"The moment my mom got her official diagnosis, I dropped all my assumptions about Alzheimer's. It was so freeing." -Member of myALZteam

Caring for someone with a chronic condition can be difficult but also an opportunity to rid yourself of what you think you know.

Have you heard the saying, "People don't get it until they get it"? That is so true about Alzheimer's disease.

"The more I learn about Alzheimer's, the more I realize that it's no one's fault." -Member of myALZteam

An Alzheimer's diagnosis forces us to drop our negative assumptions about life with a chronic condition. Members on myALZteam gain perspective from other members' experiences to become better informed about what it's really like to care for someone with Alzheimer's.

Here are recent conversations from members of myALZteam:

• "It's the 'new normal' for us and I need to accept it and adjust to it. We'll never have the old normal back again so it's no use to wish for it or be angry because we don't have it. We need to move forward and try to embrace it and make the most of what we have left. Sad, but realistic."
• "Learning what to expect and beginning to understand proactive actions eases this new normal. Implementing ways of applying shortcuts and picking the right battles to conquer also has a way of controlling some stress for both of us."
• "I am overwhelmed with trying to get ready to support them and learning how to care for them. I know this is a long road but we are just getting started."

What negative assumptions have you let go of about Alzheimer's? Tell us about it in the comments below or directly on myALZteam.com.