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Fading away Beyond the issues of
cleanliness and keeping up habits, children are reluctant to acknowledge the mom or dad they knew is becoming a different person. Their impulse is to try to bring back the parent to present reality, but attempting to force them to contend with the present situation is counterproductive. “With these disorders,
Community
April 7 – 20, 2012
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it’s very common for sufferers to revert to an earlier time, maybe 20, 30 or 40 years prior,” says Escobedo. “They will speak clearly but be repetitive, almost like a compulsive disorder but they don’t know they’re doing it. Family members want to correct the behavior rather than work within the patient’s particular reality. They try to keep mom and dad who they are, but the truth is mom and dad are changing before their eyes.”
It is especially hard for loved ones to
accept this slippage, because unlike cancer or other lethal conditions, there is no hope of patient improvement with progressive memory disorders. “The illness is ever-changing and a patient
may plateau, but eventually there will be another decline,” Escobedo notes. “It’s painful for family to witness, but knowing what to anticipate and being realistic about the process helps.”
CARING: Seniors with memory loss challenges can be cared for in 24-hour facilities such as Copper Creek Inn in Chandler, which has garden areas, sitting and dining rooms. STSN photos by Debbie Jennings
Care options The type of care required by someone
with dementia or Alzheimer’s varies with patient condition and the disease stage. Some families opt to keep the patient at home for as long as possible, perhaps supplemented by a nurse or other professional. This can be exhausting for families providing care, but there are methods for helping caregivers cope. “Caregivers tend to get sick and worn
down themselves,” says Escobedo. Someone always needs them. But they can take advantage of services like respite care where patients can be placed temporarily in a residential facility for a few days up to 30 days. There is also adult day care for the elderly who can’t be left by alone while a caregiver goes to work or to an appointment. Families can rest assured their loved one is being taken care of, fed and groomed in a
When was the last time your child’s fever scheduled an appointment?
safe and supervised environment.” When a patient’s condition deteriorates to the point where constant professional care is needed, families often choose placement in a 24-hour facility such as Copper Creek Inn. “After all other resources are exhausted,
it’s time to look at placing mom or dad in a residential community,” Escobedo explains. “This not only provides round-the-clock care for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it allows them to be with peers who are experiencing the same thing they are. And it takes the burden off the children and lets
them focus on visiting with parents rather than constantly performing tasks. It makes them more patient with mom and dad while everyone is going through a very, very painful time.” Copper Creek Inn at 2200 W. Fairview St. in Chandler offers an Alzheimer’s support group the second Tuesday of the month. For more information call 480-634-4191 or visit
www.koelschseniorcommunities.com. Miriam Van Scott is a former Kerby
Estates resident who can be reached at
Miriam@SanTanSun.com.
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