Alzheimer’s Disease: When Forgetting the Past Is the Problem

By Joy M. Tyler

It’s a sobering and heart-breaking statistic. Every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

In early 2006 Alfred Tyler’s personality and habits were changing. At 83-years old, the once vibrant and fiercely independent father seemed to be disoriented. He occasionally called his daughter Andrea to ask what day of the week it was.

Tyler’s driving had become dangerously erratic, and during her usual after work visits, Tyler’s daughter Andrea noticed the house was becoming oddly cluttered; the once fastidious gardener had let the usual care to his beloved gardens outside become overgrown. Often he would have on the same clothes for several days ago. He also didn’t seem to notice the odd smell of food rotting in the refrigerator.

He tried to cover up the problems saying he had been busy at work, even though he was retired. Or he said that hadn’t paid attention to the time, instead spending his day watching his favorite television shows. Tyler’s other daughters also began to notice the changes and quickly concluded the large house he resided in alone had simply become too much responsibility.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive illness that used to be whispered about among families because it affects a person’s behaviors. It is now so prevalent, one would be hard pressed to find a friend, co-worker or loved one that hasn’t been touched by this fatal brain condition. In the United States alone it has become the sixth-leading cause of death and strikes millions more around the world.

In addition to its debilitating physical effect, the emotional side effects also have a dramatic impact on patients. Confusion, agitation, anger and depression are typical disturbing emotions that accompany the deterioration of the physical body.

“He began missing his doctor’s appointments or would have angry outbursts at nursing staff when he went for his visits. Daddy was always a controlling person but his behaviors where really becoming even more intensified,” another of Tyler’s daughter’s noticed.

As the odd behaviors became more pronounced his family realized that he would need assistance with paying the monthly bills and household chores. The former world traveler who had a particular love for Australia would eventually need to leave his sanctuary of 40 years for a facility that could help provide the significant care Tyler would need after he mistakenly drank a caustic chemical. He had become distracted, and then thought it was a glass of water.

African-Americans are especially prone to the disease due to high rates of high blood pressure, strokes and other cardiovascular ailments that run higher in our community verses other segments of the populations.

Alzheimer’s and its related diseases impacts more than one victim. Not only are those stricken with the disease on a roller coaster ride, so are their loved ones who must struggle with the financial pressures of taking care of an elderly loved one. Care ranges from initially helping very little to seeking help from a facility that must provide 24-hour care.

Every aspect of being responsible for another adult, from medical specialists to legal counsel, needs to be assessed. It costs both valuable time and sharp increases in financial support for additional medical care.

“I was sad for him because he was losing his faculties and independence. He knew there was something wrong and although he wouldn’t ask for help, he always said thank you. I knew he was relieved I was there,” Andrea said. “Our roles of parent and child were becoming reversed, and I was just doing what I knew was right by helping as much as I could, but I was scared too.”

Alzheimer’s commonly affects the elderly, but is erroneously considered part of the aging process. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the risk of developing the illness, which destroys brain cells, does rise as we get older, increasing in percentage after age 65 and doubling every five years thereafter.

From time-to-time we all forget where we put the car keys or can’t recall an important anniversary. However, not being able to remember recent events or significant memories from one’s life indicates that something major has gone awry.

A form of dementia, Alzheimer’s is linked to pre-existing conditions of vascular ailments, Parkinson’s, brain injury, alcoholism, Huntington’s disease and other physical problems that have a moderate to significant interruption to cogitative functions.

Tyler’s family eventually found support from one of the local Alzheimer’s Associations support groups where they were able to talk with a social worker and relatives of other members who were struggling with the same diagnosis.

The group provided guidance on dealing with the emotional roller coaster, Alzheimer’s treatment, navigating legal issues and how to pick a facility that could provide affordable 24-hour care they could trust.

Now settled into a predictable routine and surrounded by a familiar and comfortable environment, Alfred Tyler can concentrate on the little things in life that make him happy instead of the overwhelming everyday tasks that accompany living in a fast paced and complicated world that he left behind. He is happy and his family visits or speaks with him every day, without the worries for his safety or care.

The experience has left his 53 year-old daughter questioning if the disease would affect her down the road as she ages.

While no one can predict with certainty who will eventually develop Alzheimer’s the good news is that there have already been advances in treatment, significant inroads in research and increased funding for clinical studies to find a cure and improve the lives of its victims.

Visit the Alzheimer’s Association website for more information.

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