important to you, such as finances, household and child-rearing responsibilities, and sexual intimacy. Look toward future caregiving needs, and try to make plans and decisions together, ahead of time. Encourage your spouse to join a caregivers' support group.
Talk openly with your children about the disease and your symptoms. Understand that your disease affects your children, as well. In addition to being concerned about you, your children may have understandable fears about developing Alzheimer's disease themselves. When appropriate, include your children in making decisions that affect the whole family. Encourage them to become involved in a support group. Consider recording your thoughts, feelings, wisdom, and memories, so you may pass them on to your children.
Don't tune out your friends. Share your experience of living with Alzheimer's disease. Stay as active as possible for as long as possible. Invite your friends to attend educational programs about Alzheimer's disease.
Career
As your disease progresses, you may find job-related tasks more difficult to perform. Plan when and what you will tell your employer about the disease, and at what point you should no longer work.
Make adjustments so that you may continue to work as long as possible. This will help to maintain your income and independence, and boost your self-esteem. Consider asking to be placed in a position that better matches your skills and capabilities, or to reduce your work hours.
Investigate all possible options, including early retirement, as well as ways to access all benefits available to you through your employer.
Financial and legal matters
Plan ahead for financial needs, knowing that eventually you will have to leave your job and will lose income. Meet with a financial counselor who can help you investigate insurance, investments, and other financial options.
Talk with your family and doctor about what medical treatments you want to receive in the event you become unable to communicate your wishes. You may wish to prepare an advance directive, a legal document that outlines your wishes for future medical treatment.
Organize all your financial and legal documents, as well as other important information (insurance policies, Social Security information, wills, etc.) in one place, and let your spouse and/or children know where to find them.

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