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 dementia, then Alzheimer’s. (PN File Photo 2016)
Above / When our original perennial plantings didn’t return in 2017, we planted blue forget-me-nots. The diminutive flowers began to bloom again in late April 2020, greeting us every time we head toward the front door. We’re told forget-me-nots symbolize true love and memories that are true blue.
Updated for Mother’s Day 2020 – 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, especially for 2020 when the pandemic plays a part by preventing visits.
Throughout the current COVID-19 crisis, the Alzheimer’s Association continues to support individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. The Association quickly transitioned to online and virtual platforms to deliver educational programs, support groups and other critical services, including its 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900), to support families in need.
In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association has been engaged in new efforts to respond to the current pandemic, including tips to help caregivers navigate COVID-19 and offering new guidance to help non-clinical staff in nursing homes, assisted living and other community-based facilities provide high-quality dementia care in wake of widespread staff shortages in these settings.
Above / 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.
Tips from Alzheimer’s Association to help remember special times with loved ones… For 2020, let healthcare providers lend a hand…
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. Small quiet gatherings usually are preferable, but may be on hold for now.
Keep it simple. Consider a celebration over lunch or brunch at home or where the person is most comfortable. Drop off for a potluck meal or have food delivered by a local restaurant or grocery store.
Join In / Don’t Overdue. If the person with Alzheimer’s lives in a care facility, consider joining in any facility-planned activities that are permitted.
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, large greeting cards, 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 aims to return in September…
On Sun., Sept. 15, 2019, the Alzheimer’s Association hosted 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. For 2020 info, visit www.act.alz.org.
For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www.alz.org/illinois or call their free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
Mother’s Day story with tips originally submitted in 2019 by Kaylin Risvold, then-Senior Manager, Media Relations, for Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter. (PN File Photos)
One more thing on Mother’s Day 2020…
While I don’t recall riding in that vintage stroller, I do remember my mother’s faithful encouragement every step of the way. God bless memories and all mothers as we collectively aim to do our best with unconditional love during good times and especially during today’s many challenges of uncertainty created by the pandemic. Be safe. Be prudent. Be healthy. —Stephanie Penick, PN Publisher
