Misconceptions About Alzheimer’s Disease
Our society has a lot of misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease, and as our family members get older, it is important that we know what the disease really is, and what it is not. Here is a list of five misconceptions or myths about Alzheimer’s that you might currently think are truths. Hopefully, these can steer you in the right direction and help you formulate a better senior care plan for an elderly loved one.
- Silence equals a lack of understanding. Oftentimes, an Alzheimer’s patient will sit silently while there are conversations going on around them. Yes, this is a symptom of the disease, but just because they are not speaking does not mean that they cannot hear or understand what is being said to them. Communication is important, and even if they are not answering you, you should still speak kindly to them and explain things. Their silence is not indicative of a lack of understanding.
- Nonsensical behavior confuses them even more. Alzheimer’s disease patients will often exhibit behavior that makes no sense to us, but that doesn’t mean that it makes no sense to them. This kind of behavior–although misguided–is always done for a good reason in their minds. Wandering out of the house late at night might be done because they are looking for a spouse, unable to remember that their wife or husband passed away years ago. It might make little sense to us, but to them, it is very logical.
- Alzheimer’s causes people to revert to child-like thoughts. Just because an Alzheimer’s patient might display immature behavior does not mean that they have the mentality of a kid. Certain things will become tough for someone suffering from this type of dementia, such as using the bathroom or letting people know about their needs, but, again, this is not proof that they are a little kid again. And it certainly does not mean that they should be treated like a child, especially if they are your parent. Give them the same dignity and respect that you always have, even if this might seem hard at times.
- Forgetfulness is progressive. The course of dementia is not a straight path downhill. Yes, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but that doesn’t mean that it’s progression is predictable or steady. Everyone is affected a little differently by the disease and some see it move more quickly than others. It is a terminal illness, but that doesn’t mean that there will not be good days mixed in with the bad.
- Alzheimer’s patients are incapable of making decisions. Yes, it’s difficult for a person suffering from this disease to initiate the decision making process, but they are still able to make decisions if given guidance and explanations. It can be tough at times, but it is empowering for them, and can help to slow down the spread of the disease, according to some researchers. By allowing them to think about things and use reasoning skills, the degenerative nature of the disease can be slowed a bit, and this is a very good thing. Any caregiver should try and ask opinions whenever applicable to help with this.
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