Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Wandering Minds and Feet of the Alzheimer's Patient

Wandering becomes a critical part of Alzheimer's and something families find difficult to cope with. 

The Alzheimer's victim's mind wanders off the topic at hand and reverts to the past or something they see or someone in the room does.  This isn't necessarily dangerous, simply very frustrating.

However, wandering feet can endanger the Alzheimer's patient.  They apparently have in their mind a destination but it isn't a practical one.  They may leave the house (or wherever they are) in all kinds of weather and in inappropriate dress.  You may find them (hopefully you or someone you know does) on a city street, in your neighborhood, in the woods, along a country road or on a busy highway.

Keeping Alzheimer's patients where you know their whereabouts becomes a serious challenge at some point in their care.

Mark Warner has some good ideas on this topic to help the caregiver, as well as the wanderer, in In Search of the Alzheimer's Wanderer: A Workbook to Protect You.

I was involved in the care of both my mom and my aunt (Mother's sister) who developed Alzheimer's and who reached the wandering stage.  They would try to (and occasionally did) leave the house in all kinds of weather when they made up their minds about reaching a particular destination.  They could not understand why you wouldn't let them.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Friends Sharing About Alzheimer's

Yesterday a friend asked me how I coped with caring for my mom who had Alzheimer's.  Her mom now is living in a nursing home and seeming to be battling the same disease.

  • You cope by taking one day at a time with that person. 
  • You cope by learning all you can about the disease to better understand.
  • You cope by planning ahead...yes, you must consider that they won't get better, but will fall further into their Alzheimer's world.
  • You give them pleasure by being whomever they wish for the day.
  • You look at this as an adventure.
You find someone who has been there, with whom you can talk and share.

Monday, September 06, 2010

Alzheimer's Resource - Minding Our Elders

A very good resource for Alzheimer's caregivers, to enable them to understand their family member or patient, is Carol Bradley Bursack's web site, Minding Our Elders. As Carol describes it...Breaking the Isolation: Information and Support for Caregivers and Seniors.

Carol discusses many topics on a daily basis and offers many resources. 

She also is the author of the book Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.

Do you have a favoriet Alzheimer's resource that has helped you cope and to understand this disease?