Dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease

Mary M. Gieseler, RN, MBA, Performance Improvement Specialist, Behavioral Health Services

Most of us have been touched by Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in some way or another in our lives. As someone has said, “Alzheimer’s is the disease that first steals you and then kills you.” Watching the effects of this disease on a loved one can be painful. While there is no cure for AD, there are some steps that can be taken to help ease the process.

Medical professionals continue to search for the actual causes of plaque buildup in the brain which stops the brain’s “wires” from transmitting messages.  As the plaque build up continues, more and more of the brain’s messages are interrupted, causing momentary lapses of memory, then loss of recent memory and then eventually a return to the memories and thoughts of childhood.  It is heartbreaking for family members to realize that Grandmother no longer knows who they are, or that Father believes they are strangers who are threatening him.

As the condition worsens, the patient realizes what is happening – the loss of a set of keys, for instance, becomes a sign of impending “loss of mind”.  The patient becomes aware of problems recalling words or names, or difficulty doing simple tasks, and frustration leads to outbursts of temper and to personality changes. Later on, as the brain can’t communicate with the muscles of the arms and legs, getting dressed or taking a shower requires assistance. The patient can no longer safely stay alone in the home.

The first thing anyone can do for a loved one who seems to be deteriorating mentally is take them to their family doctor, who knows how they normally think and behave. There are no medical tests to make a definite diagnosis of AD, but a physician who knows the patient’s health history, including what is “normal” or “baseline” for her or him, can assess the patient’s present-day functioning. There are medications that can help the patient feel better and improve social interaction.

There is no cure for AD yet, although research is ongoing.  The family physician can assist by providing medication, making appropriate referrals, and suggesting resources. The patient and family will need to plan ahead.  Legal business should be taken care of while the patient is able.  End-of-life issues should be addressed while the patient can still make decisions.   

Dealing with AD can be a long, tiring process, but you don’t have to face it alone. Patients and family members should assemble a team of good friends, clergypersons, and health professionals who can share the load. Mississippi is blessed with many AD resources. You can visit the Behavioral Health Services page at mysrhs.com for a list of these resources. 

For those needing further assistance, contact SRHS Behavioral Health Services at 228-809-2273.