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JOAN’S BLOG – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 – IT’S NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS MONTH - HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?

Here we are again. Another year. Another National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Has anything changed since the 2010 Alzheimer’s Awareness Month? 2009? 2008? Actually, I believe it has. Based upon the number of news programs devoted to explaining the Alzheimer’s epidemic, the number of TV shows that are subtly including an Alzheimer sub plot in their episodes, and your efforts to educate and inform, I think the public is becoming more aware of the nature of Alzheimer’s Disease – particularly the fact that it is not a simple memory problem.

I applaud the new CBS show “Unforgettable” in its portrayal of the main character’s mother with Alzheimer’s Disease. She shifts back and forth in time – sometimes she thinks both of her daughters are still children; sometimes she remembers that one of them was killed; sometimes she is aware and living in the present; sometimes she remembers people and places; sometimes she doesn’t. For those who are unfamiliar with the disease, it presents an accurate perspective with which they may not have been aware.

However, I still believe there are a number of basic facts the public is not “getting” about the disease. I have added another fact to my list of DISPELLING THE MYTHS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE:

In recognizing the disease early, everyone looks for memory loss. However, not always, but often, personality change and irrational behavior precede memory loss. No one thinks of Alzheimer’s Disease when their loving, caring, reasonable, compromising, rational spouse suddenly becomes nasty, impulsive, self-centered, and irrational. I always tell spouses – if this happens, call a neurologist before calling a divorce lawyer. If my husband’s sudden uncharacteristic behavior had not been accompanied by memory loss, I never would have considered taking him to a neurologist.

So once again, I ask that you copy, print, and distribute DISPELLING THE MYTHS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE with these restrictions - You have my permission to quote information from this website and my blogs, BUT all of my writing, and any references to the Message Boards and this website MUST be credited to www.thealzheimerspouse.com under copyright laws.

DISPELLING THE MYTHS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Being aware of 5 simple facts about Alzheimer’s Disease can extend the quality of life for patients and caregivers. The Alzheimer Spouse website, www.thealzheimerspouse.com wants to raise awareness of the disease by dispelling the myths of Alzheimer’s Disease.  Physicians and the public need to know:

• Alzheimer’s Disease does NOT always start with memory loss. PERSONALITY CHANGE and IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR may be the first indication that something is wrong. When someone suddenly changes from rational, caring, loving, and reasonable, to impulsive, self centered, and irrational, it may be Alzheimer’s Disease. Consult a neurologist.

• Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT normal aging. If the doctor dismisses concerns, a neurologist who specializes in Memory Disorders can be found in any area of the country by logging onto www.thealzheimerspouse.com and clicking the “Finding a Memory Disorders Clinic in Your Area”.  

• Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT simple memory loss. It is a BRAIN DISEASE that destroys every part of the brain – behavior, personality, cognition, comprehension, physical abilities AND memory. It is 100% FATAL. There is NO CURE. There are NO SURVIVORS.

• Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THE ELDERLY. Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease affects men and women UNDER the age of 65, and many in their 40’s and 50’s. It is misdiagnosed as everything from depression, stress, early menopause in women to Attention Deficit Disorder.  If you think your loved one has possible dementia, regardless of age, contact a Memory Disorders Specialist for comprehensive testing.  

• Aricept and Namenda can help with the symptoms and stabilize the person with Alzheimer’s Disease, for up to 2 years, but they CANNOT CURE IT. THEY CANNOT STOP IT.

What I wrote in 2009 about why I think it is so important to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease still stands today:

"To get the caregiver the support services we need and the proper treatment and services for the person with the disease. There are over 3,000 discussion topics on the Alzheimer Spouse Message Boards, and many of them deal with the lack of understanding of the disease from family, friends, and ALL healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, EMT’s, and nursing home aides.

When healthcare professionals, particularly primary care doctors, are basically ignorant about the early symptoms, and brush them off as “normal aging” or in a younger patient, everything from depression to menopause, precious time is lost in getting proper treatment. I have attended countless conferences in which the overriding theme is that it is CRUCIAL to educate primary care doctors and other health professionals about Alzheimer’s Disease. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better chance the patient will have increased “quality years” of life with medication, meaningful activities and travel, an ability to be included in “advance directive” planning, and socialization. In my husband’s case, 2 years were lost because of misdiagnosis and incorrect medication. It was 2 years of stress, anxiety, confusion, and worsening symptoms that would not have occurred had we received the proper diagnosis.

When family members and friends do not understand the seriousness and complexity of the disease, the caregiver is left bearing the burden alone. It is mental, emotional, and physical torture, which often leads to the caregiver’s own health problems. We who are living with this disease understand that it is not just a “memory problem”. We know that it is a fatal, brain destruction disease, and we need help not only caring for our spouse with AD; we need help caring for ourselves. We need respite. We need help with the arduous physical tasks of bathing and changing. And we need funding for this help"

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©Copyright 2011 Joan Gershman 
The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
2011 All Rights Reserved
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