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Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a gradual loss of memory, increasing difficulty in performing routine tasks and feelings of
disorientation. Alzheimer’s disease may also cause loss of language skills, personality changes, impairment of judgment and inability to plan.
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 Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most
common causes of dementia (deterioration of intellectual and mental abilities), a medical condition that inhibits the way the brain works. The disease usually begins after age 65
and manifests itself slowly and subtly. At first there may be mild forgetfulness. Over time, the forgetfulness becomes more severe as the person has trouble remembering recent events, activities
or the names of familiar people or things. People with Alzheimer’s disease may forget how to do simple things like writing with a pen or pencil, brushing their teeth or taking a
shower. Later on, they may become anxious; show personality changes like aggressiveness or hostility; and they may begin to wander away from home. Over time,
these changes may become so severe that the patient cannot function or communicate. Eventually the individual dies, sometimes as the result of the disease, often from other
causes. The length of the disease can vary from 3 to 20 years.
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Through research, scientists continue to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, but at present the cause remains unknown.
This disease was first described in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer. He examined the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness and he found odd “clumps” (now called senile or neuritic plaques) and “tangled bundles” of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). These plaques and tangles are still considered hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have also found other changes in the brain, including a loss of nerve cells and lower levels of chemicals. These changes disrupt normal thinking and memory by blocking messages between nerve cells.
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While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, drugs are being used to alleviate some cognitive (thinking ability) symptoms.
Other medications may help control behavioral symptoms like agitation, anxiety, wandering and depression. People who have Alzheimer’s disease should see their doctor regularly to monitor the disease and to treat any other illnesses that may occur.
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Picture this scenario.
The wife of a 76 year-old man takes him to see the doctor because he has been acting strangely. One day, she found him in the garage mixing dirt and gasoline in a bowl. Later, she had to hide the matches because she found her husband with a box of matches attempting to “light” a lamp in the living room, believing it to be an old kerosene lamp. A few weeks later, a neighbor found him wandering on the railroad tracks. The doctor’s diagnosis was Alzheimer’s disease. This man’s wife is also 76 years old and doesn’t think that she can cope with his erratic behavior. The last straw for her came when she found him getting his toothbrush wet in the toilet so that he could brush his teeth. When she attempted to take the toothbrush away, he hit her and left a bruise on her arm.
The doctor suggests admitting her husband to a nursing home, but when the wife calls to tell their grown children about the plan,
absolute chaos ensues.
One of the daughters agrees with the need for nursing home placement, but the son and another daughter are adamantly opposed. Although they work full-time and are not available to help during the day, they don’t see why their mother isn’t “willing” to take care of her husband at home. After all, she doesn’t work, and what else does she have to do that could be more important? If he is having trouble bathing himself, these children believe a tub transfer bench and a hand-held shower will make it easy for their mother to help him. If he is wandering outside, special locks can be installed on the doors and their mother can hide the key. If she has trouble getting him to the doctor because he has become clumsy and falls frequently, a wheelchair can be purchased.
As the medical equipment provider, you have now become part of the battle.
One side believes that by providing equipment, you are helping to delay the inevitable and that you may not realize the difficulties faced by this elderly woman caring for her husband. The other side of the family believes that with your help, and the equipment that you can provide, their father can be easily cared for in his own home where he will be comfortable and happy. This is quite a dilemma and one that will require tremendous patience and understanding from everyone involved. There is no “right answer.” And, while equipment may help to minimize some of the physical stresses for both the husband and wife, it will do little to ease the frustration and devastation of Alzheimer’s disease.
Your role will be important in helping a family deal with crisis. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the patient fights to
overcome the mental impairments and great frustrations that are slowly stealing their independence and their life. Caregivers must struggle with feelings of guilt, resentment and fear. They also have
feelings of grief and loss as their loved one slips away a little at a time.
Whatever you are able to do by providing equipment and emotional support will go a long way toward helping a family through a very difficult time.
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