During my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest, I was out was asked to assess a woman who’d been diagnosed with early onset dementia and subsequent Parkinsonism when she was 60.
Dee is a former physical education teacher and fitness expert whose escalating lapses in memory, thinking, and judgment were making her anxious and depressed. Doctors prescribed medications for all her symptoms, but some of their side effects left her tired and more forgetful.
We talked on a back porch, on the cool evening while watching the sun set. Dee was well dressed, engaging, conversational, with a sense of humor, in short, seemed quite together. She was oriented in every arena; she knew where she was, whom she was with, and events in the world. Then in a flash, she’d suddenly stop in mid sentence, and have no idea what she’d been talking about. She acknowledged the lapse, asked me where she was in the conversation, and when I reminded her, continued on without hesitation.
These lapses escalated her anxiety, and she was unforgiving of herself for these new limitations. Her husband was devoted to her care, and always by her side. He was clearly wearing down, the stress escalating the frequency of his cardiac arrhythmias.
Dee and I sat on rockers, both under blankets watching the sunset. It’s farewell glow created a halo over the distant snowcapped peaks as we talked intimately about the things that were important to us.
My six year-old Grandson was playing nearby, and the scene was so breathtakingly beautiful that I felt my voice quiver when I spoke. I told Dee that Native people looking at the setting sun and say…thank you for this day and for the one that will come tomorrow. I told her everything changes, the way it was is not the way it is, and it’s up to us to find a way to be happy in this moment. Look how beautiful this is, and as I watched my Grandson I felt my eyes moisten. I told Dee to visit with an animal loving, tree hugging, sage burning friend of mine who had faced some serious losses herself and could help her create more moments just like this.
An estimated 15% of the population over 65 is diagnosed with a dementia, and 33% will be affected by the time they are 85. As a culture we’re getting older, and it’s imposing an enormous burden on families and caregivers. We don’t need to be over-medicating our elderly, we do need to be making more personal connections…(support groups for patients and caregivers, chaplains, friends and relatives, people who will walk the dog with you, see the flowers, hear the music, listen to each others stories), these are all the things that stimulate our physical, sensory and cognitive abilities.
We cannot cure dementia but a community coming together can make the path a healing journey.
Amen, you have prescribed the best medicine for this group of people with these diagnoses
Russ
I agree with the need for connections, but there is more that is being largely ignored. Recent studies (see nutrition.org) indicate that a plant based diet might slow or halt the progress of dementia among other diseases.
A great example of psychoneuroimmunology in action.
By offering her a new perspective + a new contact who
has been through something similar, you have given her
the tools to forge meaning and build identity. You rock, doc!
To,complement this beautiful evaluation of dementia, there is recent research that indicates that having a purpose seems to ward off dementia, even if plaques are presen to the same extent as those who get dementia but don’t have a purpose in life. Purpose also seems to contrivute to living longer. All this is fleshed out in a recent blog for the Hastings Center Over 65, at http://www.over65.com
Stevie Moffic
Thanks for all your considered responses and sending warm regards to you all, :O)
I just read an amazing testimonial written by the daughter of an alzheimers victim. The mother had deteriorated to the point of being conversationless and dependent for pretty much everything except the bathroom.
The daughter began administering CO otherwise know as cannibis oil. I do not the specifics but 1.5 grams/day are typical for serious illness such as dementia and cancer.
The morning of the 4th day of supplementing with CO the daughter was amazed to find her mom up before her, with coffee and breakfast already made! They proceeded to spend the day in conversation, going shopping together. Most amazing is what happened just prior to the daughters previously scheduled engagement for the afternoon that day. The Mother reminded the Daughter of her upcoming engagement that Daughter had mentioned in earlier conversation. While extensive research had been done on marijuana (to find excuse to prohibit) none was found and this research suppressed. This research is revealled and expanding greatly. Working with and learning about the endocannabinoid system of the human body many discoveries and unlimited healing potential exists. I look forward to humanity continuing to realize the amazing therapeutic potential that exists beyond what can be currently explained.
Thanks for this James, and yes the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids is dramatically under appreciated