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Read our stories about Canadians who are doing their best to boost their brains whether through exercise, reducing stress or laughter. These stories are a personal look at how people are taking the healthy brain challenge and how the disease is touching just a few Canadians.
Alzheimer's Disease is a Family Affair
"Sometimes Grandpa just seems mad at
me," says Lilla, who continues to have a
close relationship with her grandfather even
though he has Alzheimer's disease. It is a
difficult disease for children to understand.
"We don't want the girls to be upset and afraid around their
grandfather," says Virginia Carpenter, mother of Lilla, 8,
Jylelle, 11, and Jenna, 13. "That's why it is so important that
we talk to the kids about Alzheimer's disease."
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| Kaela Gilchrist |
"There are a lot of kids affected by Alzheimer's disease and
the number is rising," states Joanne Bracken, Executive
Director for the Alzheimer Society Of Saskatchewan. "One of
our goals is to create a generation of compassionate young
people better able to understand the disease." Like many
Alzheimer Societies across Canada, the Saskatchewan
Society has created an education program for school children
that focuses on the importance of maintaining relationships
with people who have Alzheimer's disease. It also gives
children the tools and advice they need to better interact with
people who have the disease.
The Alzheimer Society Of Saskatchewan has developed the
Just 4 Kids section on their web site, which is designed
to complement the in-school program and helps children
everywhere understand and cope with the affects of
the disease.
"The web site contains tips and basic information that are
good for everyone," says Virginia who used the Just 4 Kids
section to help her children understand what is happening
with their grandfather. In particular, her oldest daughter Jenna
uses the communication skills that she has learned at Just 4
Kids. The web site also helped the girls learn how they could
explain the disease to others. This has been important because
the girls' friends are welcome in their grandparents' backyard
pool. The girls have educated their friends in order to explain
how the disease affects their grandfather's behaviour.
"I try not to feel bad when he says things that sound mean,"
says Jylelle. "I really try to remember that he doesn't mean it."
"He recognizes Grandma, but he doesn't know who you are,"
reminds Virginia. "You would likely act the same way if you
thought strangers were in your house eating your food,"
she explains. Explaining the disease in a way that the girls
can relate to improves their understanding and empathy for
their grandfather.
Even so, the realities of the disease can be very difficult. "I tell
him I love him as I am saying good bye, like I usually do,"
remembers Jenna. "But he usually does not say he loves me
back. That is really sad, but when we talk about it in the car
on the way home I feel better," she adds smiling.
| Make the Commitment
to Brain Health |
It's never too soon or too
late to make changes for
brain health.
And since a healthier brain can withstand
illness better, it's important to take action on
the things you can control – lifestyle choices. |
|
 Stay active and involved with life. You'll send healthy messages to your brain
and body that help to reduce stress, boost
mood and keep relationships strong.
• enjoy events with family and friends,
pick up the phone, stay connected
through email, and accept or extend
invitations to socialize
• reach out to others, especially those
living with Alzheimer's disease to
prevent isolation
|
| Take personal time for yourself. Find a balance that will help limit stress and
maintain optimal health. |
Protect your head. Children and people of all ages need to
protect their heads. Brain injuries, especially
repeated concussions, are risk factors for
the later development of Alzheimer's
disease. So it is important to protect
your head at every age.
• wear a helmet for sporting activities
• always wear a seatbelt and ensure
children are
buckled-in
|
Initially the girls would cry if Grandpa was cross or didn't
remember them. "Now they seem to look forward to sharing
what happened during our drive home and sometimes we are
able to laugh at something that was said," says Virginia. In
that way the girls are able to let go of the hurt. "Some of it can
be pretty scary," explains Virginia. "Laughter helps make it a
little less scary."
Virginia is quick to acknowledge that laughter may not
always be appropriate, but for now it is helping them. "We are
in no way trying to belittle the seriousness of the disease,"
explains Virginia. "We feel we have to keep a degree of
humour for as long as possible. We know that our family has
a difficult journey ahead."
Another thing that seems to help the girls cope is raising
money and awareness for the Alzheimer Society. They have
participated in the Alzheimer Society Of Saskatchewan's
Forget-Me-Not Walk for three years. Each year they have put
a team together consisting of friends and family members.
Jenna is always in charge of writing the team cheer and
Virginia usually takes charge of creating the team costume.
Last year the girls' team, The Puckheads, won the top
fundraising team honours for the Regina walk.
"They understand how important it is to support the
Alzheimer Society," says Virginia. "Not only does the
Society provide information and support to help us deal with
the day-to-day challenges of the disease. But we want
to support research to find a cure or better treatments for
the disease."
"While we understand the impact Alzheimer's disease has on
older people – those who have the disease and their
caregivers – there is often little attention paid to the impact
the disease has on children," reminds Joanne Bracken. "Yet
we know that experiencing Alzheimer's disease through a
child's eyes can be frightening and confusing; especially if
the person who has the disease is a close relative such as a
grandparent or parent."
Despite the progression of his symptoms, Jenna points out
that she makes sure she talks to her grandfather each visit and
when she leaves she hugs him and tells him that she loves
him. "He probably still needs a hug everyday just like the rest
of us, maybe even more so," she adds displaying the
tremendous compassion that is possible when children have
an understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
After this story was written – sadly the children's grandfather
Dean Boesch passed away in May, 2008. The family will miss him
greatly and agreed to publish the story as an inspiration to other
families dealing with this often difficult disease.
Download this story (PDF)
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