Alzheimer's - A National Family Crisis

Often Alzheimer's, Dementia, or significant memory impairement are spoken in a hush. The medical community doesn't have the answer and families don't know what to do either.

The fact is that we need to start SHOUTING and NOT WHISPERING about the dreadful diseases of Alzheimer's and dementia. Almost 6 MILLION have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Plus there are another 25-35 MILLION with significant memory impairment who need care now while we all wait for that miracle cure from the drug companies.

Now, I'm not minimizing the importance of research and the tremendous efforts of so many. But I personally know how it goes after the diagnosis and have interviewed many others who got the same result as I did. Which is: "Your (fill in the blanks) has Alzheimer's. It is a progressive disease that has no cure. Here is a prescription for X, Y, and Z medications which will slow the progression and slow the agitation and anxiousness. Keep them involved as much as possible and I'll see you in six months. WOW! Give them these drugs and do the best you can?? WOW AGAIN!

In my research I found that the best activities for Alzheimer's treatment are keep them healthy, get physical exercise, and maintain as much brain exercise and social activity as possible. Some examples are cognitive skill activities and games, looking at family photos, and interacting with family and friends.

This brings up another point. WHERE have all the family and friends gone since learning that and seeing _____________ is suffering with the progressive effects of Alzheimer's. We are all SO human. With the fact that it is often very uncomfortable dealing with the memory impaired; we often chose not to deal with it and we don't. THIS IS ANOTHER REASON THAT MY HAT IS OFF TO THE PRIMARY CAREGIVER who has no choice but to provide love, care, and treatment for dementia affected person.

This is why I've learned that there has to be a better way to care for and treat Alzheimer's, Which is:

1. We need a "simplified" medium through which other family and friends can communicate with the impaired and still fit it into their otherwise busy lives
2. Need a way to provide the impaired some sort of surrogate memory
3. Need a way to organize themselves to some small degree
4. Provide some brain exercise and cognitive activity
5. A way to know where they are
6. A way to keep them as involved as possible so that they feel a part of life.

From my 9 years as a primary caregiver for Alzheimer's, I believe that a treatment plan and caregiving plan such as this would benefit millions. It would definitely reduce the loneliness and frustrations experienced by the memory impaired. Also, it will provide relief and much needed help for the oft forgotten primary caregiver.

Sincerely,

Ted Lindsay