WINNEMUCCA - It is not too late to sign up for and attend the Northern Nevada Alzheimer's Conference to be held at the Nugget in Sparks Friday, May 11, beginning at 8 am. As I have mentioned before, this is an excellent opportunity to hear knowledgeable speakers, learn about the latest research and just to interact with others who are facing similar dementia dilemmas. For those who cannot attend, I will take notes and forward them to anyone who would like additional information. It isn't the same as being there, but it will provide you with insight.
While you are signing up, the Walk to End Alzheimer's takes place Sept. 22 at the Sparks Marina. This lovely locale is the perfect spot to spend a meaningful Saturday morning. Details of both events (and much more) are available at the www.alznorcal.org website.
An Alzheimer's cure has become prominent in the news, among medical professionals, politicians and the public. There has been a bit of a wake-up call as our population lives longer increasing the probability of Alzheimer's disease. No, dementia is not inevitable, but it is possible. Education and awareness now may make a tremendous difference in your future.
Last week's news included a blurb on the benefits of berries for your brain. Berries, it appears, especially dark ones like blackberries, are helpful in many ways (weight control, diabetes friendly and mind protection). I had to laugh in spite of the seriousness of the research. After all this is 2012, Alzheimer's has been recognized for its cognitive impairment for over 100 years, and a prime recommendation for health is to eat more berries. This sort of feels like grabbing at straws - or rather strawberries.
But it seems like any hopeful message is to be embraced. With no cure for the disease near and prevention even further away, hoping and maintaining a positive belief dotted with extreme patience is about all we possess. That is where support groups offer much. Here is a place to learn from the experiences of others and receive re-enforcement for your actions and thoughts in return. Camaraderie, one item offered in abundance, is powerful and reassuring. A local member commented that something she really appreciates from our monthly gatherings is the chance to participate in an adult conversation that has no backtracking, repetition and expanding confusion. Straws again? Perhaps. But these straws seem to possess some buoyancy too.
And so some tips - A person with Alzheimer's may do or say something over and over - like repeating a word, question or activity. In most cases, s/he is probably looking for comfort, security and familiarity.
• Look for a reason behind the repetition. Try to find out if there is a specific cause or trigger for the behavior.
• Focus on the emotion, not the behavior. Rather than reacting to what the person is doing, think about how he or she is feeling.
• Turn the action or behavior into an activity. If the person is rubbing his or her hand across the table, provide a cloth and ask for help with dusting.
• Stay calm, and be patient. Reassure the person with a soft voice and gentle touch.
• Provide an answer. Give the person the answer that he or she is looking for, even if you have to repeat it several times.
• Engage the person in an activity. The individual may simply be bored and need something to do. Provide structure and involve the person in a pleasant activity.
• Use memory aids. If the person asks the same questions repeatedly, offer reminders by using notes, clocks, calendars or photographs, if these items are still meaningful to the individual.
• Accept the behavior, and work with it. If it isn't harmful, don't worry about it. Quietly ignoring or simply agreeing often works.
This advice appears easy and doable. It is! But it is challenging for caregivers who undergo this repetition over and over, 24/7, in a never-ending cycle. How does one keep sanity while dealing with this enormous, weighty stress? Again patience - loads of patience - and the caregivers guide to the universe: love. One wonderful aspect of caregivers is that they seem to be able to look behind the present and remember the goodness of the past. In my experience when children become caregivers for parents it is often the "naughty" child or the one who most sought acceptance who transforms into this role. Admirable, difficult, essential. Gentle caregivers do make the world better.
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Gini Cunningham is the facilitator for the Alzheimer's Association Support Group, which meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon at Humboldt General Hospital.[[In-content Ad]]
