When we first moved into the area where we live, we joined a local church. Among the many special people we met there were an older couple I’ll call George and Eliza. It was always fun to sit with these folks, who had been married right after the war in 1945. George would tell stories about his time in the navy, and later stories of his time working at NASA – imagine my shock at realizing who he meant during a conversation about the Apollo program when he referred to a conversation with Neil and Buzz. Those conversations stopped a couple of years ago, not long after the doctors diagnosed George as having Alzheimer's disease. Now his ability to keep his train of thought long enough to tell such a story is gone. That is a part of the Dementia that comes from the brain damage associated with Alzheimer's, damage caused by the irreversible destruction of brain cells. I miss my old friend very much.

I'm amazed to watch Eliza deal with the daily struggle that is a part of their life today. Gone is the man she has loved for over six decades, replaced with a sometime-stranger who has problems with his temper and his personal needs. I know that she suffers from this disease every bit as much as he does – perhaps more, because he does not always realize that here is anything wrong. And it is really grueling, for George needs constant care and supervision, only part of which is done by their visiting nurse and part-time housekeeper. And as much as she tries to understand that this is but one part of the disease, I am sure that the lapses of memory, anger, and stubbornness that are a part of the disease leave her discouraged. And yet she still cares for him, just as he nursed her through several serious illnesses in the years right before the onset of this disease.

But how do you learn to deal with such a disease? What resources are there for friends and loved ones of those suffering from Alzheimer's? Well, there is a DVD available called "A Time To Care". It is an informative video that presents answer and strategies to viewers in a motivational, easy-to-understand style. It is a four-part program that addresses the core issues related to care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Sadly, you may know someone who is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. If you do, this DVD may be a truly considerate and compassionate holiday gift for them. There are other items available at the same site.

Posted by: Greg at 02:33 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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