Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of Dementia. ” During the course of the disease, proteins build up in the brain to form structures called ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. This leads to the loss of connections between nerve cells, and eventually to the death of nerve cells and loss of brain tissue.” (Society, 2016)
Those with Alzheimer’s also struggle to create important chemicals in their brain, these chemicals help the transmission of messages within the brain, without this, messages are not transmitted as effectively as they should be; this causes the thoughts and memories of those with alzheimer’s to become jumbled. Where do the memories go? Are they lost or are they simply difficult to recall?? Do we ever find them again or is it a case of a los and forgotten moment of time?
Although the most common of dementia’s Alzheimer’s is still in the early stages of testing. Medications have been produced which are found to lengthen the process and keep the mind as healthy as possible for as long as possible but nothing has been found yet, that will cure such an illness. As a society we lack the knowledge as to how many people really suffer through such a disease and the strain it is on not only the family, friends and carers with whom are extraordinary for their work and constant helping. But we must look further into how the actual person feels. DO they know they are losing their memory, do they feel like they have forget something or has it simply been swiped from their whole knowledge. Do they know how they are existing on this world, or are they unaware that what they used to do as a young boy or girl they are no longer doing and in fact they may simply be sat in bed or in a chair thinking about the only things they can remember, their childhood.
My Granda has Alzheimer’s and this is what spurred me to create a piece about the disease. I want to explore the depth of memories and how such a small memory fro some can be all that someone else is left with. My Granda once said to me after a difficult day of looking after him to not worry, he was still here, he was simply struggling to find his reality. In this moment he didn’t talk of loss, fear nor embarrassment. He spoke as he used to when he used to work, he spoke with honesty, certainty, strength and power. He was my Granda, and for that moment in time I could recognise him myself. Although what he said come seem to others as a chill of time past, to me it was a break, an understanding as if to say I know everything you are doing and I completely understand that it is difficult, its never going to be easy but I appreciate that you are here, I appreciate your help and I want you to always remember that I am here. I may seem lost or not with it at certain parts of my life but who doesn’t? I am not always going to have everything together but just know that I am still in here, I am still your Granda and I still respect you more than you ever know. All that I can ask is that you respect me as well. Of course it is scary but I still think, it simply may be in the wrong order, but at those times I find myself I enjoy them and I engross myself as much as I can.
If this does not settle someone’s mind I’m afraid I am not sure what will.
Society, A. (2016). What is Alzheimer’s disease? – Alzheimer’s Society. [online] Alzheimers.org.uk. Available at: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=100 [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].