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Insight Tools for Alzheimer's Caregivers |
Saturday, 25 March 2006
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<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial">Having spent my career as a Medical Social Worker and Elder Abuse Investigator it seems natural for me to share some insight for those family members and caregivers working with victims of Alzheimer's disease.<p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial"> <p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial">I will not take a Physiological and Psychological approach for delivering information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will leave that to Physicians and Therapists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What I would like to share is some practical information that has proven helpful to my clients and their families and caregivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial"> <p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial">First of all, I will say that being with a loved one or patient with Alzheimer's type dementia is difficult if not heartbreaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Seeing a person often familiar or most dear in an abyss of memory loss takes determination and strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The greatest barrier to appropriate care is accepting the relationship must <em>change</em> and must become <em>flexible</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is the burden of the caregiver to initiate these changes in order to provide safe and loving care.<p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial"> <p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial">The nature of this illness fluctuates and the direct caregiver would benefit from being able to do the same, emotionally and practically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Visualize the mind of the patient or loved one as a window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The window is often foggy, half open, closed or completely clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is nothing to report or timetable to follow that will provide access to what is going on behind the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The foggy window represents the normal lapses of memory and mild confusion going on during the early or mid-stage person with Alzheimer's.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The half-open state is the more obvious and severe fluctuation between clarity and confusion. It is during this phase that more agitation, suspicion, aggression and fear are displayed. This is the most difficult time for the caregiver and the most emotionally painful for the person being cared for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The closed or end-stage is the most painful for the caregiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The person behind the window is no longer home and often recognizes no one or nothing around him or her.<p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial"> <p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial">Activity in the affected brain is erratic and therefore there are often periods of clarity, comprehension with appropriate behaviors and responses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Knowing how to respond to these changes can reduce the burden of care, increase the safety of the cared for and bring some peace of mind and acceptance for the caregiver.<p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial"> <p> </p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: arial">In my next article I will address some basic strategies for coping with and managing the phases described above.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><p> </p></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'times new roman'; mso-ansi-language: en-us; mso-fareast-language: en-us; mso-bidi-language: ar-sa">© 2006 Sherry Mahi</span></p> Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
Sherry Mahi, MSW has Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Human Behavior and a Masters Degree in Medical Social Work. She spent 16 years as a Social Services Director in rehabilitation hospitals working with the frail elderly, families, caregivers, Alzheimer's patients and providing counseling for the issues of death and dying. Sherry worked as an Elder Abuse Investigator in Monterey County California prior to her retirement. Travel and making art have been a passion and emotional leveler through out her professional career. Sherry now makes her home in the Central Plains, where she assists with the care of her own elderly parents. She and her husband of 30 years are sharing their love for great coffee by establishing an internet business selling the world coffees they developed a passion for while traveling the world. You are invited to their website at www.coffeeroutesuppliers.com where you can also enjoy some of Sherry's original photography
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