| Alzheimer's Disease is somewhat different | | | | memories that are slowly taken away from the |
| from many of the other neurological diseases. | | | | victim. While these memories are not taken |
| Alzheimer's disease is the only pathological | | | | away from the family members, greater strain |
| source that can short-circuit, and wreak | | | | results from a feeling of alienation. Many |
| havoc not only on the victim, but also affect | | | | family members feel that it's as though the |
| the care giver in ways I've not seen in any | | | | precious memories were taken away from |
| other disease.In fact, one could say the way | | | | everyone involved because the memories can no |
| Alzheimer's Disease develops and affects the | | | | longer be exchanged and enjoyed between the |
| victim is unique. This unique road leads to | | | | victim and family members.In another case, |
| stresses and strains on the care giver that | | | | the family felt a little guilty because of |
| are also unique. Assistance and resources for | | | | the things they had to resort to on behalf of |
| the care giver is just as important as | | | | their loved one suffering from Alzheimer's |
| getting medical attention for the patient.Who | | | | disease. In this case, the family had to |
| Is The Care Giver?Most often the care giver | | | | slowly take away things from the patient |
| is the spouse, or family of the victim. In | | | | daily for safety purposes. First they took |
| this case, the care giver not only cares for, | | | | away everyday items like razors for shaving, |
| but loves the victim very much. The care | | | | toothpaste and tooth-brush, then mouthwash, |
| giver can be someone who sits or stays with | | | | until the spare roles of toilet paper had to |
| the patient for certain durations of time | | | | be taken away. This was because the patient |
| throughout the day or week. Many times, I've | | | | was flushing entire rolls down the toilet |
| seen great numbers of family members provide | | | | without realizing what was going on. This |
| coordinated efforts when caring for the | | | | patient's family was particularly disturbed |
| patient.When observing care givers and | | | | because the Alzheimer's Disease victim was |
| families caring for a patient with | | | | someone who always took care of them, looked |
| Alzheimer's, I've seen certain | | | | after them, and someone who was well |
| characteristics that are unique to this | | | | respected in the community. This family |
| disease and very disturbing.I've seen cases | | | | loved the victim very much. They felt guilty |
| where, although the patient was suffering | | | | because the patient didn't deserve to be |
| from Alzheimer's, it seemed that the family | | | | treated in this way. However, they were |
| suffered somewhat to a greater degree because | | | | forced to take these measures, because they |
| of the fact that the patient could no longer | | | | had no choice. So it is with most other |
| remember things and wasn't aware of most of | | | | Alzheimer's Disease patients and family |
| the strains and stresses developing daily.The | | | | members.Alzheimer's disease indeed affects |
| Care Giver Suffers Along With The Patient | | | | everyone within the family and even friends |
| With Alzheimer's DiseaseFor instance, in one | | | | of the victim. The emotional strain can |
| specific case a woman was losing many of her | | | | cause changes in lifestyles and relationships |
| memories and deteriorating at a steady rate. | | | | that if not addressed and treated properly, |
| Although our therapists would work with her | | | | can cause damage to the loved ones.There Are |
| and try to build functional skills | | | | Resources For Families of Alzheimer's Disease |
| physically, and mentally, she seemed to not | | | | VictimsThere are Alzheimer's Disease support |
| be aware of her decline and was therefore, in | | | | groups, support functions, counselors, and |
| a way, spared the suffering and depression | | | | people to help families of victims who suffer |
| that came along with her decline. However, | | | | from Alzheimer's Disease. Physicians are |
| the patient's family suffered greatly because | | | | beginning to analyze in the literature that |
| they were watching their mother, and spouse, | | | | when Alzheimer's Disease develops, counseling |
| decline daily.In this case, the family | | | | and support for the family members are |
| confided in me that they feel as though their | | | | indicated, just as antibiotics are indicated |
| mother, and spouse, is slowly becoming a | | | | for a bacterial infection.If you suffer or |
| stranger. Although the family, and loved | | | | are suffering from the damages that |
| ones, realized that this is a pathological | | | | Alzheimer's Disease not only has on the |
| process and the patient could not help what | | | | victim but on the family, there are people |
| was happening, it was difficult for hurt | | | | and places that can help you. These people |
| emotions to not factor in the situation and | | | | can offer practical tips on how to cope and |
| add to the stresses.Since the patient | | | | deal with your specific strains and stresses. |
| commonly doesn't know what is happening | | | | Getting the proper help that you need when |
| during the Alzheimer's Disease process, to | | | | caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's |
| the outsider or analyzer, it would seem that | | | | Disease is just as important as our loved |
| the family suffers significantly more than | | | | ones getting proper medical attention. In |
| the patient only because the patient isn't as | | | | fact, it's just as important. Because, if |
| acutely aware. Because of this decrease in | | | | you don't take care of yourself physically |
| awareness, the patient is spared the mental | | | | and emotionally, you will have greater |
| anguish that accompanies the steady rate of | | | | difficulty caring for the one you |
| decline.The Closest Distant | | | | love.William Riopelle, MS PT, is a senior |
| StrangersAlzheimer's disease causes many | | | | physical therapist with over twelve years |
| innocent victims and families to become | | | | experience working with patients in the area |
| distant strangers because all of the precious | | | | of Home Health. |