"It's a bittersweet irony that those who care for those who suffer actually suffer even more than the sufferers themselves." In the first part of the series Stephen Morgan explains how life as the primary carer of a relative with Alzheimer's disease can be a real "tumultuous ride".
"I am a caregiver". As they say,
"straightforwardly". I write this article (the first in a series) in
my role as a primary caregiver and second author. I am currently the primary
caregiver for my elderly mother who is suffering from the advanced stages of
Alzheimer's disease. It is an extremely cruel disease (most are, I know)
because it robs people (mostly) of their dignity and their independence at a
stage of life when they need it most. In the United Kingdom, the Alzheimer's
Society claimed in a recent survey that over 750,000 people suffer from
Alzheimer's and related dementia problems. In the United States it is estimated
that around 4.5 million people suffer from Alzheimer's and that this figure has
doubled since 1980.
Furthermore, alarming statistics highlight the fact that
in the US alone, the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s could more
than double to between 11.5 and 13 million by 2050.
Alzheimer’s disease is said to be a progressive disorder
of the brain that slowly destroys a person’s ability to remember, learn,
reason, make decisions, communicate and carry out daily activities. As the
disease progresses, afflicted individuals may also experience changes in their
personality and display behavioral changes ranging from anxiety, agitation or
suspicion to delusions and hallucinations
Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new
treatments are on the horizon as a result of growing insights into the biology
of the disease. Research has also shown that effective care and support can
improve the quality of life of individuals and their caregivers from diagnosis
to the end of life.
Considering the long-term implications for Alzheimer's
sufferers, the hidden sociological impact will actually fall on the shoulders
of those who care for the sufferers because it is indeed a bitter-sweet irony
that those who care for the sufferers actually suffer more than the sufferers
themselves.
This fact in itself is largely responsible for the
conclusion of another recent survey and that was the fact that Americans are as
afraid of caring for someone with Alzheimer's as they are afraid of developing
the disease themselves. Nearly 1 in 2 American adults are more fearful of
caring for a partner or loved one who develops Alzheimer's. Less than 1 in 5
American adults indicate that they are more fearful of the disease than they
are of developing it themselves (17%).
The real problem from a caregiver's perspective is that
no two people experience Alzheimer's disease in the same way. As a result,
there is no one way to care. Your caregiving responsibilities can range from
making financial decisions, handling behavioral changes, to helping a loved one
get dressed in the morning.
Taking on these duties is hard work. But by learning
caregiving skills, you can ensure that your loved one feels supported and is
living a full life. You can also ensure that you are taking steps to maintain your
own well-being.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another
dementia-related illness can be very difficult, time-consuming, and stressful -
(this is seriously underestimated here). Here are a few more things a caregiver
can do to help a person with Alzheimer's disease as well as ease the heavy
burden that comes with caregiving:
* Be informed – knowledge is power. The more you know
about Alzheimer’s disease or any other symptoms of dementia, the better you can
prepare yourself to deal with problems that arise.
* Share concerns with the person – a person who is mildly
to moderately disabled can assist with their own care. Memory aids and other
strategies can be developed together by the person with dementia and the
caregiver. This is more difficult than one might expect, yet you need to check
it out. But, and this is a big but (please don’t laugh here) it is essential
that you realize that you are probably dealing with a person who, if even
slightly aware, will deny it.
* Solve one problem at a time – there may be many
problems that may seem insurmountable at the time. Work on one specific problem
at a time – you don’t have to solve all the problems at once. As the saying
goes "success is easy inch by inch, difficult yard by yard" and in this
case it has never been more true.
* Use your imagination - One of the keys to dealing with
this disease is your ability to adapt. In the event that something isn't
possible one way, attempt another. For example, if the person only uses their
fingers to eat, don't fight; serve as much finger food as possible!
* Set up an environment that encourages independence and
activity within limits Try to create a stable, balanced schedule for meals,
medication, etc., but also encourage activities that the patient can handle
such as going for a walk or meeting an old friend. Remember, the person with AD
is not the only one whose needs must be taken into account. As a caregiver you
also have needs and desires that must be met. In the first place, attempt to
set aside some margin for yourself. Even though this suggestion may seem
impossible, find some time during the week when you can ask someone else to
take care of the patient – be it a relative, friend or neighbour – and do
something for yourself.
* Avoid social isolation – Maintain contact with friends
and relatives. When you feel you have no one to turn to for help, you can
easily get exhausted. Another way to establish contact is to join the
Alzheimer's Association or other such support groups. Conversing with different
families who share a large number of similar issues as you can be consoling as
it assists you with realizing that you are in good company in your nonstop
battle.
FAQs
What is Alzheimer's disease
and what causes it?
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a
general term for loss of memory and other cognitive abilities severe enough to
interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's infection represents 60-80% of dementia
cases. Alzheimer's is unquestionably not a common piece of developing.
Why does dementia occur?
Another common type of dementia is vascular dementia. It
is caused by poor blood flow to the brain, such as with a stroke. Lewy body
sickness is one more reason for dementia in more established grown-ups. Individuals
with this condition have unusual protein structures in specific region of the
mind.
What is memory loss disease?
There are several forms of dementia. Alzheimer's disease
is the most common. Most forms of dementia continue to get worse until a person
dies. Certain conditions that increase the risk of heart and blood vessel
disease (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes)
also seem to increase the risk of dementia.
Which portion of the human body is impacted by Alzheimer's
sickness?
These cells send messages between different parts of the
brain, and from the brain to muscles and organs throughout the body.
Alzheimer's sickness upsets this correspondence, bringing about inescapable
loss of cerebrum capability as numerous neurons quit working appropriately and
ultimately pass on.
How to check if you have Alzheimer's?
Get standard medical tests, such as blood and urine
tests, to rule out other possible causes of symptoms. Order brain imaging
tests, such as brain CT, brain MRI or positron emission tomography, to diagnose
Alzheimer's or to rule out other possible conditions.
What is the best treatment for Alzheimer's?
There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but some medications
can help control symptoms of the disease and some can slow the progression of
the disease. Medications for Alzheimer's disease can slow or help manage
changes in memory, reasoning and other thinking skills.
What should you eat in Alzheimer's disease?
Foods like leafy vegetables, berries and salmon can help
protect cognitive function – and these healthy foods are a key part of the MIND
diet.
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