Just listening to this book and the few-minutes-long antidotal stories made me frustrated. I have learned that I am unlikely to be able to deal with caring for an Alzheimer's patient. My whole life's view is based on logic, which is totally devoid in an Alzheimer's patient. I have a grandparent on each side who had it and I will not be able to care for one of my parents if they develop this.
I completely support the ideas for care and the themes in the book. I completely believe the author has laid out the best way to care for someone suffering from this disease. This method is the most compassionate and effective method, and I just could not ever do it. (I'll take this moment to point out that I could not ever care for children for the same reasons.)
Much of the author's ideas make so much since once you understand how messed up an Alzheimer's patient's mind is. Their brain no longer understand or recognizes what they are looking at so they think their reflection in the mirror is a stranger, or painting/coloring the floor/vanity/walls around important items like toilets or sinks a sharply contrasting color to make it more visible and obvious what it is so the Alzheimer's patient can see and recognize it. When they ask for impossible things like going back to their childhood home or speaking to their dead mother, do not tell them that's impossible but rather ask them to describe their mother/home. Basically, divert them into talking about whatever it is they want instead. Make the old doorknob defunct and install a new, higher one so they can't open the doors and walk out. Feed them finger foods like a child because they can't use utensils. Making sure they change their underwear and drink water and reassure them there's no boogey man under the bed (or in my grandmother's case, outside in the car or barn). It's basically like caring for a small child and everything I hate about that process.
No comments:
Post a Comment