By Molly LeGrand
I’ve worked in Long Term Care as an
Activities Assistant for ten years. This role has offered a unique
perspective on Alzheimer’s as I typically will meet the person after a
diagnosis. And just like I would with a new friend or colleague, I begin
to get to know them, and I get to know them with Alzheimer’s. I was
fortunate to start my career in the aging services with a mentor
dedicated to the teaching of resident’s rights and the promotion of
quality of life. These concepts have become my foundation as I grow in
the field.
My
motivation to write about Alzheimer’s is personal. This diagnosis can
be an extremely emotional time not only for the person but also their
family and loved ones. I saw writing my blog The Upside of Aging as an opportunity to not only join
in on a well-established conversation but as a possibility to share my
more positive experiences with people living with Alzheimer’s. I don’t
offer medical advice, but I do hope to bring some clarity to an often
misunderstood disease.
As adults, we are always told to
live in the moment. And when we are with a parent or loved one who has
Alzheimer’s this sentiment couldn’t be truer. Caregivers are often
left to focus on the medical and physical care of their loved one. But
they deserve to be able to spend time with their loved one and to get to
know them during this new phase of their lives.
The feedback I’ve received so far is
quite positive, and I think there is a growing collective of families
and advocates who realize the same thing: that their loved one is so
much more than a medical diagnosis; that although painful, this does not
mean that their lives with us have become unimportant, nor does it mean
we won’t have more special moments with them now.
Some of the most extraordinary people I
have met were living with Alzheimer’s. I am continuously humbled by
their kindness, their joy, and their constant affection. I write about
empathy, relaxation, and validation therapy because with understanding,
we will find that our loved ones aren’t “behaving” in a particular way
because they have Alzheimer’s, but rather they are trying to communicate
with us in a new way.
Comprehending a life without memories is
difficult. Memories mean so much to us. They provide us with a sense of
self and stand as a reminder of the journey we have taken in this life.
And the memories we share with the people closest to us become an
intricate piece of our identity. Alzheimer’s may take these memories
away from us, but the inability to remember does not mean that it has to
redefine who we are, nor does it diminish the importance of the many
moments we have collected over the years. I am always hopeful that a
cure will be found, but until that joyous day comes, I will continue to
write and promote the upside to aging.
Visit The Upside to Aging blog
About the Author
Molly LeGrand has cared for older adults living with dementia and
Alzheimer’s for over ten years. She is a recent graduate of the Erickson
School, UMBC where she received her M.A. in the Management of Aging
Services. Her blog Upside to Aging is dedicated to sharing an alternative and more positive side to aging.
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