We may have something lurking in our living room that we have to walk around or crawl over. Something so big that it can’t be ignored, but yet we try and try just hoping one day it will get up and leave. We even climb in our boat and float down the river of De-Nile thinking that the more distance we can put between ourselves and that unsettling situation that it will simply just disappear. While on our boat we also play the game of “Hear No Alzheimer’s – See No Alzheimer’s – Speak No Alzheimer’s – consequently NO ALZHEIMER’S!”
Facts do not cease to exist simply because we choose to ignore them, so the first order of business is to give our elephant a name – and that name is Alzheimer’s disease.
By giving it a name, it will enable acknowledgement, and acceptance which will allow the process of understanding and education to begin. We need to face our fears in order to better understand our options. We also need to start learning and stop trying to make sense out of the senselessness that is Alzheimer’s.
Yes, it is scary because we will be facing and dealing with situations that we have never come across before. It will take courage and patience, but as John Wayne once said – “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” We have to “saddle up” and face our fears in order to understand our options.
This is also where knowledge enters the picture. Knowledge is power – it can increase understanding, create interest, sharpen our coping skills and show us an easier, less stressful way to handle difficult situations. How many times have we done things the hardest way, not because we wanted to, but because we hadn’t yet learned an easier way to do them?
But, too much knowledge too soon for newcomers to Alzheimer’s can be like trying to wade through quicksand. There is so much information to try to absorb and when we are faced with a challenge we try to learn all we can about it. It is only normal that we should want to explore all of the options.
That is what is different about Alzheimer’s. We can learn everything and a lot of it will be no help at all because each and every Alzheimer’s situation, solution and in fact each person walking with Alzheimer’s will be different. They will react to solutions differently so that what may work in my situation may not have any type of effect in yours.
We also try to hide the elephant in the room from everyone around us because it is only natural to want to spare those close to us from the burden of the elephant. The problem with that is that they have already been aware of the elephant, and even in most cases suspect the situation before we do. When we try to spare those who care, in essence we are telling them that we don’t think they are important enough to walk on this journey with us. This may push our loved ones away when they want to help and comfort us. Once this happens, it will be difficult on both sides to regain that closeness.
Let others in – let others share – let others help. Think about what you would do if the tables were turned. Wouldn’t you want to strengthen and support those you love during a difficult time? Share the care.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nancy_Brain/908555
