Personal Narrative: My Internship With Alzheimer's

The goals the National Social Advocacy Association for Alzheimer’s Patients is to collaborate with long term healthcare facilities in establishing an innovative, comprehensive social advocacy, intervention, and advance treatment programs in healthcare facilities serving or providing Alzheimer’s patients. One that will help stimulate the “Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous Systems sensory” nerves which will increase the cognitive and mobility functions in Alzheimer’s Patients Marieb, (2006). In addtiont to reducing caregiver’s burnouts, eliminate Alzheimer’s patients injuries due to neglect, increase caregiver’s social awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and its risks facts,

I did my undergraduate internship with the Alzheimer’s Association, along with caring for my husband’s grandmother who was diagnosed with Stage II Alzheimer’s. First, Alzheimer’s gradually steals the individual’s memories, making it very difficult for the family and caregivers. Many patients with Alzheimer’s have a change in personality as the disease progresses. Once a happy go lucky father, can often become an angry, violent father. I participated/hosted several caregiver support groups and the caregivers

Alzheimer’s Association support groups are designed to create a safe, confidential and supportive environment. They are a wonderful opportunity for caregivers to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. Through emotional, educational and social support, caregivers create friendships, bonds and memories that make the journey of Alzheimer’s disease less difficult and less stressful. It is a wonderful way to connect with

As Brooker (2007, pp. 24-26) discusses the benefits of supportive models that recognise the struggles of a person living with dementia and how it can impact their social standing and therefore relationships. In addition how the world of a person with cognitive impairment needs emotional and spiritual support, as well as sensory and creative support, to be encouraged and empowered to remain positively functioning and enjoying their relationships and their environments.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can be a complex task. It can be frustrating, confusing, emotionally draining and physically exhausting, the local Alzheimer Society is a great aid for a range of accessible services and resources for those experiencing different stages of Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, as well as, support to caregivers and other health professionals.

The Relational-Centered Intervention according to Morhardt & Spira (2013) focuses on the constructed relationships established between Mr. B’s and his family and friends. By using the relational-centered intervention the focus on the dynamic and the many dimensions of Mr. B’s relationships from the onset and throughout the course of his cognitive decline and illnesses and can encourage and foster reciprocity and caring especially between Mr. B and his children such as Judy who is trying to become his primary caregiver (Morhardt & Spira, 2013). Judy would be advised to take a collaborative approach with her father in the domains of healthcare and financial management. According to Morhardt & Spira (2013) communication that occurs at the early onset of the illness such as dementia will help establish their relational dynamics, reduce anxiety by allowing Mr. B to feel he is part of his own decision making and create secure directions that encompass Mr. B’s values and

Alzheimer’s disease slowly steals a person’s dignity and erases precious memories. The “Alzheimer’s Disease Guide”, found on WebMD explains that tasks become more difficult to do often leading to confusion and behavior changes. The article further explains the progression of the disease also brings hardship to family and friends (1). To best cope with Alzheimer’s we must better understand the disease.

This program evaluation examines the effectiveness of maintaining the emotional, intellectual, and social functioning of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and the assistance in which caregivers receive through support groups as provided by Respite and Research for Alzheimer’s disease agency located in San Jose, California, serving the elderly in the adult day program. Respite and Research for Alzheimer’s Disease is a nonprofit corporation that was established in 1984. The Alzheimer’s Activity Center was established in San Jose’s Willow Glen area in 1986 ("Respite and Research for

Throughout this semester in our family and aging course we have talked about caring for elderly adults. Alzheimer’s has become one of our focused topics. Over time we have discussed: spousal caregiving, the grief process, and we’ve talked about caring for adult children with mental illness. In the book the author’s mother has Alzheimer’s, and she decided that her taking care of her mother was a bit much, so she took her to a nursing home. The author still hasn’t come to terms with her mother’s death, and the way she handled her time being has a different way of dealing with her grief.

Struggling on their own, refusing to give up, and ultimately, admitting to their defeat by the Alzheimer’s disease is the pattern that was presented in Iris (Rudin& Fox, 2001) and Away from Her (Iron, Urdl & Weiss, 2007). Grant and John did everything they could to keep their spouse in their own home under their own watch. Little did they know, taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s disease required a lot of strength and knowledge. They refused to let go of their spouse knowing that it was going to be a losing battle. Eventually, the stress overwhelmed them and took their spouse to a nursing home. Had there been a community that supported them and guided them, the transition for them and their loved ones with Alzheimer’s would have been much

The negative reaction or behaviors of dementia patients ranges from mood swings, eating and sleeping disturbance, tumult, hostility, stray, verbal abuse, hyped behavior, loss of sexual control and feelings for others, (Finkel, Costa, & Silva, 1996). 61 percent of people faced with this disease is projected to die at age eighty which is 2x higher than individuals without Alzheimer's disease. It is impossible for a physician to diagnose dementia if a person’s cognitive abilities are not carefully examined. New reports from researches states that social support groups may and could promote cognition among people that either have developed dementia and those that are at the early stages of dementia. According to Crooks et al, studies were conducted

The study was conducted using seventy-seven older individuals, aged 54 to 90 with 12 black and 65 white that were living with their spouses. The individuals that participated in the study were from Baton Rouge through referrals from organizations in the community of churches, health care agencies, and councils on aging. To compare the differences the researchers used 27 caregivers (14 males and 13 females) of Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer (SDAT) patients, physically impaired, and non-caregivers; 17 caregivers (4 males and 13 females) of physically impaired patients; and 33 non caregivers (10 males and

Caregiver support groups play a valuable role in assisting individuals with coping with a loved one’s disease, injury and/or disorder. In this paper, I will discuss the support group, topics discussed and my personal feelings about the support group.

It is necessary for caregivers to put their own needs first, before they take on the responsibility of looking after a loved one affected by dementia. Offering a long term support group, that also incorporates education into it, for informal caregivers tending to older adults affected by dementia, can be extremely helpful for those who are wanting to strive through this time in their life. The goal of this group is to help participants gain a better understanding on how to handle stress, get them to recognize and encounter their own needs, and decrease their isolation, by building up a healthier support system.

Alzheimer’s is a tragic disease that affects millions of people every year. It cruelly robs the mind of its ability to function in an ever declining spiral until the most basic functions can’t be achieved. Within my family, my grandmother, numerous great-aunts and a great-uncle have all suffered the ravages of the illness. In dealing with the decline of loved ones, it has also directly impacted the many family members close to the victims.