It’s hard for people who have not been touched by Alzheimer’s to understand what it’s like. They have no concept of how difficult it is for the person with the disease and the people who care for them. Like me, a daughter watching her mum deteriorate piece by piece. You mourn for the person every day as their capacity diminishes. It’s cruel, it’s heartbreaking and very sad, and it can go on for years.
People living with Alzheimer’s need lots of love, support and understanding – particularly from family and friends – and it matters not what stage of the disease they are in.
“He or She doesn’t remember me” is no excuse to abandon the person.
Furthermore, as dementia education and awareness continues within the health system and to the general public, people from all walks of life will better understand the challenges and consequences the disease brings.
Eventually I hope that the ignorance and perhaps fear (perceived or otherwise) of how to deal with dementia will diminish, and each person is treated with understanding, respect and dignity, wherever they are.
In the current edition of NeuRA magazine there is a story about a 46 year old woman with the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. She says “I want people to understand how we feel. People with Alzheimer’s need support because we are trying our best. Trust me, we get frustrated enough with ourselves to please don’t get upset with us when we don’t understand. We are a bit slow.”
To read the whole story go to http://neura.edu.au/news-events/neura-magazine and it’s the winter 2015 edition.
When you help someone with Alzheimer’s smile, it brightens their day as well as yours. There is a sense of wellbeing that is difficult to describe. You have to experience it, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Support, understand, be patient and support some more.
People living with Alzheimer’s need lots of love, support and understanding – particularly from family and friends – and it matters not what stage of the disease they are in.
“He or She doesn’t remember me” is no excuse to abandon the person.
Furthermore, as dementia education and awareness continues within the health system and to the general public, people from all walks of life will better understand the challenges and consequences the disease brings.
Eventually I hope that the ignorance and perhaps fear (perceived or otherwise) of how to deal with dementia will diminish, and each person is treated with understanding, respect and dignity, wherever they are.
In the current edition of NeuRA magazine there is a story about a 46 year old woman with the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. She says “I want people to understand how we feel. People with Alzheimer’s need support because we are trying our best. Trust me, we get frustrated enough with ourselves to please don’t get upset with us when we don’t understand. We are a bit slow.”
To read the whole story go to http://neura.edu.au/news-events/neura-magazine and it’s the winter 2015 edition.
When you help someone with Alzheimer’s smile, it brightens their day as well as yours. There is a sense of wellbeing that is difficult to describe. You have to experience it, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Support, understand, be patient and support some more.
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