Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Toll of Alzheimer's

Most of us know about the perils of Alzheimer's disease. It is a slowly progressive problem that leads the patient into a confusing world where they often don't know who they are or who their loved ones are. Couples married 50 years or more are separated by forgotten memories and distance stares. Perhaps the most devastating aspect of Alzheimer's is the fact that the person who has memory intact is the one who seems to suffer the most and that is the point of today's report. If you are a person who has a loved one with Alzheimer's diseaseit is important that you take care of yourself. In my practice I have seen it again and again it is the loved one who provides care who ultimately has their own health damaged. In fact in many cases they die before their loved one. You do not need to feel guilty about doing things yourself. Remember you need a break. There is a book that was written many years ago that is as true today as it was when it was written. It is called a 36 hour day and explains at least a small way what loved ones go through.

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