| No one ever chooses Alzheimer's disease. Given a | | | | been loved. Remind people that they are still capable |
| choice of Alzheimer's or cancer, many people would | | | | of loving even with Alzheimer's. Naturally, they still |
| choose cancer. Why? Cancer victims are usually | | | | need love, too. |
| allowed to maintain their dignity. They are still given | | | | Be patient with them. Their unpredictable |
| respect. Their fight is seen as brave and valiant. | | | | behavior will not always be pleasant. Try not to take |
| People who struggle with mental illnesses are not | | | | it personally when they become difficult. Remember |
| always given the same respect. This seems especially | | | | they have a disease and cannot be held accountable |
| true for those who have been victimized by | | | | for their actions. This isn't always easy, but is an |
| Alzheimer's. They lose everything, including their | | | | absolute necessity for all Alzheimer's caregivers. |
| dignity. They are seen as "crazy people" and often | | | | Keep the person's appearance neat and clean. |
| become the subject of distasteful jokes. People who | | | | Issues like incontinence and refusing to bathe will |
| are not familiar with Alzheimer's disease don't | | | | complicate this, but we see this as a dignity issue, |
| understand their struggles and many will try to avoid | | | | too. My aunt always loved dressing nicely. Since we |
| those who are sick with this disease. Alzheimer's | | | | became responsible for her care, we've worked to |
| caregivers have the task of restoring dignity and | | | | maintain her previous appearance as closely as |
| respect to the unfortunate victims of Alzheimer's. | | | | possible. Even with Alzheimer's, she is still concerned |
| Here are some tips to help caregivers accomplish this | | | | that her clothes match and that she feels confident |
| goal: | | | | about how she looks. This includes keeping her hair |
| Never discuss Alzheimer's disease or the fact | | | | combed and make-up done nicely. |
| that the person has Alzheimer's in front of them. No | | | | Maintain as much "normalcy" as possible in the |
| one knows how much the sick person understands. | | | | person's daily life. Include activities that they enjoy |
| Suppose they understand the conversation but are | | | | and social interaction whenever possible. Make |
| unable to organize their thoughts or vocalize them at | | | | necessary adaptations to accomplish this. Try to |
| the time. Discussing their condition in front of the | | | | focus on seeing the person as "living with Alzheimer's" |
| person seems heartless, and yet it happens all the | | | | instead of "dying with a terminal illness." One little |
| time. If you experience this happening in a care | | | | woman with Alzheimer's told me once, "I'm going to |
| facility, express your feelings and ask that the staff | | | | live until I die." Allow the one in your life who |
| refrain from doing this in front of your loved one. | | | | struggles with Alzheimer's to do the same. |
| When this happened to my aunt, she was upset by | | | | Take any opportunity to educate people about |
| the conversation. There's no excuse for inflicting any | | | | Alzheimer's disease and how it impacts its victims. |
| more pain on those who have already lost so much | | | | Perhaps a better understanding of this disease will |
| to their disease. A considerate caregiver will be | | | | help people become more comfortable around those |
| careful to avoid such situations. | | | | who suffer with it. |
| Make it a priority to familiarize others around | | | | The demands are enormous on those responsible for |
| your loved one with who they were before the | | | | Alzheimer's care. One of the most loving and kind |
| onset of their disease. Help other people appreciate | | | | contributions an Alzheimer's caregiver can make is to |
| their accomplishments and interests. Teach others to | | | | give dignity to the one who is sick. |
| see them as someone of value who has loved and | | | | |