Alzheimer patients need our love, says Asha Rai

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><br /><br /><center><img height="150" width="125" src="-00.jpg" alt="-00.jpg" border="0" /></center><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">asha rai</span> on her mother, sarala keval, who is suffering from alzheimer''s disease "with the experience i have gained from nursing my mother, i wish to guide others who are looking after such patients"my life changed seven years ago when it was diagnosed that my mother, sarala keval, was suffering from alzheimer''s disease.the one thing i have learnt these past few years is that a patient suffering from this disease needs love. also, it''s not enough to just love them, you have to reach out to them. but more importantly, we have to remember that they have a right to live with dignity and love. one has to be very sensitive towards them. with the experience i have gained from nursing my mother, i wish to guide others who are looking after such patients. initially, i was withdrawn and didn''t want people to know that my mother was ill as i wanted her to be treated with respect. in the beginning, i tried to learn from people how this disease progressed. what were its effects and after effects. i was lost and confused. that made me realise that sharing one''s problems also helps one emotionally. my mother has been a very independent person. even after my father passed away, she lived all alone in jaipur managing her business. she had arthritis and after the vision in one eye got bad, my sister and i forced her to start living with us. we took turns in taking care of our mother. one day, while travelling she asked me whether it was day or night. this shocked me. i immediately took her to the doctor and after a series of tests, it was diagnosed that she had alzheimer''s disease. i really didn''t know what the disease was and i was in no way prepared for what was to come. to be frank, the first three years were very bad. as her disease progressed, new symptoms appeared and i found it difficult to deal with. she would get up in the middle of the night and get dressed to go out, not realising that it was night. at such moments it was difficult to pacify her. slowly, she started needing help for bathing and feeding, too. later, she lost her speech and also the ability to recognise her near and dear ones. i feel we need active support groups that can give some information and with whom one can share similar problems. i am able to cope because my husband has been very supportive and adjusting. i have often heard people say that as the disease advances, the patient no longer has any comprehension or feelings. but that''s not true. i''m convinced that they still understand and respond to touch. not always but definitely sometimes. when i hug and hold my mother sometimes i get a nod or a beautiful smile and i know at that moment we are connected. i feel very happy and that moment is very special for me. the only advice that i can give to others is ask for help when required to take care of a patient suffering from this disease. it''s not easy to take care of such a patient, but do it as calmly and patiently as you can. try and do your best. share your problems and feelings. and do not neglect the patient for they are helpless. (<span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">as told to purnima goswami sharma</span>) </div> </div>