Memory Matters

By Amy Hoffmann Schenk, RN, BSN, MS Ed, Community Engagement Lead Neuropsychiatric Research Center of SW Florida

Over the past seven years I have had the privilege of working with individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

Having the opportunity to provide education and support to many in southwest Florida has been a rewarding and valuable part of my career. When I became a nurse in the 1980s, we did not know much of what we do today. Back then, the terms we used were “hardening of the arteries, senility, or organic brain syndrome.” Things have come a very long way since that time, not only with updated approaches to interact with those living with dementia, but also the ability to identify the different types of dementia through more sophisticated diagnostic approaches.

One thing that has not changed that much are the challenges that can come along with being the care partner, friend or relative of someone living with dementia. In any situation, being a caregiver may bring additional stress. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers frequently report experiencing high levels of stress. In addition to the feelings of stress, caregivers can be at higher risk for health problems. Caregivers also report decreased participation in preventive health behaviors, and a greater likelihood of smoking, drinking and poor sleeping patterns.

Some of the challenges caregivers experience may result from behavior that is unusual for their loved one. Not only is it not typical, trying to respond effectively can be frustrating for the caregiver. As the disease progresses, changes in one’s ability to communicate, reason, and understand logical explanations is impacted. Here are some examples that may be familiar.

“My husband, Alan, keeps saying he sees his sister and that she is talking to him. He even says he smells her perfume, but she has been dead for 3 years. He insists that it’s real even when I tell him it’s not possible. The other night he said there were ants crawling on him, but I checked and there was nothing there. He just won’t listen to me!“

In this situation, Alan is experiencing hallucinations. These hallucinations are very real to the person experiencing them, and insisting that the hallucinations aren’t real is an approach that will likely not be successful.

Here is another example:
“My mother, Ruth, accuses me of stealing her purse all the time. She also said I wasn’t really her daughter because her daughter is not a thief. I can’t convince her that this is not true, no matter how many times I tell her. And last week she said that the president was in her house, and she talked with him about her moving to Washington, DC. That is just ridiculous. I keep telling her it’s all in her head and just keeps calling me a thief. Where does she get these ideas?”

Ruth is experiencing paranoia and delusions. Trying to convince her that what she is saying and experiencing is not real will not be helpful.

Here is another situation:
“My wife, Juanita will not sit still. I look up and she is pacing in the kitchen and she always seems to be mad at me. She used to be so sweet and agreeable and now she is annoyed all the time. She won’t take her medication even though I explain to her that she has to take it. She snaps at me if I try to help her with anything, and last week she actually screamed at me and called me names. She got so mad at me that she hit me with her purse. I just can’t seem to get her to relax.”

Juanita is experiencing anxiety, agitation and some aggression. Trying to correct her may cause her to be even more upset. As in the other scenarios, using logic to explain the reasons she needs her medication may not work.

If using a logical explanation is not effective, where can you find tips that may work? The Alzheimer’s Association has some excellent recommendations and approaches for caregivers when dealing with some of these situations. Learning new techniques for interacting with those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias can help in the caregiving journey. Here is a direct link to the information https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-
behaviors. Or contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 free helpline at 800-272-3900.

If you are caring for someone or know of someone who may have some of these issues, it is time to get checked out. Talk to your primary care practitioner. Contact us at NPRC 239-939-7777 to see if there are any current or upcoming studies available. If you haven’t had a baseline memory screen, please schedule one at NPRC.

We are having a two day event on Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st. The memory screens are free, you do not need insurance, so contact us today at 239-939-7777 to schedule your screening, Memories matter!

NPRC
Neuropsychiatric Research Center of SW Florida

239-939-7777 | nprc-swfl.com
14271 Metropolis Avenue., Fort Myers, FL

 

References:
The Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors