My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago. My grandmother and my great grandmother both had Alzheimer’s. According to current literature, that makes me three times more likely to become a victim of Alzheimer’s.
It’s painful to watch my dad struggle for words, to be frustrated and angry at his increasing lack of independence and control. At this point he still knows me but he doesn’t always know if he’s in his home or mine.
Is there anything I can do about this situation?
As a daughter but not a primary care-giver, I can support and encourage my mother and my sister in their roles by calling often and telling them how much I appreciate the care and attention they give my dad. I remind them to take care of themselves, offering suggestions that might not occur to them at close range. I call my dad, engaging him in simple conversation. As a daughter, I can also practice what I preach because as a PCN nurse I encourage all my clients to pursue a healthy lifestyle.
The Canadian Alzheimer Society website states that studies of identical twins (who share the same genes) have found about 60% of the overall risk for Alzheimer's disease comes from lifestyle and not from genes. Living a healthy lifestyle may help reduce one's overall risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
A healthy lifestyle includes healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, taking part in regular physical activity (which can be quite modest), maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol and participating in activities that involve socializing and stimulating brain activity.
Gratitude and forgiveness are also essential ingredients to living a healthy lifestyle. Implementing both in our daily lives enables us to live fully in the moment without regrets and bitterness clogging our minds and our bodies.
There are many resources available to become educated about Alzheimer’s, including the family physician, the PCN nurse and the internet. “Still Alice,” a riveting and insightful novel by Lisa Genova, is another resource, which depicts the journey into Alzheimer’s from the point of view of the person stricken with the disease.
While none of us can predict our path, it could be that, “The secret for health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” (Buddha)
Melinda Bensler, RN