I'm sure I'll see all of my readers at Alive Inside. Presentations are on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. at Humboldt General Hospital, 7 p.m. at the Humboldt County Library, and Thursday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. at Pleasant Senior Center. Having previewed this inspiring film, I can say it speaks volumes about memory, cognition, and how we care for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias. While parts are sad, there is no way around that, it is also uplifting to observe individuals spring to life when they hear a favorite song from long ago. Remarkable.
Two points particularly grabbed me. The first is the power of music to draw out the person hidden within the tangled web of memory loss. Significant music was more beneficial than strong, anti-psychotic medicine. The second was adolescents who assisted residents with programing the iPods with familiar melodies. When asked "How about some Beatles?", smiles and rhythmic body movement seized control and the tune jumped onto the playlist. Young people filled with tenderness helping others is marvelous.
Now I have a favor to ask of you. By the end of the film I just knew that "Memory Care Unit" is an inappropriate term for a residential Alzheimer's/dementia facility. After all, the residents "memory" has vanished (or they would not be here), "care" is too general and extremely inadequate, and "unit" sounds like a military squad. What would ring more true in describing this dwelling? I challenge you to discover the answer and then share it. Maybe tomorrow as I run I can be more creative than "Cognizance Residence" or "Awareness Inn".
My research this month led me to an article "Is It Really Dementia?" by Paula Span. She points out that just because someone gets lost or repeats herself, does not mean it is Alzheimer's. Several cases that mimicked cognitive destruction actually were other problems including alcoholism, chronic depression, or drug ineffectiveness or counter-reactions. Dr. Doraiswamy of Duke University Medical Center estimates that "when doctors suspect Alzheimer's, they're right 50 to 60 percent of the time." What a horrendous margin of error! About 25 percent of the cases diagnosed have other types of dementia such as Lewy body (associated with hallucinations) and the wrong medicines or misdiagnosis can make matters worse.
The last 15 - 25 percent "usually have conditions that can be reversed or at least improved." Forgetfulness occurs as we age, but it is slow and subtle. Sudden problems over a few days or weeks do not indicate degenerative disease but more likely are conditions such as thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, or sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea, that can be "fixed" relatively easily through tests and medicine adjustment. A neurologist or gerontologist can best analyze and evaluate cognitive decline. Unfortunately, "When it looks like dementia, sadly, most of the time it is."
An article by Bruce Grierson, "What if Age Is Nothing but a Mind-set?" has a more positive drift. Citing evidence from her studies, psychologist Ellen Langer found that when individuals are given incentives to remember, they do. "Indifference was being mistaken for brain deterioration."
In one study, elderly residents of a facility were given a plant then divided into two groups. Group one was in charge of plant care - feeding, watering, providing sunlight. They were responsible for keeping the plant alive. They were also allowed choice about their daily schedules. The second group was told that staff members would care of the plant and they were not given the opportunity to make decisions. Eighteen month later, twice as many subjects in the plant-caring, decision-making group were still alive. Offered responsibility, they gained a sense of purpose: this plant needs and depends on me; I have personal autonomy over the events of my life.
"If people could learn to be mindful and always perceive the choices available to them, they would fulfill their potential and improve their health." People need to notice the moment-to-moment changes around them and "actively make new distinctions rather than relying on habitual categorizations."
We are alive inside. Using our minds, being attentive, finding daily purpose empowers and motivates us. Living longer because of better nutrition, work conditions, and health care, we must also live better - strong, brilliant, mindful, and engaged in the bustling activity surrounding us. Take this opportunity to exercise your cognition to its maximum capacity. The exhilaration leads to omnipotence.
A great cognitive expander is the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning - the ideal start to a family gathering. Register at www.lovedignityalzheimers.net.
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