The story of Yoshikazu and his struggle with Alzheimer's. A disease that is one of several dementia disorders and one that can be the most debilitating. Slowly loosing memories of loved ones, places in the past. Than progressing to basic living not being able to brush your teeth or hair. Wash your hands or dress yourself. Than to the frightening not being able to eat, walk, talk.
This photo essay is an emotional tale of the authors grandfather. In it you can see the struggles that face him on and every day basis and the love and respect that his grandson Kazuyoshi Ehara holds.
The effects that this disease can be a strain but as you can see in this tale they don't give up just care for him as only you can.
I had been a CNA for several years and I can say that dementia was were i wanted to be. Everyday with them is an adventure. From listening to stories of fleeting memories. To a place were they were as a child sitting and playing dolls. You don't fight the disease but make it a new life worth living for them as every day for them is a new day.
I can remember one resident, she had passed away and it devastated me; her name was Dorothy. When i started working at the facility they had told me that she was one of the difficult cases. She was would not get ready for breakfast or bath, rarely ate, and would be combative when you would try and help her. I can remember going into her room and the first item i noticed was a doll. So adorable, she had him wrapped so and cradled in her rocking chair. I just took the time to speak with her in that i found out that too her that was her baby alive and breathing.
The following days I observed the other care managers as they tried to care for Dorothy. One factor that came in was the baby, her son. At one point she was so worried about who is watching him, she didn't want strangers taking care of her son. What if they take him, hurt him, or lose him. An emotion that is very natural to any parent. The problem was this emotion was being ignored which than would account for her behavior.
The following week I had Dorothy on my shift. I thought about this and chose to do things different. I started by changing her daily routine a bit. Coming in with a nice cup of coffee and two pieces of toast. Than I asked her how her son was and if he was awake yet. If he was if she would like me to watch him while she bathed for the day. Some days she would just have me put on a children s show for him.
his made a huge difference. You see take time, they are still in there,just perceived in a different way. My Dorothy passed away a year after I had met her, but in that time she became an important part in my life. To this day when i think of her I get tears in my eyes than a smile thinking about her and her baby.
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