MEMORY LOSS AND THE PROBLEMS FOR CARERS

Memory loss is not automatic as we get older, but it is very common.If alzheimers disease is heralded by dementia then it is important for the family carers to acquire as much knowledge as they can about looking after alzheimer sufferers. If possible it is best that dementia and alzheimer patients can continue to live at home. Patients are more comfortable in familiar surroundings and when put into a care home often ask repeatedly when they can come home. This shows of course that most alzheimer patients are still aware of themselves and familiar people on an intermittent basis. However, it is sometimes impossible to continue keeping the patient at home, but the the family should visit as often as possible. Many families become discouraged because the patient doesn't always recognize them, but they should be aware that despite the appearance of non recognition, very often the patient is more aware than is apparent. This is why carers at home as well as in care homes need to be aware that if they are treated disrespectfully patients often know and much of the troubled behaviour of alzheimer patients is caused by this.One of the biggest problems that carers have to deal with is repeated questions. This can be very irritating and stressful. The cause of repeated questions is because of short term memory loss. Imagine what it must be like to have only intermittent memories of who you are. Imagine not knowing what day it is. What month; what season. Wouldn't you be frightened if your carer was impatient with you. Might you not resent it and even act aggressively? Love is of course very important and alzheimer patients like anyone else can interpret body language.So it important to be aware that tone of voice is also important and do everything possible to re-assure. If the carer at home is not the spouse and a carer is brought in, it is best if possible that the carer is the same sex as the patient. Looking after dementia and alzheimer sufferers is very demanding, but try to avoid leaving them for long periods in front of the television. It has been found that behaviour is often influenced by what they see.Music on the other hand is immensely beneficial. So are pleasant and comfortable surroundings. If there is a garden spend time with the patient there. Pick flowers for the house, smell can often stimulate. My own dementia is under control with no deterioration in memory. I think that the Trimega { Omega 3] is helping and I continue to work on my book and read whenever possible. The weather here in Paarl is a bit cooler and we even have a little much welcome rain. Boysie will be disappointed that I will not be swimming with him today. The birds are fine. Our only problem is spiders. In the UK where I come from we do not as far as I know have any poisonous spiders. Here however there are many and I am told that the small ones are the most lethal! We have a lot of spiders who live in the trees. Last night we sat on our front stoep. It was dark and we switched on our light and immediately we saw six different spiders hanging by long threads. They had come out in the dark and the light alarmed them and the speed with which they climbed their 'spider ropes' was astounding. It was a bit like one of those action movies where the SAS or whatever descend at great speed down tall buildings! Keep taking the tablets. David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa.