Alzheimer’s – Any benefits? By Paul Smetana
I’ve spent about 30 years working as a Diversional Therapist and nurse in Nursing Homes, and in the community. I have been working with people who have all the various stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. While there are many personal aspects to how people with the disease react, there are some commonalities.
The early stage is very difficult, because a person knows that they are losing memory and skills. It’s frightening, knowing and experiencing these losses. It’s a totally unbalancing time. But then comes the time of reprieve. This is where people are no longer aware of what’s happening to them, and their losses of memory. Something new and fresh, starts to happen. This the Honeymoon period.
For a time, the fear filled and endless struggles in the past is forgotten. In it’s place, is an unbridled happiness, even a return to childhood delights is experienced.
It’s a lovely time, a free time. People are often softer with each other, nicer, and laugh more. Pity is, that it doesn’t last. But this honeymoon state can last a year or even longer sometimes.
There are benefits for us too. We can learn how to re-appreciate the simple pleasures in life, as do they.
Fresh air, sunshine, sitting quietly, watching children play, eyes meeting, are all rediscovered in the honeymoon stage, and we can take note of these small unnoticed moments for ourselves.
Sleep ins and snoozes, a bit of something novel and new. For people with Alzheimer’s, everything can seem new and novel. We might have to try a little harder to see new, in old. It’s a great discipline.
Alzheimer’s offers for carer’s, the often unexpected territory of warm closeness, and forgiveness too for that matter.
Finally, and here I stand in my own belief, … I believe with all my heart, that Feeling good on purpose is the real preventive for Alzheimer’s. It stops the need to wipe out the brain’s ability to remember. Feeling good has an almost magical healing quality for the past.
So there you are, get happy, and I mean a true, sincere, glowingly warm happy, and you are doing wonderfully powerful things for your poor old brain. Maybe you could live forever … How would that be?
About the Author: Paul Smetana writes about the Simple Secrets of Being Touched by Life, How you can finally take control of your destiny, and the simple reason most people fail. In Aged Care for 30 years, he has discovered How our most successful Elders Attained “A Life worth Living”. One Brimming with vitality and Joy. And how easily you can too, without waiting any longer. For Instant Access to more Articles, e-books, and Resources on Living your best Life, Visit www.betouchedbylife.com
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