Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease affects all aspects of the ill person’s life and those connected to the individual. This article provides a clear picture of the potential impact of the illness on family and personal relationships. It describes the extent to which the interrelationships between family members, friends, and partners may change and the potential challenges they may cause. The article also warns about the probability of related people experiencing strong negative emotions, like grief, guilt, and anger, when the disease takes away the person they have been familiar with. It also provides valuable insights and suggestions about means to mitigate interpersonal damage, like proper communication and delegation of responsibilities. Finally, the article highlights the significance of sexual and intimate relationships between partners during such a hard and tragic period.
Summary
This article helped me realize how difficult it may be for the partner of a person affected by Alzheimer’s to cope with all the relationship changes that occur on every level of family life. First, the disease changes their personal and intimate relationships (Alzheimer Society of Canada [ASC], n.d.). The diseased individual can forget his name, his house, and even his partner (ASC, n.d.; Zvěřová, 2019). Second, the time of the crisis puts to test every family member connected with the diseased individual. Some can unveil hidden strengths they have not been aware of (ASC, n.d.). Others can break under the heavy weight of emotions and responsibilities (ASC, n.d.). Third, I have learned that the partner may notice the difference in the relationships with friends (ASC, n.d.). They may be unwilling to visit the household or maintain any connection, leaving the partner feeling abandoned and betrayed. All of this may leave the partner overwhelmed by mixed emotions of anger, fear, and guilt, so the article highlights the significance of specific ways to improve the dramatic situation.
I consider the article’s advice on encouraging proper communication between everyone affected by the consequences of the illness as the most crucial. Many friends and relatives may act in strange ways for their inadequate knowledge and understanding of the disease (ASC, n.d.; Burgio, 2018). It is also worth mentioning that children are especially vulnerable to misunderstanding when one of their relatives has developed Alzheimer’s. They can blame themselves for the strange behavior of their ill grandmother or feel angry and frustrated (ASC, n.d.). Therefore, the importance of establishing clear and effective communication between friends and family members becomes obvious.
The article concludes that relationships are difficult enough even without the disease, so it is necessary to be prepared when the illness comes. It suggests that intimacy is the most effective tool that can help maintain relationships (ASC, n.d.). While it is often hard to discuss intimacy and sexuality with each other, it seems to be a solid starting point in mitigating the harmful effects of Alzheimer’s on companionship (ASC, n.d.). I agree with the conclusion and believe that it is crucial to try and maintain close intimate relationships as much as possible during such a dramatic period in couples’ lives.
Challenges
With these insights about the challenges and important aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, I know what areas to focus on if faced with this case in caregiving. I would try to ensure proper communication between family members and friends and that everyone was informed about the nature and potential challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. I would also highlight the necessity of supporting each other and staying together in the face of the illness.
Additionally, I would encourage couples to devote time and effort to adapt their intimate relationships to the new environment introduced by the disease. I would try to prepare them mentally for the dramatic effects of the illness, including the loss of memory regarding their partner and identity. There would be not much they could do to prevent the disease, so to be close as ever and for as long as possible would be the only proper attitude towards it.
References
Alzheimer Society of Canada. (n.d.). Understanding how your relationship may change. Alzheimer. Web.
Burgio, L., Allen-Burge, R., Stevens, A., Davis, L., & Marson, D. (2018). Caring for Alzheimer’s Disease Patients: Issues of Verbal Communication and Social Interaction. In The Gerontological Prism: (pp. 231-258). Routledge.
Zvěřová, M. (2019). Clinical Aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease. Clinical Biochemistry, 72(1), 3-6. Web.