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Archive for the Alzheimer's Disease category
Okay, this is my last post on the whole dementia, Alzheimer’s and sex subject. But this subject really has me thinking about the rights of people with dementia.
Is a 14 or 15 year old any more able to give consent than a person with dementia?
Okay, so let’s finish this conversation.
Like I said the other day, if you want to see anyone on the caregiving spectrum from a teenager to an adult child blush-talk about their loved one’s sex life.
I mean, I am grown, have children of my own and have literally written the book on teen sexuality (Straight Talk, How Teens Make Wise decisions About Love and Sex, Review and Herald, 2000). Yet, I just can’t imagine my mom and dad uh…..er…..um….. well, you know…having (whisper) sex. And furthermore, I really wouldn’t want to have to make decisions about their sex lives, especially when they were in their golden years and one of them had already died - because that would mean that one of my parents was having sex with someone other than my other parent.
If you want to make a teenager or young adult blush, mention their parents having sex.
Let’s face it, there aren’t very many “children” be they teens, young adults, baby boomers or elderly who want to talk about their parents (aunts, uncles, grandparents) um….er……uh sex life.
Now, toss in dementia affecting one or both of the parties, and now you’ve really got something to talk about or not talk about.
I am interrupting my series of posts on organization to share this important information from the Alzheimer’s Association. My hope is that it will help to put things into perspective as you battle the (now growing) monster, Alzheimer’s disease.
Dear Loretta,
Yesterday, I talked about the connection between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Today, I ran across a very interesting article and the conclusion seems to be that good nutrition and exercise for your mind and body are the best “prevention” for Alzheimer’s disease.
But here is my struggle. There are basically two types of people who read this blog. People who have Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia and their caregivers.
Initially, it was chalked up to age. It was almost expected that a person with Alzheimer’s disease also suffered from diabetes or some other illness. The thought was that the person was aging and the other disorders were a function of an aging body and not necessarily related per se to Alzheimer’s disease.
Then the researchers started to consider the fact that people with Alzheimer’s disease were often battling other health issues such as: heart disease, stroke and especially diabetes.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live with Alzheimer’s disease? I have. I used to look at my mother and wonder what she was thinking and how she was really doing.
Today, we have a glimpse into the life of someone who is living with dementia. I “met” Mary over at Alztalk.org, her story is below.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with early onset Alzheimer’s. I’m 63. I was started immediately on Aricept, and two months later on Ebixa (called namenda in the States). Research is showing that starting both drugs early on is having better results.
This post discusses the merits of telling (or not telling) the affected person that he or she has Alzheimer’s disease.
Once Alzheimer’s disease is officially diagnosed, the primary caregiver and close family members have a decision to make.
Do you tell the affected person or not? There are valid arguments on both sides. Let’s explore some of them.
Caregivers need to be cared for too. Here’s a list of the BEST things people did to support me as a caregiver:
When Alzheimer’s disease is first diagnosed (and before) it is important for the one who is affected with the disease and the caregiver to do a few things. You can see my posts entitled, I have Alzheimer’s What Now? And Diagnosis Alzheimer’s disease, What’s a Caregiver to do? For complete information on immediate steps to take once the diagnosis has been confirmed. However, there is one very important thing that I want to stress today, keeping the brain active and engaged. Don’t just throw in the proverbial towel and say, “Grandpa has Alzheimer’s disease, it’s all over now.” It is vital that you as a caregiver do all that you can to do ensure that grandpa works his brain as much as is possible and practical.
It is very important to select age and stage appropriate activities. You don’t want to make your loved one more frustrated. Rather, you want to provide an environment where your loved one is having fun, “winning” and exercising the brain all at the same time.
This blog focuses on Alzheimer’s Disease .. for caregivers, loved ones, and patients .. and includes treatments, medications, healthy eating, legal issue, rage, incontinence, wandering, daily issues, independent living facilities, long distance care giving, long-term care facilities, inspiration, independence, and most of all .. with honor and dignity.... More ..
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