Leisure & Lifestyles
Touching the Soul
When Henryetta Yexley goes shopping with her daughter, she gets dressed for town – a brightly colored shirt, combed hair and some light make-up. But getting ready is the highlight of a trip she likely won’t remember the next day. A resident in the Reminiscence Neighborhood at Sunrise of Lincoln Park in Chicago, Yexley, 85, has Alzheimer’s disease. "My mom still knows that she’s dressed up and looking nice," says her daughter, Cynthia Aldridge. "I know she knows it… She always had nice clothes and kept herself well groomed. That part of her is still there." Alzheimer’s eventually alters the characteristics that defined the person, including their wit, intelligence and personality. Still, as Cynthia has found out, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s does not have to mark an ending point in a relationship. Understanding what makes someone with Alzheimer’s tick makes all the difference to how a caregiver continues to connect with a loved one. A quality visit might include bringing in a photo album to look at together, or taking your mom or dad back to the house to watch home movies. If they still like to go out, go for a drive. Music, too, is a great way to ease discomfort. Many people with Alzheimer’s still remember old tunes, which may stir pleasurable feelings. Also, know that a loving touch can have more impact than any words. "The goal at Sunrise Senior Living is to create pleasant days to make residents feel comfortable," says Jim Thomson at Sunrise of Lincoln Park. Our Reminiscence Neighborhoods include items such as colorful paintings and perhaps an outdoor garden to help to stimulate the senses and keep each resident engaged. Tapping into a person’s former passions and interests may help meet these goals. For example, one resident would not sit down to eat meals. Discovering that this woman had once been a renowned hostess prompted the caregivers to let her help in the dining room. In another instance a resident wouldn’t go to bed at night. When the team learned that she used to work night shifts, they gave her a clipboard to satisfy her desire to be active at night. Picture boxes near residents’ doors with photographs or mementos of the past not only help residents identify their rooms, but also serve as a starting point for conversations. Similarly, life stations, such as a nursery with dolls, a work table with tools, or an indoor golfing mat may trigger memories of past experiences and bring residents joy. While scientists are discovering more about Alzheimer’s, much is still unknown. The disease initially affects the hippocampus, the area of the brain that controls short-term memory. It is characterized by plaques and tangles in the brain that interfere with cellular communication. There is still no cure, and while medication can slow the disease’s progression, there is no pill for prevention. A fear among children of Alzheimer’s sufferers is that they, too, will develop the disease. No specific gene has been identified for Alzheimer’s that develops after age 65. But research shows that changes to diet and lifestyle can keep the disease at bay. "There’s a strong relationship between the causes of heart disease and increased risk of Alzheimer’s. With a healthy lifestyle however, there’s a greater chance a person won’t get it." says Bill Thies, Ph.D., vice president of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago. Find your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Minimize your own risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Relating to a parent with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be heartbreaking, but there remain many ways to cherish moments of joy.
To learn more about senior living, find a Sunrise community near you.
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