Losing It

Alzheimer's and dementia are some of the most mystifying diseases that can happen to a person. The fact that it is typically a slow building of forgetfulness and uncharacteristic behavior helps us to be able to detect it at an early stage, but there is still no cure for the disease at this time. Medications can help, but progression is inevitable. On top of that, there are so many different "flavors" of the disease that treatment approaches can be different for each individual, making it even more difficult for those who are giving care.
I worked in long term care for three years as a CNA, and saw countless examples of the disease, along the entire spectrum. I've been punched by someone who normally loved me, unrecognized by people who knew me yesterday, and witnessed massive hallucinations take place. This disease is torturing to watch take place, for those who it is taking as well as those who are watching from the outside. It isn't always though...there are good days and bad days just like anyone else. The hardest part for a caregiver is the unpredictability of the disease, the hardest part for the ill is the same. I was able to go to an Alzheimer's and Dementia conference by Teepa Snow, an expert on the diseases. It was so helpful to learn of all of the various ways the individual can be affected and how to handle each of these. Many people try to right the wrong...telling the ill that no, they can't go to work, they don't work at the bank anymore...when it's much better to kind of "jump in" to their world, and just tell them the bank is closed today, it's a holiday! Or create a diversion so not to upset them by pointing out their forgettfulness. There will only be more and more cases of this as time goes on, and the more we can learn about caring for these people before there is a real cure, the better off we will all be.