‘Only Alzheimer’s Disease’
How I understand what Ginger Jacobs expressed in her touching article (Editorial Pages July 22) “Only Alzheimer’s: I Want to Scream, to Cry, to Mourn . . . “
I was raised by my grandmother who, like her father, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. When the senility and various personality changes began I was bewildered as to the reason. She was evicted from two retirement homes for “behavior difficulties.” She eventually moved into my apartment with me.
The intensity of the various emotional experiences felt by those who care for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is incredible. My grandmother changed from an intelligent school teacher to a shell who recognized no one.
She once loved to work difficult crossword puzzles and play Scrabble. Later she did not recognize the printed word nor could she sign her name.
She once loved to discuss fond and funny memories in both her recent and far away past. Later she failed to remember any important incidents or figures within her lifetime.
Yet with all of these depressing riptides came waves of recollections. As I related weekly family news or sang her favorite songs, on occasion her blue eyes sparkled. I ended my visits with “I love you Grama” and at times she would answer “I love you too, Jen.”
The highs and lows are so very difficult for those who care for Alzheimer’s victims to understand. We need to remain patient and remember the persons they were before Alzheimer’s set in. The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Assn. has been of tremendous help to me and my family.
J. L. HERSCHBEIN
Sherman Oaks