Senior Living

Let’s pause for a moment and give thanks to God for our minds. The ability to think, reason, solve problems, and remember what happened to us 50 years ago as well as 5 minutes ago is a most amazing function of our brains.

We can all handle “senior moments” and lack of sharpness that comes with age, but if you or I ever reach a state of chronic dementia, the independence we enjoy will quickly gravitate to dependency – and our daily existence might become a difficult challenge for us and for those who will be our caregivers.

I have great respect for all who work daily in health care with the elderly.

In growing up, I never heard of an illness called Alzheimer’s disease. I only heard of “hardening of the arteries” or “dementia.”

But the Alzheimer’s Association has reported that nearly 13% of adults in the US over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s, and about 44 million worldwide suffer from it.

Actually, Alzheimer’s was first diagnosed more than 100 years ago. In 1907 a German psychiatrist named Alois Alzheimer, lectured about an autopsy of a 51-year-old woman, Auguste D., who died in 1906 after 5 years of a condition that affected her thinking, language and memory with hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and aggression.

In 1910, Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926) coined the term “Alzheimer’s disease” – the term used to this day. The demands placed upon the spouse or the children or the caregiver to meet the needs of those with dementia can be overwhelming, but it can also be a true ministry and a blessing.

I believe that the child of God equipped with the spiritual fruit of gentleness and patience can meet that challenge with strength and courage.

Pray right now for someone you know who is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s and for those who are their caregivers. I am convinced that this is step #1 for dealing with dementia.

Next Week: Is it OK to treat pets like children?

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2.