Dementia

Dementia a very intimating and scary disease, one many elderly people fear getting. Dementia is seen in many forms such as Lewy Body, early onset, alcohol induced, Parkinson's related, etc. There are many forms of dementia and every case of dementia is different. I worked as a nurses aide on a locked Alzheimer's/ Dementia unit for over two years, and I can say personally that everyday is different. Those with dementia, like every other person alive, have both good days and bad days. On the good days the patients may willingly shower, or stay dressed at the breakfast table. On bad days patients would disrobe at the breakfast table, refuse to eat, or scream at the aide that was trying to help them eat. Caring for some that has dementia is a difficult task that I would not wish on anyone. It was hard seeing family members leaving distraught because their mother does not know who they are or that their husband can't remember who they are. I gained a lot of compassion for not only my residents but for their families as well, dementia and Alzheimer's is not a path that is only walked by those that are suffering from the disease but also by their families and friends that are there for them as well. My hope is that one day we will find a cure for dementia/Alzheimer's and be able to irradiate this debilitating disease.

Reference:
Berger, K. S. (2011). The Developing Person Through the Life Span. New York: Worth Publishers.