IN our world, most likely, you know someone or at least heard about someone who has Alzheimer's. According to the latest statistics by Saudi Alzheimer's Disease Association, there are around 26 million people around the world diagnosed with this disease, which includes one million Saudis and the numbers are on the rise. Although Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases, they are not the same. Dementia is a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills that occurs to some people as they get older, while Alzheimer's is a fatal disorder that results in the loss of brain cells and function where symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time becoming severe to the point of disabling the patient from performing simple daily tasks. Because of its slow progression, patients could live up to 20 years from the time of their diagnosis depending on the age they were diagnosed at and their general health. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's currently has no cure yet, but treatments for symptoms are available and the research continues worldwide. Usually when people have a disease, it is advised not to label them with it because they are much more than that. However, in the case of Alzheimer's, there is not much left after the disease takes over and eventually the patient's personality fades gradually to the point of getting lost to it. It is very important for their caregivers and people surrounding them to understand this point because most of the time patients become really difficult to deal with and regardless of how loud they might shout, keep in mind that it is Alzheimer's talking; not your loved one. As Alzheimer's progresses and symptoms get worse, it becomes necessary for patients to live with a caregiver or in a nursing home when there is no one to take care of them. In Saudi Arabia and many parts of the world, their children or members of their extended family would be most of the time their primary caretakers. Taking care of an Alzheimer's patient is a life changing experience to all of those who are involved not only the patient, especially because the caregivers usually have other responsibilities, which might include work and taking care of children of their own. Realizing and embracing the fact that in addition to the responsibilities they already have that they have become caregivers to their loved one will better prepare them physically and mentally to fulfill this role. Sharing the responsibility with other members of the family including their own children, which could be by something as simple as reading to the patient would help everyone to better adjust and ease the stress even if minutely from the main caregiver. Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's is not the same as taking care of a parent, for example, who is just getting older. As a caregiver, the first step is to work closely with the neurologist who is treating your parent as well as a geriatrician, who is a medical doctor, specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease and disability in older adults. This would help increase your knowledge about the disease and how to deal with it to keep your loved one as healthy and stable as possible — physically and emotionally. Reading books and going online to find information, tips and preventative measures would also help the caregiver in this journey. There are also associations worldwide and in Saudi Arabia that support Alzheimer's patients as well as their caregivers, which offer educational programs, workshops, as well as a helpline and an established community of members and healthcare providers. Saudi Alzheimer's Disease Association in Riyadh, Alzheimer's Society in Makkah Region, and The Saudi Charitable Association for Alzheimer's Disease are entities that have been making great efforts especially in the past few years to increase awareness about Alzheimer's including arranging an annual international conference on Alzheimer's in Riyadh since 2012. A great event that occurred last year was the flying of 10,000 purple balloons in Corniche, Jeddah, on Sept. 21, which is Alzheimer's Day and purple being the color of support for Alzheimer's patients. They were distributed by The Society of Majid Bin Abdulaziz for Development and Social Services and the Saudi Alzheimer's Disease Association to increase awareness about the disease. Taking care of an Alzheimer's patient is a privilege especially if it happens to be a parent because it would give caregivers a chance to attempt to serve and care for their parents as they have lovingly cared for them for all of their lives. However, it is not easy because of the physical and psychological demands it requires. If you are a caregiver, keep in mind that you are not alone! Get involved with the available associations and reach out to those who are going through the same situation to create a support group. Take care of your physical and mental health and on Sept. 21, go out with your family and fly a purple balloon to increase awareness about this disease and show Alzheimer's patients and other caregivers that they are not alone either. — The writer can be reached at [email protected]
