It starts with simple forgetfulness. “Where are my keys?” and “What day is it?” were questions that Betty began to ask when she reached her golden years. She was soon forgetting how to get to the grocery store and couldn’t remember the names of her children. Before long, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and it was quickly advancing. For months, Betty’s family struggled with the tantrums she would throw when someone urged her to attempt to remember something. Betty knew she was incapable of retrieving her memories, and felt worse and worse every time she failed to remember something. Over time, her family members learned to adapt to what Betty remembered (or thought she remembered). In her last few years, Betty was able to be happy
…show more content…
Joanna Coste, author of Learning to Speak Alzheimer's:A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease, reformed patient care within the world of Alzheimer’s. The five tenets that she developed have influenced a new way of treating Alzheimer’s patients. These tenets consist of the following: make the physical environment work, know that communication remains possible, focus only on remaining skills, live in the patient’s world, and enrich the patient’s life. Coste developed these tenets while caring for her husband suffering from the disease. This is just one of many strategies that have formed in recent years, but they all have the same goal; to ensure that a loved one with Alzheimer’s is happy and knows they are loved. Providing the appropriate care will improve quality of life, even if it means lying to your loved one to make them happier. In his poem “Do Not Ask Me to Remember,” Darnell writes “I’m confused beyond your concept, I am sad and sick and lost. All I know is that I need you to be with me at all cost.” This excerpt proves that people suffering from Alzheimer’s want to live out their life with loved ones (even if they can’t remember who is with them). Although caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is emotionally taxing on the caregiver, it ensures the happiness of the patient and helps them live out their days in peace. By encouraging caregivers to “live in the patient’s world,” Coste has single-handedly altered the way of caregiving at hospitals and care centers all over the
Joanna Coste, author of Learning to Speak Alzheimer's:A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease, reformed patient care within the world of Alzheimer’s. The five tenets that she developed have influenced a new way of treating Alzheimer’s patients. These tenets consist of the following: make the physical environment work, know that communication remains possible, focus only on remaining skills, live in the patient’s world, and enrich the patient’s life. Coste developed these tenets while caring for her husband suffering from the disease. This is just one of many strategies that have formed in recent years, but they all have the same goal; to ensure that a loved one with Alzheimer’s is happy and knows they are loved. Providing the appropriate care will improve quality of life, even if it means lying to your loved one to make them happier. In his poem “Do Not Ask Me to Remember,” Darnell writes “I’m confused beyond your concept, I am sad and sick and lost. All I know is that I need you to be with me at all cost.” This excerpt proves that people suffering from Alzheimer’s want to live out their life with loved ones (even if they can’t remember who is with them). Although caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is emotionally taxing on the caregiver, it ensures the happiness of the patient and helps them live out their days in peace. By encouraging caregivers to “live in the patient’s world,” Coste has single-handedly altered the way of caregiving at hospitals and care centers all over the