I watched my grandmother as her brain slowly melted over 2 years due to Alzheimer’s. At the end she could barely move on her own, shitting herself constantly, and had no idea what was going on around her. I hate that our healthcare system forced and pressured her into going through that.
If someone has Alzheimer’s, they should be allowed to pick a day of clarity where they can do their favorite things one last time before going out by OD’ing themselves with heroine. It’d be far more peaceful and dignified than what they go through today.
Alzheimer’s is a hell of a disease. I have worked with people who have Alzheimer’s for decades now. I am always hoping they are going to be able to reverse or even stop the damage. They are closer than ever before, but the reality of all those people I had hope for have already passed.
There are no easy answers here. I knew an elder who always said if he got Alzheimer’s he would take himself out. Guess what? He got Alzheimer’s and forgot to.
Another lady I worked with was pretty far into her dementia. I was sitting with her in the morning and she was drinking coffee. Suddenly she made eye contact and said, “I am scared because my mind is going, things I used to remember are gone and I struggle to realize all the people I have lost.” She lost focus after this and started staring off into space.
They are still in there, I know it. I will never forget this one elder I had been working with for awhile. Their son came to visit and we were all sitting there talking about their care. The elder forgot who their son was and said that I was their son and starting arguing with them. Seeing their actual family member realize their grandmother no longer recognized them sucked so bad.
I watched my grandmother as her brain slowly melted over 2 years due to Alzheimer’s. At the end she could barely move on her own, shitting herself constantly, and had no idea what was going on around her. I hate that our healthcare system forced and pressured her into going through that.
If someone has Alzheimer’s, they should be allowed to pick a day of clarity where they can do their favorite things one last time before going out by OD’ing themselves with heroine. It’d be far more peaceful and dignified than what they go through today.
Alzheimer’s is a hell of a disease. I have worked with people who have Alzheimer’s for decades now. I am always hoping they are going to be able to reverse or even stop the damage. They are closer than ever before, but the reality of all those people I had hope for have already passed.
There are no easy answers here. I knew an elder who always said if he got Alzheimer’s he would take himself out. Guess what? He got Alzheimer’s and forgot to.
Another lady I worked with was pretty far into her dementia. I was sitting with her in the morning and she was drinking coffee. Suddenly she made eye contact and said, “I am scared because my mind is going, things I used to remember are gone and I struggle to realize all the people I have lost.” She lost focus after this and started staring off into space.
They are still in there, I know it. I will never forget this one elder I had been working with for awhile. Their son came to visit and we were all sitting there talking about their care. The elder forgot who their son was and said that I was their son and starting arguing with them. Seeing their actual family member realize their grandmother no longer recognized them sucked so bad.