I's All About Perception

At a neighborhood Walmart store recently, a sluggish looking middle-aged man approached me and asked for money to buy milk and bread for his family. He held out his sullied hand and showed me a few dollars and coins he had collected. Without hesitation, I reached for my purse and then gave him a few dollars. Isn’t that what it’s all about – helping thy neighbor? As I was checking out, however, I noticed the same man putting his milk and bread on an unattended counter and walking away, putting his newfound cash flow in his pockets. I watched him as he cautiously looked around him, and as he turned, his eyes met mine. He hung his head and left the store.

Such stories are numerous, and such events advance the human perception of would-be beggars and affect us in ways that make our emotions teeter from guilt to frustration and from sympathy to exasperation.

Human perception is the psychological definition of what we perceive, which despite what some people believe is not always the same as what truly is. In other words, we tend to perceive things the way we want rather than how they are really happening. Our perceptions are based on our life experiences; therefore, the perceptions of two people of the same situation are unlikely to be the same.

I was thinking of “Perception” and how most of the world looks at individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. I believe there is a kind of social stigma about the disease. The individual tends to “hide” the disease as long as he/she can. The family tends to stay in denial with others, using all kinds of creative cover-ups to mask this devastating brain disorder. And with the growing statistics of Alzheimer’s – 5.5 million people now in the U.S.-- the community and the world at-large still seem hesitant to forcibly confront this flooding river called Alzheimer’s disease.

Albeit the denial, the guilt, the discounting that this disease is going to “flood” most everyone’s lives in the very near future, the individual with Alzheimer’s is losing himself and “unlearning” everything he did in his lifetime. The individual’s memory wanes and their loved ones grapple with what once was and will never be again. And, then comes PERCEPTION. That individual CAN’T function, CAN’T have a quality of life, and CAN’T “enjoy” any activities. And last of all, the best thing for that individual is peace and calm and minimal stimulation….just keep them comfortable.

Perception. No two people perceive the same thing, yet the perception of this individual with Alzheimer’s is NOT what is truly happening. Yes, the disease is terminal. However, the disease can prevail for a very long time. Having the perception that the individual with Alzheimer’s has no quality of life, that he should be kept quiet with no activities and no purposeful stimulation, are a few perceptions society needs to change.
For those of you who watch Donald Trump’s “Apprentice” on television, country music star, John Rich, had this to say about his perception of his teammate, Lil’ Jon, a musician and rapper. "I'm very proud of what he [Lil’ Jon] accomplished. He raised a lot of money for his charity but he also successfully broke down a stereotype about guys like him -Rappers. Guys that dress like him. I know that was very important to him, not everybody that dresses like me or you do these certain things that they are stereotyped with and I know that was huge to Lil Jon and he definitely accomplished that." Lil’ Jon accepted the invitation on the show not only to raise money for his dedicated charity, but also to show viewers that Rappers are not all ignorant or on drugs. Perception.
An LSU service-learning student commented to her instructor that she had a prior mental picture of visiting the clients at Charlie’s Place and she was rather fearful. She thought the environment would be quiet, with the clients more or less “watching the grass” grow. However, she was surprised to learn how much joy and fulfillment the clients at Charlie’s Place exuberated, the atmosphere one of security [from an outside world that judges], and that people with Alzheimer’s disease can actually have enjoyment in their lives. Perception.
The stereotypical perception of Alzheimer’s blocks our awareness that the person with the disease can actually have some fruitful and productive time before the disease, like any other, progresses to end-of-life. Though we have to re-introduce ourselves (often) to the person with Alzheimer’s, this new relationship can be one of incredible gratification and lead to a whole new understanding of the disease, which can then begin to change our own PERCEPTION and that of others.
French painter, Robert Delaunay, once said, ‘Our understanding is correlative to our perception.” Once we wholly understand Alzheimer’s and that the individual with the disease can be a productive member of society, that he can have a quality of life, and once we are open and honest about the disease itself, then we can begin to change perceptions about Alzheimer’s disease, and the people diagnosed, in our community and in our world.
Dana Territo
Director of Services

Using a Calendar with Alzheimer's Patients

A calendar is an excellent prompt to use with the Alzheimer’s patient. The calendar can help that person focus on an object they can touch and see that can help them register their days and help them focus as that ability to focus becomes more difficult. It can be very comforting to the patient.

A calendar reminds the patient of each day’s activities and helps them register what happened yesterday or in previous weeks. Using small store bought stickers or making simple drawings on important days helps remind the patient of family birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, etc.

A simple wall calendar or planner type calendar kept in the same place daily is recommended. It is important that the calendar be age appropriate and as plain as possible, Busy, colorful pictures or scenes are very distracting.

The calendar can prompt discussion with the caregiver and, sometimes, the patient may want to doodle or write on the calendar if he/she is capable.
By Marcia L. Kirk
Respite Center Coordinator Assistant

Skydiving and Alzheimer's

This past weekend I joined my daughter in Texas and we spent the Mother’s Day weekend skydiving for the first time. Two thoughts became very clear to me. One, there is nothing like jumping out of an airplane and the feeling of falling. And two, as soon as I exited the plane, it hit me; I’m pretty much on my own. If I need something, nobody can be there to help me. I’m just falling through the air.
I’m lucky in that nobody in my family has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. I came to Alzheimer’s Services as a development associate just a little over a month ago. I replaced Tammi deGeneres. Each week, a different employee writes the blog and this week is my turn. Part of my job is the Walk/Run to Remember which takes place on October 15 this year. There is a link on the website to learn more about this event or start a team. Feel free to call me if you have questions. The other part of my job is public relations. I am thoroughly enjoying my employment at Alzheimer’s.
Some days I get to go over to Charlie’s Place to take photos and enjoy the activities. This is one of the perks of my position. Charlie’s Place is wonderful, but to anyone who has seen it, I don’t have to tell you that. You have seen it for yourselves. The first time I visited Charlie’s Place I was not expecting it to be so warm, inviting and happy. We host here at the office a “Cause to Remember” twice a month. We invite folks to come by, have lunch and spend about an hour learning more about us and you get to tour Charlie’s Place. I would highly recommend coming and seeing for yourself. Debbie Little, Development Director is in charge of that. She does an excellent job! Along with this informational event we do several others, like our support groups, Lunch-N-Learns, and various other educational programs. Dana, Julie and Rashida present those well.
Now back to skydiving and that feeling of being in a serious situation without a net or any back-up, Alzheimer’s caregivers don’t have to feel that way. We are here to support you and with our varied programs, I think there is something to help everyone cope with this disease. Give us a call!