Alzheimer's at War
- Dr. Nati Blum
- Published on Ynet
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The suffering patients and the caregivers' dilemma of life
Alzheimer's and dementia patients may not realize there is a war – but they feel the tension with full force. Each alarm disrupts their routine and can worsen existing symptoms. Caregivers are faced with a terrible choice: stay by the patient's side or run to the shelter. Mary Ann de Vera, 32, paid the heaviest price. CEO of EMDA on the population that falls between the chairs in an emergency
The death of a foreign caregiver
Just this week we were deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mary Ann de Vera, 32 years old in Tel Aviv, a dedicated foreign caregiver who cared for a nursing home resident in an old apartment building whose residents evacuated to a nearby public shelter when an alarm went off. She and her patient did not make it to the shelter, and she was killed by a direct hit.
This is a very challenging time for patients and nursing home residents, and no less so for foreign caregivers. It seems that no one is aware that they are sometimes forced to choose between staying with the patient – who is not always willing to go to a shelter in a nearby building or public structure – and evacuating themselves alone, due to the patient's refusal or lack of time to move them.
Disruption of routine – a trigger for exacerbation
Dementia and Alzheimer's patients rely heavily on a regular and predictable routine. Sudden alarms, running to a protected space, background news, and changes in family members' functioning – all of these create sensory and emotional overload. In many cases, an increase in confusion, restlessness, night wandering, and anxiety outbursts is observed. Some patients have difficulty understanding the security reality, but experience the environmental tension well.
The difficulty is compounded when the person is unable to remember the explanation given to them just minutes earlier. Family members report having to explain over and over again why an alarm is sounding, why everyone is in a hurry, and sometimes why family members are absent due to reserve duty. The inability to process information continuously increases the feeling of loss of control.
Nursing caregivers on a double front
Caregivers – both family members who have become caregivers and foreign caregivers – face a double challenge: maintaining personal safety and dealing with complex care in emergency conditions. In the event of an alarm, it is necessary to transport an elderly person with mobility limitations to a protected space in a short time. In some cases, this is almost impossible without additional assistance.
Geriatricians recommend several principles for coping: maintaining a regular routine as much as possible, reducing exposure to the news, and using short, simple explanations that are repeated in a calm tone. It is important to avoid logical confrontations: there is no point in trying to "prove" reality, but rather to focus on calming down and feeling safe.
The role of the state and the community
You are not alone!
The EMDA Association serves as an address for families with dementia and Alzheimer's, and stands by more than 160,000 families in Israel who are dealing with these diseases. The association offers a variety of counseling, Support Groups Nationwide and via Zoom, volunteer visits, and customized information services. Families are invited to contact the Information and Counseling Center by phone. 8889* For initial assistance and guidance free of charge.
Dr. Nati Blum is CEO EMDA Association and holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Sacramento. Her doctoral dissertation focused on face-to-face group therapy versus virtual group therapy. In her role at EMDA, she harnesses her professional and managerial experience to lead efforts to improve the quality of life of those dealing with dementia, promote their rights, and raise public awareness of the phenomenon in Israel.