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