For several years, I tortured myself psychologically and emotionally. To this day I look back and ask myself, Why?
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
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| Saint Genesius |
Alzheimer's disease (AD) eventually robs the patient of the ability to do things we take for granted -- like buttoning a button.
Alzheimer's often robs patients of the ability to say "yes", so instead they say what comes easiest -- No.
These new and often bizarre changes brought on by Alzheimer's can feel like torture to an Alzheimer's caregiver. This explains in part why a large fraction of caregivers, up to 40 percent, suffer from depression.
The other day I answered a question by saying, "its the job of Alzheimer's to torture you".
Later on as I thought about those words, I was surprised that I used the word "torture". Surprised until I remembered that I once thought, "Alzheimer's is trying to kill me".
Alzheimer's kills the brain of the person living with Alzheimer's. It will also try and kill the spirit of the Alzheimer's caregiver.
