elderly Archives - Alzheimers Support

Assisted Suicide for those with Alzheimer’s?

I read an article about Assisted Suicide for those with Alzheimer’s and was so disturbed by what I learned. It’s one of those things that you must share to receive some response and reassurance that you aren’t alone in your outrage.

The very title was appalling to me. When I read the article, I was even more disturbed. The saving quality was that the elderly man discussed had only recently received his diagnosis, he had no severe symptoms and was deemed “of sound mind.” But who knows. Who knows what slight variations of thought occur at what time in the progression of dementia or Alzheimer’s?

Dr Peter Saunders, director of Care Not Killing Alliance, said, “This case is hugely alarming and shows that if we were to change the law to allow assisted suicide in this country there would inevitably be further pressure for incremental extension to include dementia patients as is already happening in the Netherlands.”

That is my response as well. There are many kinds of suffering in this life, but not everyone chooses to end their life rather than to find the love and grace gained through challenges. My mom passed away 5 years ago and I would not trade one day with her, nor do I believe she would ever have chosen to end it one day sooner than her passing.

Aside from the suffering someone with dementia might face, there are also evil people in this world who might push someone toward such thoughts. Due to the illness itself, those with dementia are highly suggestible. That’s the nature of the disease, those with Alzheimer’s and dementia suffer cognitive decline. They aren’t able to make their own choices well.

Whether for financial gain or other selfish endeavors, a malicious person could encourage someone with dementia to make decisions for their benefit rather than the person who suffers the illness. We see it everyday in physical and verbal abuse of the elderly as well as theft from those suffering cognitive decline. But allowing the depraved to encourage someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia to commit suicide is outrageous.

My mom forgot who I was as she forgot the word “daughter,” but we were close and shared a multitude of sweet moments as we became best friends. I saw a glimmer in her eye when I entered the room and she waited anxiously for every minute of our time together. I have happy moments and sweet memories in my heart from the day before her passing. I would never have taken all that away from her…or me.

I’d be very interested in your thoughts on this news! Feel free to leave a comment and enter the discussion–

What do you think of Assisted Suicide for those in Cognitive Decline with Alzheimer’s, Dementia or any other brain altering illness?

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Alzheimer’s dementia Smoker?

The person with Alzheimers or Dementia who smokes creates a challenging predicament for their caregiver. Sometimes, in late-stage Alzheimer’s the patient forgets the urge to smoke. But the person with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s may be addicted from many years of heavy smoking and simply unable to quit.

Certainly, the first thing to do is to encourage them to stop smoking. If they are early in the disease process of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, they may be able to attend a stop-smoking program. A good program may be found through a local hospital or contact with their physician. Their personal doctor might also be contacted about use of the “stop-smoking patch,” which is now available without a prescription. He can verify that there would be no reaction to already prescribed medications.

There is a prescription medication called “Chantix” that boasts good results in helping smokers to give up the habit. It does require a prescription and a visit with your physician.

Smoking is dangerous under any circumstance to Physical Health. And the careless use of smoking materials presents a great risk of a destructive fire. Previously, I have warned about people with mid-stage Alzheimer’s forgetting to turn the stove off after baking. I can think of similar hazards caused by someone who smokes carelessly. Any decline in cognitive thinking could certainly produce carelessness with matches or lighter or other smoking materials.

I’ve heard from a few friends who have chosen to allow their loved one to continue with the long term addiction rather than create an incident each time they need a cigarette. If continued smoking is allowed, a designated, supervised “smoke time” might be a good idea. It could be limited to certain time periods, and areas, and always accompanied by the caregiver or another person.

Since smoking would only be done at appointed times, the caregiver could store the smoking paraphernalia safely away when not in use. All smoking sessions should be chaperoned since a cigarette tossed carelessly could easily start a fire.

A new product to the market, receiving good reviews, is the Electronic Cigarette.

Previously I included several reviews from smokers who had quit by using the new Electronic Cigarette to replace an old habit. But I’ve had second thoughts about recommending them since they aren’t approved by the FDA or any medical board that I’m aware of.

My son used the Electronic cigarettes to stop smoking and has been smoke free for more than a year now. So it may be best to ask someone you know.

I’ve heard from some who became addicted to the Electronic cigarette as much as the real thing and some who have had good results and are tobacco free.

If you speak with your family doctor about your desire to stop smoking, he might offer the best advice and remedy.

If you’ve tried and quit! We’d sure like to hear from you!

How did you do it?

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