The Imperfect Caregiver

What if it happens to me? I’m scared. I know too much. I’ve seen the deterioration. I’ve heard the rants and the accusations.

“She’s poisoning me. She never gives me any food. I’m a prisoner here.”

When I wake in the middle of the night and get up to pee will an alarm start shrieking, scaring me so I wet my pants? I don’t want someone else to bathe me. I can’t bear the thought of anyone seeing me at an advanced age, withered and naked. I’ll probably fight, kicking and screaming, if they try.

What about all those pills? What will they do to me? Drug interactions can make things much worse. Remember, I know too much. I’ve seen it. I won’t want to take them.

If I want to leave my room and walk the halls because I’m tired of sitting for hours will people try to confine me and say, “She wanders all the time?”

Being a caregiver was the hardest thing I ever did. It was also a gift to be there for those who needed me. Still, I’m afraid. What if I’m next?

As Iwrite this, I am grateful that my children say they will be there for me. I don’t want to go to a care facility where the names and faces change daily. I’m not comfortable around strangers now. I can only imagine how much worse it would be then.

I want to know. I need to know. Is Alzheimer’s and dementia hereditary?

***

According to information posted on the Alzheimer’s Association website, the majority of dementia is not inherited. The article written by, Professor Nick Fox, Honorary Consultant Neurologist at the Institute of Neurology in London says in part:

“Many people fear that Alzheimer’s disease in the family may be passed on to children and grandchildren. In the vast majority (99 per cent) of cases, this is not so. Like many conditions, having Alzheimer’s disease in the family does very slightly increase the chance of people in later generations getting the disease.

The most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age. Because Alzheimer’s disease is so common in people in their late 70s and 80s, having a parent or grandparent with Alzheimer’s disease at this age does not change your risk compared to the rest of the population.”

***

Reading that article and others on the subject, I feel better. But, it also goes on to say,”There are some forms of dementia that are inherited.”  As far as I know, there is no indication any of them run in my family. I’m relieved for now but I know every now and and then I’ll begin to wonder …

The entire article referenced in this post can be read here:  http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=917

For all of us, for all forms of dementia, I pray a cure is found soon.

Click here for Exclusive 20% Discount for Blog Followers

Also available on Amazon

Published by Open Books Press – $15.95 Print $2.99 e-book.