TITLE: WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY – DEMENTIA
At The Humanitarian Foundation, we also care for the elderly people around us, in order to fulfil our call to serve humanity as our slogan says; “Service to Humanity… Service to God!”
Today, we are treating a topic that affects everybody on the face of the earth. You as a young person who may at the same time have no old man or woman to take care of may wonder how the issue that affects the elderly concerns you.
We want you to remember that as at this time last summer, you were not at this age and many things might have changed in your body, lifestyle, character and most especially, your way of reasoning. So, one day you too must become very old and would need someone to take care of you if God Almighty grants you the grace to live till then. All the stress you are passing through at this young age must surely tell on you at the later days of your life.
A little word of advice from my end is that you should be very careful how you live (manage) your dear life for your old age will definitely give account of your youthful lifestyle. The adage is true; “You die the way you live!”
We decided to talk about World Alzheimer’s Day (every 21st Sept), to help bring awareness for this common, but much ignored Good for Humanity and get you prepared on how to care for the elderly ones and also celebrate them come next season of celebration.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia. Dementia is a wider term for conditions caused by brain injuries or diseases that negatively affect memory, thinking and behavior, especially, when one becomes old.
These changes interfere with our day to day life. The disease is caused when some of the brain cells die and the brain starts functioning slowly.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Most people suffering with the disease are diagnosed after age 65. If it’s diagnosed before then, it’s generally referred to as early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease. Below is a list of some simple things to keep in mind while caring with Alzheimer patients:
- Try keeping things simple. Always ask or say one thing at a time. Also, avoid speaking ambiguous or vague sentences.
- Have a fixed daily routine, so that the person would know when certain things will happen.
- Reassure the person time and again that he or she is safe and someone or the other person is always there to help.
- Make sure you keep your promises as much as you can as this would increase their hope of seeing a better day and sense of belonging.
- Try paying more attention to his or her feelings rather than words. For instance, say, “You seem worried,” instead of saying, “you worry a lot”. Here, you need to learn how to speak eloquently and patiently.
- Do not argue with the same (Alzheimer patients) or try to prove him wrong. In every debate, let him or her be the winner. Only for the same (Alzheimer patients) to return after some moment to concur with you. And do not be surprised that some may even go to the extent of giving apology which is a sign of your competence in caring for Alzheimer patients.
- Keep yourself calm and try not to show your frustration or anger. If you get upset or angry, take deep breaths and count to ten. You can also leave the room for a few minutes.
- Use humor whenever you can. Keep the atmosphere light in the house.
- Try taking them out for walks. Provide comfortable, and sturdy shoes to them. Give them light snacks to eat as they walk, so they do not lose too much weight, and make sure they have enough to drink. Ensure that most of their drinks is more of fountain water and less-sugary. There are a lot of health benefits in drinking fountain or rocky water. We shall discuss the benefits of drinking fountain water in one of our preceding articles.
- Find out ways to distract them from (abnormal) thinking by music, singing, or dancing. You can achieve this by making available some of their hobbies and any comic story from the profession they love most or were actively involved while young.
- Always ask for help for small work. For example, say, “Let’s set the table” or “I need help in folding the clothes”. This will both make them feel relevant and busy. This kind of busy-ness will keep them from thinking astray and healthy.
Thank you for caring for the elderly as this will also go a long way to represent The Humanitarian Foundation’s good image.
Service to Humanity is a weekly publication to encourage Humanitarian Activities across the globe by The Humanitarian Foundation Press Department. Make financial and non-financial donations and other support through our online (banking) platform and/or physical address. Igweike Raphael Otum (Founder and President, Councilor, Author, Businessman, Accountant, Evangelist and a Humanitarian) is the author of this wonderful publication, Service to Humanity.
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