HOT PURSUIT

Imagine unexplainable forgetfulness or misplacing things. For some, it’s withdrawal from social activities or changes in personality and mood. And yet others simply can’t remember family members or those close to them.
These are just some examples of what happens to people who are battling Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
In the past year, I have gotten a first-hand look at how this disease takes a toll on those who have it and family members left to deal with it. I have a family member who has gone from being independent his entire life to being locked up in what he calls a “prison.” It’s not, but it may as well be as it’s a secure memory care unit.
The only good thing is we at least can take comfort in knowing he is safe and under constant care.
I often find myself being helpless and not knowing what to do when I receive messages from him. One of the recent ones: “My life is a mess. Confusion with my memory loss. It’s a nightmare that does not end.”
Another one: “I feel as if I’m in prison. Staff is fine, but living like this is not.”
Then yet another one came along saying: “A new experience I do not want to live with.”
How do you respond when a loved one indicates he doesn’t want to live any longer?
Sadly, things are never going to get better for him. It’s likely going to spiral downward even worse than it’s now. Nothing prepares you for the emotional and psychological roller-coaster caused by this growing epidemic.
Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, with one in three seniors dying from it or dementia. More than 5 million people are living with the disease.
This disease robs the person of being the person they once knew themselves to be and sometimes, in worst-case scenarios, they live for years not knowing who they are or who anybody else is. Thankfully, in my case, we haven’t reached that point yet. He is quick to ask about my family and my kids. I relish those moments, knowing they may not always be there.
My family is not alone. In 2019, more than 16 million caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 18.6 billion hours of unpaid care.
Perhaps the scariest is that 50% of primary care physicians believe the medical profession is not ready for the growing number of people with Alzheimer’s.
By now, you most likely have figured out there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. The only hope out there is to try and slow the progression of the disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association is working to advance the care, support and research across the world to not only make a difference in the lives of those facing Alzheimer’s, but also to try and find a cure.
Last weekend was a Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Owatonna. Similar walks have taken place in 600 communities throughout the U.S. The motto is simple: “Where there’s walk, there is a way.”
The end of Alzheimer’s starts with you. Money is needed to help fight this crippling disease of the mind. Donations can still be sent to www.alz.org/walk.
Together, if we all go in hot pursuit of ending Alzheimer’s, we can make a difference in someone else’s life and the lives of their family members. I know our family would appreciate it.