Alzheimer’s Awareness

Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2018/11 - November

Chances are someone in your circle of family/friends has Alzheimer’s. While seniors enjoy extended life expectancy, Alzheimer’s numbers rise alongside. For those who live past 65, one in five women and one in 10 men will develop it. Every five years thereafter the likelihood of contracting it doubles. It ranks sixth in cause of death.

Staggering statistics. While Alzheimer’s can occur earlier in life, it’s seniors who are most vulnerable and have the greatest concern about its symptoms and cause. If you forget where you left your car keys, you don’t have Alzheimer’s. If you forget you own a car, you probably do have it or some form of dementia caused by vascular issues (stroke, heart attack, blocked blood vessels). 

Mission’s Dr. Mike Parmer, D.O., FAAHPM, who’s practiced over three decades, the last 11 of which were exclusively in Hospice, is palliative medical board-certified in both Hospice/palliative medicine as well as Family Practice.

He says, “Alzheimer’s is a disease that eats away at the brain. Think of Swiss cheese. Tiny holes develop in the present memory. Over time there are more holes than cheese. Memories are forever lost. This deterioration typically builds over three to 11 years, depending upon the degree/progression.”

Is there a cure? Dr. Parmer says not yet. There is medication, which is effective for about two years. Thereafter, there is no sign of improvement. Are there preventative measures? While we don’t have definitive guidelines, the usual practices can’t hurt and might help: eat well; exercise often; use your brain daily by reading, playing games and activities that involve problem solving, etc.

If you have a loved one presenting Alzheimer’s symptoms (severe loss of memory, wandering at night, confusion with meds, a gradual and progressive delirium, etc.), it’s time (maybe past time) to get him/her to the doctor for a series of tests, which can help diagnose the problem.

If the diagnosis is dementia and the patient’s health and safety are at risk, it’s time to consider a health care facility. One of the finest in the region is Eckerd Living Center.

Administrator Ava Emory advises, “If the caregiver can’t lift a fallen patient or carry him/her to the shower; if there’s danger of a stove being left on; if the patient wanders and gets lost, the caregiver suffers tremendously. He/she is under constant physical and emotional stress which can affect not only his or her quality time with the loved one, but his or her own health.”

Eckerd has a licensed staff in geriatric and dementia care which studies each patient’s history to provide activities that relate to their life work, hobbies, spiritual needs, etc. Detailed care plans are constantly reviewed and updated.

“When a patient comes to Eckerd, they generally thrive,” Emory says. “Everything we do contributes to extending life.”

For more information about Alzheimer’s Awareness and Mission’s role in helping you make timely, important choices, contact Ava Emory at [email protected], (828) 526-1302; and Mike Parmer [email protected], (828) 274-9567 extension 40128.