To see someone suffering with almost severe Alzheimers one can but wonder why they are even alive. If God really cared why
would he make them exist in such a poor mental state. The truth is this
disease kills very slowly. The major victims however are theose taking care of the afflicted. To tend to their loved one's safety they must sacrifice nearly all of their lives. Their days are not their own anymore. Family times around the supper table are almost nonexistent. Sure they could place the loved elderlyn person in a rest home. It would take a lot of pressure from them. But that guilt feeling prevents that.
Alzheimers does not eat at the body like cancer. It starts at the cenrtal nervous system and gradually works its way through the body. Memory begins to go and the rational part of the person can not accept it. Things are not supposed to happen this way. His thoughts are not meant to be scrambled. People look at her in a funny way. Agitation becomes frustration at those closest to them. They don't want to behave this way but can't help it.
Then much to the demise of the
families the condition worsens. Their control over the family member's loss of control deepens the tension. The point finally comes when the only positive step is a nursing home specializing in treatment of Alzheimers. They are trained to make the final stages of a sufferer's live the most comfortable they can. Observing a person in their last days in anything but pleasant. After seeing that same person in the beginning days of the disease it is remarkable the time length is so long.
Some people diagnosed with Alzheimers may live up to twenty years or more with the ailment before they find final peace. The cause of Alzheimers is not sure. Research is progressing and some medications do slow the process of degeneration on the body. In the meantime those already living with the malady slowly fall into a world where nothing makes sense or even matters anymore.
Hopefully someday man will find a cure for the disease. Maybe someday the families will squeeze out a few hours of solace from the chores of car taker. Let's hope and pray that day does come.