JOAN’S BLOG – TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013 – ALZHEIMER IGNORANCE TO THE MAX!

This afternoon, I am going to be interviewed by a reporter for  Every Day Health (http://www.everydayhealth.com/). The purpose of the interview is to find out “how Alzheimer’s affects caregivers and families—the emotional and financial toll, and what advice you might give to families dealing with a recent diagnosis”.……………………..It is my opportunity to discuss the type of support needed by Alzheimer caregivers, spousal caregivers in particular. I will let you know how it goes.

In the meantime, I am posting a little TRUE story written by an Alzheimer Spouse friend of mine, detailing her experience in the land of  “ The General Public is Ignorant About Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Written by “Muffy”:

In the middle of last week I was rolling down Highway 1 on an errand. After the errand, I was rolling back north, when I spied with my little eye, Barnes & Noble. I usually do not shop here but I knew I had a gift card I still had not used.

A friend had mentioned a book I would possibly be interested in following up on so I turned in to the parking lot and walked into the air conditioned splendor from a day that was crawling above 80 degrees. (I know; I had had a phone call that morning from a best friend in Milwaukee who described her weather and I felt a little guilty - not much, but a little.)

I waited at the customer service counter with several others. I got a clerk, mid thirties or older, and asked for the section on Alzheimer's Disease. After a nano second pause, his face lit up and said, 'Follow me, Mam.' I was still thinking, Do NOT call me MAM.
 
We turned into the life style aisle, thinking we were on our way to neurology or at the very least something medical. We stopped however as he pointed to about three shelves with several selections I have read and several others I am familiar with. But what else I saw shocked me. These references were in the DIET SECTION. You heard right, Alzheimer's references in the Di-et Sec-tion.

I turned to Mr. Clerk and asked why? He replied,  " Well, I guess if you eat the right diet you can be cured of Alzheimer's." Luckily, I had items in both of my hands, which prevented me from reaching for his throat. What a slap in the face to anyone who has or is in involved with this horrid disease. I was still thinking of choking the clerk for the insensitivity this reflected.

A few mintues later, after asking for and speaking with the manager, I was told that he was only doing what corporate dictated, i.e. – placing Alzheimer books in the “Diet Section”. He was not interested in listening to anything I had wanted to suggest. "Bite Me" was almost out my mouth, but I held on and walked away.

My philosophy has evolved into speaking with anyone who is interested in finding out about Alzheimer's and help them find what information they need. I was in the wrong place. Very wrong.

Instead, I went to the writing section and now have the book I need for some help and guidance on writing my memoirs as an Alzheimer's caregiver. No on else has my story to share.

I left Barnes & Noble depressed.

Everyone who is an Alzheimer caregiver has a story to share. So many similarities in what Alzheimer’s Disease does to our spouses, our marriage, our emotional state, and so many differences in that Alzheimer’s Disease affects each patient in a unique manner. As to why the Barnes and Noble clerk, or anyone, should care about Alzheimer’s Disease, please read these previous blogs:

Making Purple the New Pink

What Do You Want the World to Know?

MESSAGE BOARDS: Joan's Blog - Ignorance to the Max

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The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
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