Читать книгу The Alzheimer's Epidemic - Danton O'Day - Страница 18

As the disease progresses, the quality of life of the Alzheimer’s sufferer will diminish. However there are aspects that friends and family can take into account to improve the individual’s quality of life. There are things that should be done and things that should not be done. Some of these are summarized in the following graph which gives some indication of factors that can improve the quality of life for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease (Figure 1.5).

Figure 1.5. Things that can improve the quality of life. Data from Banerjee, S. et al, 2010a,b.

Thus it is clear that being allowed to make their own decisions is paramount to the individual with Alzheimer’s disease. Being able to make their own choices can improve their quality of life. Being loved by the ones they care for, or cared about, is also a major element in ensuring a good quality of life. Spirituality, clear communication and respect are also important overall but less so than love and decision making. If we look at the other side of the coin, then we can see issues that diminish the quality of life for the person with Alzheimer’s. Just as the former elements make life better, the following make life worse: treating the individual as a child, emphasizing the disease itself, stopping them from doing things or making them do things. These are summarized in the following graph (Figure 1.6).

Figure 1.6. Things that can decrease the quality of life for the Alzheimer’s disease sufferer. Data from Banerjee, S. et al, 2010a,b.

Treating a grown-up as a child is offensive to anyone. This doesn’t change just because a person has Alzheimer’s. This element is the number one factor that negatively affects quality of life. Emphasizing that the person has a disease also impinges badly on quality of life. As one would expect from the primary and positive importance of choice, stopping the Alzheimer’s sufferer from doing things and denying them choice are negative factors affecting quality of life. Excluding them from joining in with others in day-to-day events or special occasions is also a negative factor. While exclusion apparently is less impactful than treating the person as child, it is still an important element.

Clearly the percentages given in the previous two graphs are somewhat arbitrary because they are based on the personal opinions of a diverse group. But they do serve as a guide. The key thing to remember is that quality of life comes from a package of these elements, not just one or two, or even three. For example, giving the person choice is of little value if that choice isn’t given out of love and respect. The aforementioned issues are also not the only things that affect quality of life. So it is important to think about what different aspects of the individual’s life are impacting the quality of that life and focus on improving those that are supportive while diminishing the negative elements.