ALZHEIMER'S

We admitted “Terri”, seventy-three to our hospice program today.  Terri was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease twelve years ago when she was only sixty-one.  Terri is married to her husband, “George”, who met us at the front door. George immediately started to tell us all about Terri.  It was so obvious how much he loved her.   Terri has been in a recent two month decline to where she is becoming weaker and needing more help with her daily activities. 

George was hoping, with hospice support, Terri might get better.  He has done thorough research on Alzheimer’s Disease, but still, each day, is looking for a piece of his wife at how she was before.  Deep down, I know he is aware that that will not happen, but emotionally, he is still hoping for a peek of her “old self”. 

It was so obvious that George knew all about the disease.  He so thoroughly researched as was hoping to understand the disease.  But emotionally, he still had hopes of the wife he knew, would one day return. 

George does reach out to his two children, who are so supportive to their parents.  I cannot even imagine what he is going through.  He is in the process of arranging for caregiver support as knows he has to take care of himself as well.  George did say, “I don’t want to get mad at her for not being able to do things”.  I need to have energy to care for her.  

George is very realistic about her disease, but, on the other hand, hopes that she will get better.  That is what likely helps him to get through each day.  There is no right or wrong way to grieve; to survive.  Hospice is available to George as much as we are to Terri.  I know if Terri could understand, she would want us to help her husband too.  That is called unconditional love; and that doesn’t get any better.

ALZHEIMER’S

 

Twelve years ago, they both heard,

“You have Alzheimer’s Disease.

There is no cure for this illness.

There is nothing more to be done.”

 

She was only sixty-one.

She had been so healthy for years.

She was hoping for a full life ahead.

Now life appears to be just a huge struggle.

 

She’s been in a steep decline lately.

She’s become much more confused.

Only speaking in two to three words.

Becoming so wobbly when she walks.

 

He is struggling with these changes.

He keeps hoping she’ll come back around;

be a bit more like her old self,

but then, knowing that she can’t; she won’t.

 

She is up at night, becoming afraid and anxious.

She is seeing things; hallucinating.

He doesn’t want to believe; but so truly is aware,

as has researched thoroughly on the computer.

 

He strongly remembers what her doctor said

in response to her anxiety; her fears;

relating to the heartlessness of Alzheimer’s Disease.

“She is looking for happiness and not finding it.”

 

That is the simple definition;

          the power;

                    the strength of

                                   Alzheimer’s Disease.