FURTHERMORE
By Gerry Moran
As I get older I find myself becoming more, and more, forgetful. Not uncommon for folks of my vintage but I’d be telling a lie if I didn’t say I’m concerned as my brother John had Alzheimers for several years before he passed away last May.
And so I read with interest, great interest, the following on Ger Cody’s Facebook page: Anecdote From History…
At the dawn of 20th Century, a woman named Auguste Deter lived in Frankfurt, Germany. She was not quite 50 when she began to sense something happening to her mind. At first, her husband noticed small signs; confusion over daily tasks, forgetting where things were placed, difficulty following simple conversations. But the condition worsened until, one day, when asked her own name, she could only say: “I have lost myself.”
In 1901, Dr Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915) a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist, documented her case and later described the characteristic brain changes associated with the disease. It was the young doctor who studied her case meticulously recording observations and seeking to understand the workings of her failing mind.
When Auguste passed away in 1906, he examined her brain, revealing for the first time amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that would later become hallmark signs of the disease named in his honour, Alzheimer’s.
For more than a century, scientists have searched for treatments that might restore stolen memory. Though she lost herself, Auguste Deter left the world a lasting message: memory is the essence of our humanity and when it fades, everything that defines us risks disappearing with it.
Thank you for that, Ger.
Some Common Signs Of Alzheimer’s
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, relying on memory aides like reminder notes or electronic devices or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
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Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home or at work or remembering the rules of a favourite game. People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates and the passage of time. Sometimes they may forget where they are and how they got there.
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Alzheimer’s sufferers may have trouble following a conversation and may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.
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A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
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People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money. They may pay less attention to grooming and personal hygiene.
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Withdrawal from work or social activities: A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favourite sports team or remembering how to complete a favourite hobby.
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Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, angry, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
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There are about 64,000 people in Ireland suffering from dementia, the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s. There are about 30 new cases a day diagnosed, according Ireland’s Alzheimer’s Society. This figure is expected to increase in the future because we are living longer – and could reach 150,00 by 2045.
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If a loved one starts showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease, it’s time for a doctor’s appointment and a serious talk about the future, because when a loved one has Alzheimer’s the most precious commodity is time.
