AMMAN — Anoud Hariri, who is tending to her
65-year-old bed-ridden Alzheimer-inflicted mother, recommended to other
caregivers to make use of routine schedules to help refocus the patients under
their care.
اضافة اعلان
“My routine includes switching off all the lights in
the morning so that my mother would know its day time,” said Hariri, a
part-time pre-school teacher.
“I set a specific meal time and activity time every
day, and I also make sure that all the lights are switched off for nap or sleep
time, otherwise, she would still think it is day time,” she told
Jordan News.
Hariri spoke days after the World Alzheimer’s Day,
which is observed on September 21, when Jordan’s
Al Oun for Alzheimer’s Patients Care Association (AACA) held an event to raise awareness about the
condition, under the theme “Educate, share, release, and support”.
The event brought together a number of professional
speakers who displayed, within the topics of their specializations, information
about Alzheimer’s disease, shared their own experiences, stories, as well as
tips and information about how to deal with a patient suffering from Alzheimer.
AACA President
Hamza Nouri said “our aim is to raise
awareness, offer support for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and improve the
quality of life for people living with dementia.”
Researches indicate that around 31,000 people are
living with dementia in Jordan, a number expected to rise to 50,000 by 2050, he
noted.
“In Jordan, there is a need to create a national
registry that can quantify Alzheimer’s disease cases,” he told
Jordan News.
Director of Madaba Health Directorate Jameel
Al-Qatatsheh said he hoped that one day “we will see residential care
facilities and institutions established for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
patients in Jordan.”
Psychologist Sarah Al-Mehdawi said: “psychological
symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s include sleep difficulties and
aggression.”
Dentist Alaa Mansour emphasized the importance of
dental health especially at the onset stages of the disease and the up keeping
of dental hygiene check-ups.
Mansour addressed
caregivers with tips on how to encourage Alzhiemer’s patients to continue their
dental and oral hygiene routine by suggesting connecting the dental brushing
with a song or an activity.
Nutritionist and General Health consultant, Mariam
Mokkayad highlighted that one of the most common problems that Alzheimer’s
patients face include dehydration and swallowing.
“In Jordan, there is a need to create a national registry that can quantify Alzheimer’s disease cases,” he told Jordan News.
AACA General Secretary Leen Madanat said that “on
the International Alzheimer’s Day, we are proud of our partnerships with all
those who support our efforts to raise awareness and knowledge about dementia,
and we recognize the need to extend a helping hand to caregivers and their
loved ones.”
Hariri, the
caregiver, gave another piece of advice to those who tend to Alzheimer’s and
dementia patients.
“Be patient, go along with their stories and
narratives, be grateful and make sure to take care of yourself and be
adaptive,” she said
Hariri said her mother was diagnosed with a form of
dementia about 15 years ago. “At first, it was not obvious, then as certain
symptoms started to become more severe, we went for check-ups,” she explained.
“I’m very open and I’d like to talk about my
experience, especially if I can help one percent of the population, I’d be
happy,” she said. “Back then, nobody knew what I was going through, and I did
not know anyone with this disease that could help give some tips.”
“I had to learn everything on my own, and it was
very difficult,” she sighed.
“As a caregiver, it is important to set a time for a
break and go have your time and activities without feeling guilty or worrying,”
she said.
“There is a need for acceptance” of the patient’s
needs, she said. “If the patient wants
to eat multiple times, or stopped liking a food he used to like, you must adapt
and accept the change, and the occurrence that happens.”
Caregivers also have to deal with irrational
behavior, and unpredicted responses from patients towards other people, she
maintained.
“As caregiver, it is important to have a good
support system, allow yourself a break and a time away for self-care, including
visiting a therapist or a life coach” she said, noting that “having a life
coach in your life helps you to ease the burdens of the disease, and live your
life without feeling guilty.”
One of the important actions the AACA had
implemented was creating a support group on
WhatsApp that brought together
caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients to exchange tips, information, recommend
doctors and therapists, and lend support to one another, she said.
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