Losing someone to Alzheimer’s

 

We cannot stop time.  In my 30’s and 40’s I never thought about death and dying in the context that it would ever happen to me.  It was a thought in a far away place that was only going to happen in a different space and time.  As I just turned 50, which is old to some and young to others, I don’t look at it that way anymore.  I worry, which is something I never did before.  It’s inevitable that we will all get old someday.  I want to get older, but I want to be healthy otherwise what is the point. 

The people that have a naturel desire to be healthy amaze me. They do it with such ease, they eat right, exercise, limit their alcohol and they don’t smoke.  After spending years doing just that, they still may end up with Alzheimer’s.  If you did not know, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.   It progresses leads to loss of ability to carry on conversation and respond to the environment.  It is a slow process, and it is an anguishing to have to live. 

I, in turn have seen the devastation that it can cause.  How an awesome caring man goes from strong, hard-working, reliable, and outgoing; to feeble, dependant, anxious, frustrated, and unhappy. If it can happen to him there is a chance it happens to me or someone I know.  There are over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia.  These patients are the most vulnerable. 

The next time you hear someone mention that their father, mother, friend or loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, read about it.  Take the time to understand what they are going through.  The 40- and 50-year-olds will see only see the numbers get worse and in the next 15 to 25 years, it will be our turn.  The younger generation will still be living in that far away place in a different space and time.  Hopefully your children will take care of you but if they don’t, we will be the ones that will have to deal with the situation.   I worry.