Our Journey Through Alzheimer's
One Caregiver's Story
by
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“Knowledge
is power.” Nowhere does this have more
meaning than for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
Being
informed is being prepared to face reality.
Knowing what to expect can take some of the fear and uncertainty out of
the journey. Joining a local support
group is a great source of strength.
Having someone to share experiences with can relieve some of the
stress. There are even online support
groups for those who have internet available to them.
Beginning
with your local library all the way to the internet, you can find books on
Alzheimer’s disease, as well as caregiving in
general. One book I found especially helpful was The
36-Hour Day
by
Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins. But it is not a book I could take in all at
once. Only as changes took place with my husband was I able to go to the book
to see what was written about any new behavior.
Checking
references only as a new situation
arose
was my way of keeping a distance between
that which I knew in my heart would be coming and still be able to cope with
what was happening in the present.
The
inconsistent behavior of a person with Alzheimer’s disease is one of the
hardest situations for the caregiver.
The emotional impact is enormous.
Because we are human it is not always possible to remember that it is
the disease and not our loved one, who is speaking or acting unkindly. Often we will react in the same manner.
One
time in particular I remember yelling at Herrick because of something he had
done. Immediately, I began crying
because I knew I should not have yelled at him.
He apologized and said, “I do the best I can. Please stop crying.”
Remembering
such incidents is painful. But it will
happen every now and then. Just don’t
beat yourself up when it does.
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Book Details
About the Book
There
are numerous books on the market today dealing with caregiving,
but none as explicit as Our Journey Through Alzheimer’s by Dorothy C. Snyder. This is her account of living daily with and
caring for a spouse suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
With
intimate details, the author tells about the devastation of this debilitating
disease and how it affects the person with Alzheimer’s. She tells about the challenges of the bizarre
behavior exhibited by her husband and how she dealt with them. She relates in detail how this disease
affected her husband and how she cared for him at home throughout the
journey. Each situation and person is
different, and the author does not claim to have all the answers, but tells
what worked for her, and gives suggestions on how it might work for you.
From
diagnosis to death she gives practical, down to earth suggestions as she tells
it like it is. The book is a mixture of
cheerleading and empathy for you the caregiver as you assume this role, while
never forgetting the loved one who is afflicted with the disease. One day at a time you will be able to
complete the journey, too.
About the Author
The author is uniquely qualified to write about caregiving. Her
husband suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and she cared for him at home until
his death.
Writing from personal experience, she does not
hesitate to show her vulnerability in an effort to encourage and inspire those
who are on the caregiving journey with a loved one
who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
She pulls no punches in telling her story with the hope that it will
encourage and inspire other caregivers.
Snyder is the author of numerous articles which have
been published in several periodicals and magazines.