Alzheimer’s - a personal perspective - LPNI

Main menu:

Alzheimer’s - a personal perspective

LPNI Health Topic – December 2018

Alzheimer’s takes a family and friends on a very personal journey, with no two families experiencing the condition in the same way. Medically, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to memory loss and changes in thinking and other brain functions. It usually develops slowly and gradually gets worse as brain function declines and brain cells eventually wither and die. Ultimately, Alzheimer's is fatal, and currently, there is no cure.

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10 NIV)

My mother, who is 84 years old, started to show signs of memory loss six years ago and her condition gradually deteriorated. Indications were when she was unable to find her way back home, forgot when she had her last meal, or when she had taken a shower. Then she started to see imaginary things and started talking to the TV as if the people on it were present. I know Alzheimer’s symptoms and its progress, but I wasn’t able to accept that this was happening to my own beloved mother. It has been hard to accept the fact that she is unable to recognize me. It seems impossible that she can forget who I am. It is so painful to see my Mom afflicted in this way. Sometimes she sits quietly without any activity but suddenly becomes aggressive and anxious for no reason, and then attacks and insults those around her.

It was very difficult for my brother and sisters to accept our mother’s new situation. My major goal is to maintain Mom’s dignity by providing her with reassurance. Unfortunately, the geographical distance between us prohibited me from providing adequate care for her. I decided to bring Mom closer to me and she spent three months in my home. It was the hardest three months my own family had ever experienced. This wasn’t an appropriate solution because I had to leave her during the day while I was at work. Thus she was alone, but always on my mind. Prayerfully, I made the decision to put her in a nursing home that is near my home. Honestly, this was the best decision, but my two sisters and brother were against it. This was one year ago. However, now my sisters and I can visit her, especially in the evenings for least two hours, offering her a good meal, making sure she is taking her medication and, most importantly, we are present, touching her, hugging her, showing her how much we love her.

It has been a very hard journey, but I believe God has been there, walking beside us, encouraging, supporting and comforting us. He is there for every tear, every disappointment, and every fleeting moment of joy and hope. Because we are all children of God, created in his image, every human life has value and is worthy of respect, regardless of level of ability or disability. We do believe that human life has value because of whose we are, not because of what we do. That’s why I will never give up, will never stop loving Mom, will never stop visiting her even though she doesn’t know who I am. I know who she is and what she means to me. I will continue encouraging and supporting my family as we make this journey together. I will be the hands of God to her until she peacefully goes to her heavenly home.

Raeda Mansour, Parish Nurse

Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem

Intergeneration Program Manager at Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture