Recognising and Allowing for Their Problems

• Explanation of the exact nature of problems with words and memories
• Lists and describes problems people with Alzheimer’s disease are likely to have
• Identifies and explains additional factors that may be adding unnecessarily to the problems of Alzheimer’s disease
• Examples from the author’s own accounts with dealing with Alzheimer’s
• Examines problems which carers may come across when dealing with someone with Alzheimer’s

Description:

This chapter identifies the difficulties that Alzheimer’s disease usually causes, as well as highlighting the various problems in approximate order in which they are likely to occur. It also covers the thought that the carers reactions may sometimes contribute to the problems and ways to prevent jumping to conclusions and underestimating what someone with Alzheimer’s is saying or doing.

Topics:

• Lost? Or just becoming harder to find?
• Problems that they are likely to have
  • Lapses of memory
  • Moods
  • Problems finding the right name
  • Repeating themselves
  • Mixing past and present events
  • Fact and fantasy become equally real
  • Telling fantastic stories about themselves
  • Seeing things
  • Echoing what is said to them
  • Speaking in fragments
  • Being not here but somewhere else
  • Increasing physical problems
• Factors that may be adding unnecessarily to the problem
  • Eyesight
  • Hearing
  • Effects of medication
  • Depression
  • Boredom and frustration
• Who is having the problem - them or us?
• Don’t underestimate someone with dementia
  • My mother remembers
  • The patient who was not as dumb as she seemed

Speaker / Author:

Jane Crisp

Dr Jane Crisp has retired recently as a lecturer in communication, media studies and women’s studies at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. She now holds an honorary position there as Adjunct Senior Lecturer. When Jane’s mother, who lived in New Zealand, was diagnosed with dementia Jane found her professional studies of great help in her efforts to keep in touch. Since 1990 Jane has been studying the language of people who are dementing and working out strategies for making sense of the way they speak. She has given talks on this work, and had articles published, both in Australia and overseas. 

Jane has spent much time in France, meeting and exchanging ideas with researchers and carers involved with people who are dementing, and visiting specialised care units. She is married, with a son and a brand new granddaughter.

Professional Reviews: