My uncle is one hot tamale to the older ladies in the world with dementia/alz. His mother-in-law battled Alzheimer's and she took on a strong liking of him as her mind was deteriorating. Now his own mother is showing signs that perhaps she is under the influence that he is well....his father.
She's a little catty around her daughter-in-law. She has forgotten numerous times that her son and daughter-in-law are married. My mother often has to answer her questions: Are they married? Have they been married a long time? Did you go to their wedding? Did I (her) go to their wedding?
Their wedding was nearly forty plus years ago.
My mother found her dressed up to go out. Wires were crossed (as they seem to stay crossed these days) so my mom decided to take her to dinner. The grandma was flustered...confused....out of control. They had dinner and according to her (grandma) it was not comfortable or good.
Made me think:
What is comfortable when you are becoming a stranger in world you have been immersed in for nearing ninety years?
What is good when you cannot remember your eldest son's wedding?
What is comfortable or good when not only are you a stranger but the people you have known since their entrance into the world are now semi-familiar faces with no names.
This month is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. There are #EndAlz walks all around the country. The purple ribbon is on television and billboards. News stations are highlighting facts and figures for us. This disease is growing.
I challenge you this month to read up on Alzheimer's and dementia and make yourself aware of what all these diseases do. If you are blessed to have never been touched by it take time to say a prayer for a friend who is.
There is no cure for this disease. Like so many others out there we have a slim offering of medications that may slow down the process but it will not make it go away. Consider donating to helping fund research that aids in the elimination of Alzheimer's.
No one wants to lose their mind....it is a beautiful thing to let go to waste.
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