To gain greater empathy with people like my late father who lived with Alzheimer’s, I try to delve deeper into stressful experiences that may similarly affect people without dementia.
Routine-defying travel is an example. At best, it goes smoothly. Yet, travel requires heightened alert in all things. Like the person with dementia, the brain goes into overdrive trying to keep track of the details. When a detail forgotten panic sets in with Alzheimer’s behaviors.
Repeatedly Searching through Purse—Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s?
Before flying from Cancun to Guadalajara, I bought some snacks. I used the bathroom and then realized I forgot to buy water. I returned to the snack vendor with a 500-peso-note. She asked if I had something smaller. I didn’t.
Somewhere between getting 410 pesos in change and boarding the plane, I could not find my colorful cash-change purse. It was not where I always keep it.
Disbelieving my typical routine of returning something to where I found it, I searched frantically through my purse again. Nope. Not there. While we were instructed to place items under the seat in front of us, I was bothered by the thought. Maybe I searched too hastily. I retrieved my black purse after we were airborne. I searched again; a bit slower. And then I realized, maybe I placed it in my small backpack. Nope. Not there, either. This is not like me. I tried to recollect the steps I took buying the water. Not satisfied, I retrieved my purse and dumped everything in my lap. No colorful change purse there. Then I repeated the same with my backpack.
I stopped searching when I grew aware that the person next to me would likely wonder why that woman next to her was repeatedly searching through her things. Maybe she has Alzheimer’s.
The reality is, everyone is engaged in their own interests, which mostly include a smartphone or tablet.
I gave up.
Then the thought came to me—I may have dropped it in my bag, stored in the overhead bin. When I was able to get it, I searched hastily through it, too. No colorful purse.
My thoughts began focusing on how much cash I lost. I think it was around $300 USD. Then I hoped whoever found it would benefit more than I. So, I let it go.
After landing in Guadalajara, I calmly searched one-last time. I found it in the bag. SIGH. I should know myself better.
This is the same kind of panic that sets in when we lock our keys in our (older-model) car. Or even when my friend lost her keys to her newer-model car. The funny thing was, she couldn’t lock her car. And she could drive (press the button to start). The key had to be somewhere in the car! Five of us scoured every nook and cranny for her keys. Nothing. She’d go to work each day and leave her unlocked car in the parking lot. Days later, she heard a noise while driving. Searching once more, she found them stuck in the track between the seat and the center console.
Alzheimer’s-like symptoms can strike any time. Let us be aware and grow our understanding so that we can help reduce the stigma for those who live with Alzheimer’s, like my late father.
September marks World Alzheimer’s Month. Alzheimer’s Disease International has more information on this year’s theme: Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s.
We must keep our brains healthy.
If Alzheimer’s or other cognitive-impairing diseases enter our lives, we can reduce the decline by stimulating our brains. Our brains crave diversity through different activities. Crossword puzzles are popular, but learning a few words in other languages is even better. Walking is great or other physical activity. Creating art, dancing, learning to play a musical instrument engages the brain in something new. Traveling to a country where you don’t speak the language. Now, the brain will definitely find THAT a challenge!
Until then, here are brain teasers that will test your ability to focus on details and also think laterally.
- Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name?
- Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?
- What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly?
- Billy was born on December 28th, yet his birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?
- In California, you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?
- What was the President’s name in 1975?
- Which is correct to say, “The yolk of the egg are white” or “The yolk of the egg is white”?
- If a farmer has 5 haystacks in one field and 4 haystacks in the other field, how many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in another field?
(Give yourself a chance. Don’t peek at the answers until you’ve tried to answer these eight questions.)
Thank you, Kirk Bresee for helping keep our brains active and pliable.
Scroll down to see the answers below.
- Johnny, of course.
- Mt. Everest; it just wasn’t discovered yet.
- Incorrectly
- Billy lives in the Southern Hemisphere.
- You can’t take pictures with a wooden leg. You need a camera to take pictures.
- Same as is it now – Joe Biden
- Neither. The yolk of the egg is yellow.
- One. If he combines all of his haystacks, they all become one big one.
How did you do?
Most of us will miss one, two, three, or ?
Share this article’s URL with your friends to help them keep their brains limber, too.
