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Change Isn't Always Good
Change can be a good thing if we look at it from a positive perspective, but for some change can be extremely upsetting. The individuals who fit in the latter category are those with neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease and, as any family member will tell you, it can be upsetting to the point of terror.
I worked with Alzheimer's patients in a national medication study and I met SDAT (Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type) patients from all over the country. Some of them were homemakers in the South or the Midwest, others were extremely powerful executives or former major military men or prestigious surgeons. They all had one thing in common; change was intolerable for them.
We take change as a part of life, but when SDAT strikes, change becomes frightening to the point that patients will fight to avoid it. For that reason, we know that keeping both the environment and the people in it as stable as possible helps ease this inability to accept change.
I can remember one young man who didn't have SDAT, but he did have a form of autism and he had been on one unit of the hospital for probably eight years or so. The staff decided it was time for him to become part of the larger hospital community and he was moved to another building. Day after day, he came back to his former building and threw pebbles at the windows to attract attention. He had few words he could say, but he knew that throwing pebbles would attract attention and, possibly, give "voice" to his dilemma. Finally, after two weeks, he was returned to his former building and things settled down.
For those families who are struggling with the stress of loved ones who have these illnesses, it is very difficult to understand. One thing to remember is that the patients have little control over what happens to them, but in imposing stability in their lives you can help. Keeping familiar items of furniture, photos or other mementoes with them, no matter where they may be, can be very comforting.
Related Topics: Alzheimer's: A Simple Guide for Families, Guide to Caregiving
Technorati Tags: alzheimers, dementia, aging
I worked with Alzheimer's patients in a national medication study and I met SDAT (Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type) patients from all over the country. Some of them were homemakers in the South or the Midwest, others were extremely powerful executives or former major military men or prestigious surgeons. They all had one thing in common; change was intolerable for them.
We take change as a part of life, but when SDAT strikes, change becomes frightening to the point that patients will fight to avoid it. For that reason, we know that keeping both the environment and the people in it as stable as possible helps ease this inability to accept change.
I can remember one young man who didn't have SDAT, but he did have a form of autism and he had been on one unit of the hospital for probably eight years or so. The staff decided it was time for him to become part of the larger hospital community and he was moved to another building. Day after day, he came back to his former building and threw pebbles at the windows to attract attention. He had few words he could say, but he knew that throwing pebbles would attract attention and, possibly, give "voice" to his dilemma. Finally, after two weeks, he was returned to his former building and things settled down.
For those families who are struggling with the stress of loved ones who have these illnesses, it is very difficult to understand. One thing to remember is that the patients have little control over what happens to them, but in imposing stability in their lives you can help. Keeping familiar items of furniture, photos or other mementoes with them, no matter where they may be, can be very comforting.
Related Topics: Alzheimer's: A Simple Guide for Families, Guide to Caregiving
Technorati Tags: alzheimers, dementia, aging
