She would grab whatever she could – a look, a whisper, a moan – to salvage from perishing, to preserve. But time is most unforgiving of fire, and she couldn’t, in the end, save it all. Khaled Hosseini, author, A Thousand Splendid Suns
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. Between 2000 and 2015 deaths from heart disease have decreased 11 percent while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased 123 percent.
For daughters who are losing their mothers to this disease, these are not only numbers…to them, it is their life! They know how to help their mother through upsetting changes and situations. Perhaps you don’t – so here are four tips:
Approach the person calmly from the front using positive statements.
Reassure the person by touching their hand or shoulder.
Don’t argue with the person or try to correct them. Affirm their experience and redirect their attention.
Respond to their emotions rather than to the content of their words.
Alzheimer’s 24/7 Helpline is 800-272-3900.
Affirmation: I care about others.
Coaching question: What can you do to help fight this deadly epidemic? (spread the word, donate, volunteer)
Life after losing a mother 