Alzheimer's disease, as with many chronic illnesses, will affect you both physically and mentally. It is important to realize that you are not alone and that if you feel you need help coping, you should consider seeking counseling. Working with a trained mental health care provider, you can develop the right treatment plan.

What Are the Different 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 for further counseling or medical care, if needed. These services are provided by community health agencies, help lines, and hotlines.
• Family therapy. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can affect the entire family. If you are the primary provider in the home, there can be financial strain. If you are a homemaker, there may need to be adjustments in the distribution of chores. These everyday strains combined with the emotional effects of dealing with a long-term illness have an enormous effect on the family dynamic. Family therapy can help family members resolve issues among each other. It also can help them adopt ways to help another family member cope better. Family members can learn how actions and ways of communicating can worsen problems. With help, new and improved ways of communicating can be explored and practiced.
• Group therapy. In group therapy, people join in a group and discuss their problems together. The session is guided by a counselor. Members in the group often share the same problem, but not always. The group session provides a place where people can confide in others who understand and share their struggles. They also can learn how they see themselves and how they are seen by others. Members gain strength in knowing that they are not alone with their problems. Group therapy is useful for a variety of problems.
• Individual counseling. The person meets one-on-one with the counselor. Counseling often takes place in the privacy of the counselor's office. This type of counseling works well when problems originate with you and your thinking patterns and behaviors. Also, 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, this may be appropriate.
• 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. A program can last more than a year or just a week or two. Settings include hospitals, home-like structures, and clinics. The person focuses mainly on his or her problem and on getting well. Other activities, such as work, school, family, and hobbies, take a backseat to treatment. In most programs, the person receives counseling daily and participates in regular group therapy. Additional counseling may be needed after residential treatment has ended.
• 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 support groups for people with Alzheimer's disease and also for their families and caregivers.
  

Where Do I Start?

Ask your physician doctor to refer you to a person with expertise in mental health. Specialists trained in mental health care include family therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals.

The Assessment 

During the initial interview, you will be asked to describe why you want counseling, any symptoms you have (emotional, mental, and physical), and your medical history.

What Happens After the Assessment?

Once you complete the assessment, a treatment plan will be devised. At this time, you and your counselor can discuss:

• The best type of counseling.
• The best place 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.
  

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