Alzheimer’s Disease

Articles

“Losing My Grandma to Alzheimer’s Taught Me to Find Joy in the Small Moments”
(Woman’s Day — June 30, 2020)
“I have never experienced a bond with someone like the one I shared with my grandma — my yiayia…She advanced to Stage 7 Alzheimer’s…In the shadow of this horrid disease, I’d look at her — her sweet blue eyes — and I’d still see her in there; the person I’ve known my entire life; my person.
“…. This is my love letter to my yiayia, because it was a perfect, boundless love that she gave me, and it’s a love I’ll have for the rest of my life.  Even from her medical bed, unable to walk, she was there for me, she never forgot me and no matter where my life leads me, how far from home I go, I’ll never forget it.”
More on Alzheimer’s Disease

“Dementia Patient at Center of Spoon-feeding Controversy Dies”
(California Healthline — October 12, 2017)
Nora Harris who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer;s had drafted an advance directive that called for no measures to prolong her life, including artificial nutrition and hydration.  Her husband contended that the document covered oral assisted feeding too and went to court last year to force staff at the facility where she was cared for to stop spoon-feeding her.
A judge denied his request, siding with Oregon’s long-term care ombudsman who said state rules to prevent abuse required the center to offer residents three meals each day and provide help eating, if needed.
More on Food and Fluids

“Public prosecutor investigates euthanasia of woman with dementia”
(Dutch News — September 28, 2017)
It is the first time since the law legalizing euthanasia came into effect in 2002 that there has been a formal criminal probe into a doctor’s actions….
The doctor put a drug designed to make her sleep into her coffee which is against the rules. She also pressed ahead with inserting a drip into the woman’ arm despite her protests and asked her family to hold her down according to the official report on the death.
More on Holland

“Most caregivers favour assisted dying for Alzheimer’s patients: survey”
(Montreal Gazette — September 21, 2017)
A survey found that 91 percent of respondents support the idea of assisted dying for individuals suffering from dementia…72 percent said they were for assisted dying even for Alzheimer’s patients who did not sign a written directive before their illness.

Jean-Francois Lamarche, president of the Alzheimer’s federation, said his group will remain neutral on the question of whether to expand assisted dying to people with dementia.
More on Canada

“How the Medicaid Debate Affects Long-Term Care Insurance Decisions”
(New York Times — July 14, 2017)
Susan Flanders, a retired Episcopal priest who watched her father die slowly while in the throes of Alzheimer’s, believes that the aid-in-dying movement will eventually catch up to the desire of many people to make plans in advance to end their lives, should their minds permanently falter in a severe fashion.
She’s also utterly unafraid to mix money into the conversation…”It’s hundreds of dollars each day that could go towards their grandchildren’s education or care for people who could get well…”. How soon will the federal and state governments come around….

“N.S. man pleads for euthanasia laws to end sister’s suffering”
(Atlantic CTV News — June 25, 2014)
A Bedford, N.S. man would like the province to adopt euthanasia laws so he can end the life of his sister who is living with Alzheimer’s.

“Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough: British scientists pave way for simple pill to cure disease”
(The Independent — October 10, 2013)
Scientists have hailed an historic “turning point” in the search for a medicine that could beat Alzheimer’s disease, after a drug-like compound was used to halt brain cell death in mice for the first time.