Mission (Not) Impossible: Living & Helping Our Seniors with Alzheimer’

As humans, we’ve all struggled remembering something, whether it was a topic on a test, how to perform a certain task, or perhaps even remembering where you placed your car keys or ID. We all know this is extremely frustrating, especially if we’re in a rush, but imagine having to deal with this issue every single day.

As we age, our memory becomes hindered and it’s harder to remember certain events or even people, which is why many seniors may need a caretaker. But how exactly do individuals successfully manage to assist a senior with Alzheimer’s?

For starters, it is important for us as a community to understand what Alzheimer’s actually is. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects regions of the brain that are responsible for our memory, thought, and language. The neurons (or the “mini brains”) inside our brains are responsible for carrying out simple tasks that we do every day, such as going on a walk, talking to our peers, or even just eating breakfast. In order for neurons to perform these functions however, they need to communicate with one another. In Alzheimer’s disease there is a toxic buildup of proteins both inside and outside of neurons. These are referred to as plaques and tangles and they interfere with the ability of neurons to effectively send messages. As the number of plaques and tangles begin to increase, the number of neurons of a patient with Alzheimer’s begins to decrease gradually (a process known as neurodegeneration), therefore leading to fewer “little brains” telling our body to keep carrying out these simple tasks. With fewer neurons and damaged connections in the brain, it becomes difficult for an individual with Alzheimer’s to remember certain events and their memory begins to fog, but that’s not all. As Alzheimer’s disease gradually worsens, a person’s ability to move, speak, or eat becomes weaker, and they eventually become immobile. The good news is that there are many ways we can help our seniors with Alzheimer’s, whether it’s your relative, friend, or someone you’re simply taking care of.

Here are some ways we can help our seniors who currently suffer with Alzheimer’s:

1. Be patient (it’ll help you and them stay calm)

2. Offer to help them with their needs

   i. Meal preparations
   ii. Managing Medication

   iii. Shopping, Appointments, Household Chores, etc

3. Engage in activities and stay in contact (it’ll keep them lucid and help them adjust)

4. Try not to use phrases to “help” them remember, such as “remember when...”

There are many ways for us to help our seniors with Alzheimer’s, but the most important one to me is to be patient and to offer them help with their needs. The other day, I viewed this TikTok of an elderly woman with dementia wanting to walk to Tennessee (they were states away). The woman’s daughter remained patient, offered to help her on her journey, and asked if she could tag along, rather than yelling at her or telling her what to do. The daughter brought up a great point, stating that elders with dementia are still adults and don’t like being told what to do, therefore patience is key when assisting someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

It’s not impossible to assist an individual with Alzheimer’s, there are certain things you can do to make it easier not only for you, but for them as well. Keep in mind that they’re humans who once were just like you, and in many ways still are.

References:

https://www.alz.org/blog/alz https://www.tiktok.com/@debrakostiw/video/7337519894868659499 https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm#:~:text=Alzheimer's%20disease%

https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/about/alzheimers.html

https://www.tiktok.com/@debrakostiw/video/7337519894868659499

Image by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Edited by Emma Hays