Reality: As people age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you’ve recently met. However, Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss. It’s a disease that causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, an individual may forget the name of a longtime friend or what roads to take to return to a home they’ve lived in for decades.

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*Be unable to speak more than a half dozen words
*Need help walking and later be unable to sit up, smile, or hold up your head
*Have trouble controlling your bowels or bladder
*Wander and get lost
*Know familiar faces but have trouble remembering their names
*Have more personality changes
*Have habits like wringing your hands or shredding tissues

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Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.

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* Harriette and Roland have been married for 68 years, and have no children together.

* Claire was once a nurse, on her free time she enjoyed exercising and spending quality time with her family.

*Ann was a kindergarten teacher who loves to dance and sing. She has one son, Curt who means the world to her.

*Allen retired from the U.S Navy, one of his favorite things to do was travel the world and spend time with his wife.

      Reminiscing is a great way for all seniors, especially those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, to recall memories from their distant past. You can reminisce in an informal way through storytelling, questions and answers or triggering the story by starting it yourself and letting your senior loved one finish it in whatever way he or she remembers it. Whether you reminisce in a very casual way or in a more formal way to retain the memories for the future, the effects can be very beneficial for your senior. Often times, elders feel isolated from their identity as they age. Being able to relive and relate their life stories can give them a sense of purpose and self-worth. It can help them relieve boredom and also gain a feeling of companionship with the person that is interested enough in them to listen to their life stories.

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