Alzheimer’s and It’s Effect

Description of Alzheimer and It’s Effects

Alzheimer is a fatal brain disease. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, described it in 1906. According to Alzheimer’s Association, “As many as 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Today it is the seventh –leading cause of death in the United States.”  It causes memory, thinking, and behavior problems that interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s destroys brain cells and gets worse over time. Currently, there is no cure.

Responses

Step One: Care

People with Alzheimer’s need to know someone cares for them. Have a willing heart and helping hands. Show them through words that they are cared for. Tell them how special they are. Tell them again and again and again. Listen patiently to what they say.  Philippians 2:4 says, “Do not think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.”

Step Two: Develop Trust

It is necessary to build trust with an Alzheimer’s patient. Developing trust with an Alzheimer’s patient builds an open and lasting friendship. Build trust by encouraging them. Always show that you care about them.

Step Two: Continue the Friendship

Develop a relationship with them. Share stories with them. Ask questions about their life, experiences, and feelings.

Limit visits in the beginning to twenty or thirty minutes. Laugh together. Tell funny stories about daily experiences. Look for things that are hard for them to do and do it for them. Share Christ with them if they do not know the Lord.

Step Three: Moving Arrangements

Honor their desire to remain at home unless it becomes absolutely necessary to make other arrangements.

Remember: The elderly are weak. The young are strong. Show love and patience to them. Show consideration for others (Rom.15:1).

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