04/24/2022
“When someone is showing signs of dementia,
it’s time to talk.”
~Alzheimer’s Association.
It is a challenge to understand and diagnose mild cognitive changes. Symptoms can be very subtle, occurring occasionally, affecting memory, thinking, behavior and mood.
In 2004, I noticed some memory changes in my mom. Thinking back, she probably had changes that we didn’t pick up on a couple years before that. I wanted to talk to her about it, did not even consider or think about using a resource, asking for help in how to bring up my concerns with my mom. My main goal was to tell her I that I loved her and encourage her to check in with her doctor, possibly having some tests done. Early detection is the key in treating any disease.
Talking to my mom did not go so well. Alzheimer’s Disease had already caused enough changes in her. She did not want to talk about it or hear my concerns. There are a handful of times that our journey was extra hard, more painful…this was one of them. I felt scared, frustrated, I didn’t know anything about Alzheimer’s Disease other than the fact it affects your memory and Ronald Reagan had it. I started to learn quickly that Alzheimer’s Disease plays tricks on, not only the patient but everyone involved, early on.
The Alzheimer’s Association was formed in 1980 and is “the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research”. Every state, within the United States, has its own chapter. In each chapter, they provide valuable information. Since the pandemic started, nearly everything is available on line or virtually. Conferences, volunteer opportunities, research trials, educational topics, support groups, advocacy, activities, signs and symptoms, awareness and so much more. “How to talk to your person when you first start noticing symptoms” is an example of an educational program.�
Alzheimer’s Disease has not been openly talked about. After my mom was eventually diagnosed, she and my dad were adamant about not telling anyone. “Dementia is a condition of the brain.” Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia. Our brain controls everything we do, say and think. I have a “condition of the heart”, it beats too slow on its own. Fortunately there is a treatment, a pacemaker. I had my first pacemaker put in back in 2006. I can talk about this easily, a “condition of the brain” should not be any different. We need to talk about Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
I try not to be hard on myself about the things I might have done differently. For those of you that know someone experiencing symptoms or those of you with mild cognitive symptoms…check out the Alzheimer’s Association website, it is an excellent resource providing valuable information on taking positive steps forward. I’ve included a link below on “Time to talk.”
Thanks so much for your continued support. For my mom and so many other reasons, I cannot give up hope that someday…together, we will find a cure.
It is supposed to be spring, mother nature is playing tricks on us!
Plant some purple flowers (after the snow melts), get your purple on and “jump” in with Team Joy in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.
http://act.alz.org/goto/formymomTeamJoy2022TLD
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-and-dementia/timetotalk
