A closer look at the effects of Alzheimer’s disease

Not too long ago I read that, second to cancer, the disease people are most afraid of is Alzheimer’s.

This makes sense; just the thought of losing someone before they’re physically gone is frightening.

Alzheimer’s is known as the most common form of dementia. It can cause problems with memory and behavior. And, as I recently learned, it can also cause unhealthy levels of stress to family members taking on the caregiver role.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are more than 5 million Americans living with the disease. Alzheimer’s is also reported as the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., causing more deaths than breast and prostate cancer combined, according to the association.

I visited Pacifica Senior Living this week, a facility that offers services in assisted living and memory care in Merced.

I sat down with Pacifica executive director Patty King, community relations director Theresa Chatham and resident care director Johanna West. The women spoke about changes in lifestyle, personality and family dynamics triggered by Alzheimer’s disease.

It is common, they explained, for people with any type of dementia to try to mask their condition.

When having a conversation, they will try to speak about things in the past because that’s what they remember best: long-term memories.

With short conversations about things they remember, it is easier to keep up the illusion that they are fine, King explained. This can cause families to be oblivious of what is happening to their loved ones.

This is especially true, Chatham added, for people who go a long time without seeing their children or family. “They have short conversations over the phone and they seem to be doing OK,” she said.

Some families will notice early signs of Alzheimer’s, but won’t make the connection until later on. Checking for keys and cellphones several times before leaving home, or going back and forth to ensure the oven is off can be small indicators, King said.

People with Alzheimer’s appreciate routine. “Maintaining a routine helps them function better,” West said. “As their health conditions change, their routine changes, but it’s not overnight.”

Even the slightest change can cause great trouble. For instance, changing their cellphone’s screen saver can confuse them. They will not use their phone because they do not recognize it anymore.

But when people stop recognizing critical things like pain, thirst and hunger, that is when serious health concerns kick in, the directors said.

Residents have to be constantly checked on when they are no longer able to say “I don’t feel good” because even minor things like a urinary tract infection, for example, can lead to hospitalization.

One of the hardest things to watch, the directors said, is when residents are no longer able to identify their children or spouse.

In the facility’s memory care unit, it is not rare for residents to become “boyfriend and girlfriend,” because they forget they are married. This can be hard for the spouse to watch, but they have to be patient and understanding, the directors said.

“The movie ‘The Notebook’ is a good depiction of how it really is,” Chatham said. “It’s heartbreaking.”

At Pacifica, the directors have taken in residents as young as in their late 50s. Alzheimer’s cannot be cured, prevented or slowed. And what triggers the disease is still unclear.

Genes, environment and age are all thought to be factors. People who have suffered trauma are probably more likely to develop a form of dementia, the directors said. There is also research that suggests environmental factors such as air pollution can contribute to degenerative brain diseases.

Alzheimer’s is one of the fastest growing health concerns and one that will be a rude awakening to baby boomers, who are at an age when dementia tends to develop.

The directors said that those who care for someone with Alzheimer’s can’t do it alone, or at least shouldn’t.

“People come to us looking for help, and they are at their wits’ end,” King said. “They’ve been trying to handle this for a long time, and they can’t do it anymore.”

Family members caring for someone with dementia rarely get enough sleep and their stress level can cause health problems.

Assisted living homes become a good option for caregivers who need help or a break.

The worst thing family members can do, the directors explained, is try to “fix” people with dementia. They need patience, understanding and assurance that they are contributing to something.

“You just have to go the journey,” West said. “You can’t change them.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 6:42 PM with the headline "A closer look at the effects of Alzheimer’s disease."