Above / When spring begins to blossom, a tiny Forget-Me-Not Garden near our front step has been one of many ways the Penick family remembers my mother who died at age 88 on Aug. 8, 2016, after the slow fade with Alzheimer’s. (PN File Photo 2016)
Forget-me-nots also are reminders that during the month of June, individuals worldwide are asked to take the Purple Pledge. Use your brains to fight Alzheimer’s Disease and Progressive Dementia. Grow awareness with care and loving thoughts about the slow fade that accompanies dementia, then Alzheimer’s.
JOLIET, IL – Women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis. This burden on women is never more apparent than on Mother’s Day, when families come together to celebrate their mothers and grandmothers. The disease places an unbalanced burden on women at work and at home, forcing them to make difficult choices about their careers, their relationships and their futures.
- About 13 million women are either living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone who has it.
- Nearly two-thirds of the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
- More than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are women.
Celebrating Mother’s Day, like other holidays, can be challenging when a mom is living with Alzheimer’s. On these kinds of special occasions, a person with Alzheimer’s may feel a sense of loss because of the changes being experienced as a result of the disease. At the same time, caregivers and other family members may struggle with figuring out how to celebrate Mother’s Day with someone living with dementia. Mother’s Day can remain a meaningful and enjoyable occasion for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Planning will take more thought and each family’s unique circumstances will need to be taken into consideration.
Tips from Alzheimer’s Association to help remember special times with loved ones
Take a person-centered approach. Focus on what is enjoyable for the person with Alzheimer’s, such as looking at family pictures or enjoying the person’s favorite food. If they get overwhelmed in large groups, a small quiet gathering may be preferable.
Keep it simple. Consider a celebration over lunch or brunch at home or where the person is most comfortable. Ask family or friends to bring dishes for a potluck meal or have food delivered by a local restaurant or grocery store.
Join In. If the person with Alzheimer’s lives in a care facility, consider joining in any facility-planned activities.
Don’t overdo it. Sticking to the person’s normal routine will help keep the day from becoming disruptive or confusing. Depending on the person’s stamina, plan time for breaks so the person can rest in a quiet area away from noise and crowds.
Adapt gift-giving. Encourage safe and useful gifts for the person with Alzheimer’s. Diminishing capacity may make some gifts unusable or even dangerous to a person with dementia. If someone asks for gift ideas, suggest items the person with dementia needs or can easily enjoy. Ideas include: an identification bracelet, comfortable clothing, favorite foods and photo albums.
Educate yourself and find support. Call the 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900, to speak with a trained social worker whenever you have questions or concerns. Learn more about Alzheimer’s in the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center at alz.org/care.
For more tips on supporting a family member with Alzheimer’s, join the ALZConnected online community, and find more information about your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter services and programs.
Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association® is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter covers an 87-county area with offices in Chicago, Joliet, Rockford, Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria, Quincy and Carbondale.
Since 1980, the Chapter has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes. The Illinois Chapter serves more than half a million Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease, including more than 220,000 Illinois residents living with the disease. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s®.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s returns on Sept. 15, 2019 / Save the date…
On Sun., Sept. 15, 2019,, the Alzheimer’s Association will host its annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Naperville, with festivities beginning and ending at the Benedetti–Wehrli Stadium on the campus of North Central College. With check-in at 8:30AM and a ceremony at 9:30AM, the 3-mile walk begins at 10AM INFO: www.act.alz.org.
For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www.alz.org/illinois or call our free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
Mother’s Day story with tips submitted by Kaylin Risvold, Senior Manager, Media Relations, for Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter. (PN File Photos)
