"Love in the Time of Alzheimer's"
The most powerful weapon in our battle against Alzheimer's disease is love!
You may ask, "What do you mean? How can love be a weapon?" Allow me to explain.
Alzheimer's and other forms of irreversible dementia are progressive and degenerative diseases of the brain that destroy brain cells.
As more and more brain cells die, basic cognitive functions like memory, language, thinking, emotional regulation, and sensory perception become increasingly difficult. Eventually, the damage to the brain makes the tasks of everyday life impossible without the help of a caring companion and a caring community. When we care for someone, we choose to express our love in ways that will meet their needs. We endeavor to help them find comfort, peace, and joy. Alzheimer's is an enemy that will steal their comfort, peace, and joy and replace it with confusion, anxiety, and fear.
The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. None of us loves perfectly and yet, we love anyway. In every gesture and word,
we provide reassurance. In every action, we meet a need. In every way we know to do, we speak peace and point to the
beauty that is in and all around us. That's love. That's how we fight the enemy.
As a friend or family member of someone affected by dementia, you demonstrate your love when you send notes of support
and encouragement. You demonstrate your love when you pray. You demonstrate your love when you call or write to see
how it's going or to ask if there's anything you can do to help. You demonstrate your love when you give financially to
organizations that are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases.
Alzheimer's Orange County had supported Judy and me in many ways: by providing education to help us
understand the challenges presented by Alzheimer's, by offering support groups for family caregivers, by
providing counseling to help navigate the difficult times, and by funding research toward a cure."
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