Tel : 01753 880062What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a particularly aggressive form of dementia. Dementia describes a group of symptoms caused by the impact of disease on the brain.While each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way, symptoms typically includes problems with memory, speech and perception.
How can the Alzheimer’s Society help?
The society funds research into the cause and treatment of dementia (and Alzheimer’s disease in particular) and the sympathetic support for those who care for sufferers.
Open letter from Neil Buckley, director of Ever English.
My mother suffered from dementia made worse by a stroke. In 6 months she went from being an active, yoga practising flat owner to an instititutionalised dependent and confused resident of a nursing home.
The tragedy of Alzheimer’s disease was also seen in my father-in-law who progressively lost all ability to recognise, react and communicate. Goodness knows how my mother-in-law coped. A special burden is placed on those who care for their loved ones where the daily needs of washing, dressing, feeding are often done without response let alone the reciprocal spark of love which we so take for granted. The soul, the spirit, the personality seems to have left the shell so hollow and empty.
My father-in-law was transferred to a special unit, and died mercifully in August 1993. The irony for Alzheimer’s sufferers is that the ‘the body’ can survive for many years after ‘the mind’ has gone. My wife was devastated by the savage change in her father and we promised that at some time we would support the Alzheimer’s society in a significant way.
This is now the time.
| Alzheimer’s Society Devon House 58 St Katharine’s Way London E1W 1LB http://www.alzheimers.org.uk Registered Charity No. 296645 |