SENIOR MOMENT

By Betty K. Munsey/Columnist

Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease that robs individuals of their mental capacities and devastates their families as they watch their loved ones mentally slip away. I dedicate this column to my beloved sister-in-law who has struggled with the ravages of Alzheimer’s for the past 10 or more years instead of enjoying what should have been her mid-life lovingly surrounded by her children and grandchildren. I’m thankful that she seems content with her world inside the walls of an advanced Alzheimer’s care unit where she receives excellent state-of-the-art care.

It’s likely that you too know someone who is struggling or has struggled with Alzheimer’s. They probably are not as famous as these high profile Alzheimer’s patients, former President Ronald Reagan, Norman Rockwell, Winston Churchill, Rosa Parks, and Pauline Phillips who is better known as advice columnist Dear Abby. University of Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach extraordinaire Pat Summit announced this past summer she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s yet hopes to continue coaching as long as possible. Sadly it is estimated another person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every seven seconds.

Volumes of research have been produced on identifying possible causes, developing treatment options, and hopefully very soon finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is one of the most valuable sources of information and support.

Even though early stage patients are frequently cared for at home, as the disease progresses home care becomes more difficult and often impossible.  In-home care is initially provided by family members who can quickly experience caregiver stress or burnout evidenced by anger, exhaustion, depression, irritability, and physical health problems.

I recently talked with a distraught daughter who is struggling to provide in-home care for her mother whose Alzheimer’s is progressing rapidly. She was extremely tired, depressed, and in need of a sympathetic ear but even more she needed ideas for providing care for her mother.

Help is available and varies with the individual situations. Reach out to fellow family members especially siblings to help shoulder the responsibility if not with time then with money for employed caregivers. Investigate whether the person’s insurance plans provide for in-home assistance even if on a limited basis. Hiring a neighbor or a sitter to stay with your loved one while the caregiver takes a break is a good investment for both the patient and the caregiver. Adult daycare programs are available in many communities and provide respite care with stimulating environments, nutritious meals, and limited medical care.

Enlist the help of your church family or close friends with grocery shopping, picking up medications, and/or stopping to visit with the patient even if only for an hour (preferably longer) so the caregiver can enjoy some fresh air. Search the phone book for governmental and private agencies that provide information and community services for homebound patients. Be prepared, without guilt, for the time when residential care is the only option knowing that you’ve done your best for your loved one.

As a side note: “The Notebook”, a movie frequently shown on the Hallmark Channel, is a tender love story set against the ravages of Alzheimer’s and is most worthy of your watching.

Contact Betty Munsey at seniorthoughts@yahoo.com.