The Unfortunate Reality of Alzheimer's

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    Many people have an unrealistic understanding of  Alzheimer's as being a "forgetfulness" disease or even that it's "a normal part of the aging process." However, it is much more than that. After viewing @volleybrad 's video on Youtube, I and 1,233,811 other viewers saw the gravity of Alzheimer's disease authentically. Unlike other illnesses, this fatal disease only worsens with time. It is progressive and degenerative and hard for anyone to witness. The unfairness of this disease only increases with the knowledge that there is no cure and only little treatment of this illness. The caregiver oftentimes suffers just as much, if not more, than the patient themselves.  

    The Alzheimer's Association defines this condition as the most common subtype of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and even behavior. This leads to the inevitable inability to do simple ADLs. Being a caregiver for someone with this disease comes with a great deal of responsibility. The effects of this condition can spill over onto anyone close to the patient in ways both mentally and physically. When someone with Alzheimer's begins losing their memories, they begin to lose parts of themselves. A mother can forget her own children and a friend can become unrecognizable. 

    In the Youtube video, you can see a man in the moderate stages of Alzheimer's attempting to occupy his time. He is doing unnecessary chores around his home while needing constant supervision from his caregiver. The caregiver in this reality is his son. You can see by watching the video that his son has an abundance of patience for his father and cares for him deeply. This stage of Alzheimer's is considered moderate because it is a major turning point within this disease progression. The reason being is that certain aspects such as safety knowledge and judgment are no longer being practiced by the father. This is seen when he reaches into the cat litter box. He also is forgetting important information like his pet's name and rinsing his hands after washing them. 

    I chose this video because I believe that it is crucial for others to understand the harsh truth of those who are affected and/or know someone affected with Alzheimer's disease.  Once someone is unable to do ADLs, it is nearly impossible for them to do anything on their own. Feeding, grooming, and toileting are no longer independent tasks for someone in the late stages of Alzheimer's. Since there is little treatment, oftentimes caregivers have to do everything possible to keep their loved ones comfortable and taken care of. 

Travis, Courtney. Alzheimer's Progression. 2021. https://www.canva.com/design/DAEllcNxdqI/xoLobmO4Lx2cXeI4VqAYGw/edit?layoutQuery=timeline


Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.). What is Alzheimer's? Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers.

Lancaster, S., (2021, July). OT537: Neurological Aspects of Occupational Performance, Lecture Cognitive Impairment [Powerpoint Slide]. Retrieved from https://blackboard.uthsc.edu/ultra/courses/_18020_1/cl/outline

Volleybrad. (2015, July 5). My father's behavior in the moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdzKXhyv_tg.


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