Caring
for Someone With Alzheimer's Disease
Taking
care of someone with Alzheimer's disease is not an easy
task. It is important to understand the disease
and its effects on a person's behaviour. For example,
if she throws her dishes in the garbage, it may be because
she is trying to get rid of something dirty. She is trying
to help but can no longer accurately interpret her environment.
More
than physical care
Most
people think first about the physical care that the person
with Alzheimer's disease will need. Though that is extremely
important, the spiritual side of a person's nature also
needs care and nourishment.
The
person
"...people
do not consist of memory alone. People have feelings,
imagination, drive, will and moral being." O.Sacks
A
person with Alzheimer's disease does not stop needing what
made her feel happy and contented in the past. She needs
to stay in contact with family and friends. She needs
to feel secure and comfortable at home. If poetry, music,
or walking in the woods were enjoyable and satisfying,
then they should still remain part of her life.
Dignity
Everyone
deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Often
respect is measured in little things, such as the way
you help a person get dressed, how you take her to the
toilet, or whether or not you talk about her to others
when she is still in the room. We all need to remember
how important these things are.
Religion
The
person with Alzheimer's disease should be able to continue
her participation in the services of her own house of
worship. If the person can no longer attend religious
services, it may be possible for a minister, priest,
rabbi or religious leader to come to her home.
Lighting
the candles on Sabbath, taking communion, watching religious
services on TV and listening to spiritual music may be
comforting ways to help fill the person's particular
need.
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