Accepting a New Normal

• Published in: Narrative inquiry in bioethics Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 121 - 124
• Main Authors: Thew, Janice M, Driver, C. Noelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Johns Hopkins University Press 2020
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Anger; Behavior; Bioethics; Caregivers; Community support; Decision making; Frustration; Neurodegenerative diseases
• ISSN: 2157-1732; 2157-1740; 2157-1740
• DOI: 10.1353/nib.2020.0040

The second phase is when the realization sets in that as the patient's life is permanently changing, and the caregiver's life is also, by no choice or control of either of them. [...]the full transition takes place, whereby the patient is adequately and safely cared for, and the caregiver's new role is established and accepted in their own mind, the patient is vulnerable to responses of frustration by the caregiver. Community support, therapy groups, or social workers should be available, accessible, and affordable to all caregivers and families of patients with Alzheimer Disease. Fortunately for me, frustration, fear, and anger were transformed into love and acceptance. Since my mother's passing from Alzheimer Disease, I have witnessed many friends traveling the same road with a parent. With education leading to understanding, and support from siblings, other family members, friends, and community social services at large, perhaps these caregivers may arrive at peace with the circumstances sooner and for the betterment of themselves and their loved ones stricken with Alzheimer Disease.