Receiving an Alzheimer's diagnosis for a loved one is never easy. How to deal with gradual forgetting? How to make him accept the presence of a caregiver? How to hold back tears when not being recognized? All these questions are common dilemmas in the lives of those who live with someone with Alzheimer's.
And these questions all appear, of course, in art. In the movie “My Father” (2020), veteran Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for the role, plays an elderly man who is confused by the development of Alzheimer's, while he gets into a fight with his daughter for her autonomy.
It's a film that anyone who has been close to someone with Alzheimer's will identify with, and it's also good for those who are about to start dealing with someone experiencing the disease.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that over time destroys memory and other essential mental functions. It is a health problem in which brain cells and their connections degenerate and die.
The main symptoms are memory loss (short-term, early in the illness) and mental confusion of all kinds. There is still no cure discovered for the problem, but there are medicines that increase the quality and life expectancy of the patient.
Now that you know what this health problem is, check out below what we can learn from the movie “My Dad” about Alzheimer's. WARNING: There are spoilers about the film in this article.
Be patient
Patience is an essential prerequisite for anyone dealing with an Alzheimer's patient. Explaining the same thing over and over, forgiving the little lapses of the mind, seeing the person unlearn basic functions…
All of this can be very difficult and exhaust the patience of even the most patient of patients, but if you want to have a good relationship with the person who suffers from this disease, listening to them, respecting them and being kind and sensitive to them is fundamental. Remember, she often trusts you to understand the basics of the basics.
help with memory
Repeating the same thing a thousand times can be frustrating, but it's quite important to keep the Alzheimer's patient's mind active and working. Help him organize and remember from the simplest things, like where he left a watch, to more complex situations, like his childhood.
The more stimuli, the more active the patient will be and the more peacefully he will deal with his illness, as far as possible.
Gradual changes can work
Taking the patient away from the television, for example, when there are difficulties in separating reality from what happens in programming, or inserting a caregiver into the routine can be abrupt changes. Remember: you are seeing the deterioration of the patient's condition, but he is not, because he barely understands what is going on.
So making gradual changes can be more interesting than a sudden change, like introducing the caregiver as a friend, someone who can be good to talk to, but gradually make that presence there essential.
my house or your house
It is common for Alzheimer's patients to get into endless battles about where they are living, which is shown a lot in the movie “My Father”. The way in which the person responsible for the patient will deal with this is decisive.
If there is conflict and disagreement all the time, it will only wear out and stress someone who is already mentally confused. If, however, the dialogue is one of understanding and even acceptance of the absurdity that the patient says, things tend to flow better. Understand: it's a health problem, it's not about convincing the patient anymore.
prepare the heart
It is shocking, in the film, the reaction of the old man's daughter when he shows not to recognize her. Sooner or later, this is likely to happen to people responsible for Alzheimer's patients.
Gradually, the memory will deteriorate, so it is important that you prepare for this moment. It will probably hurt anyway, but don't be offended or take it the wrong way, because the patient needs love and affection, not even more demands than those he already has with himself.
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Through art, we can reflect on many aspects of life and society, including a disease that affects millions of people annually. Whether you have lived with someone with Alzheimer's who has passed away or is entering this "universe", watching this movie that "dives" into the patient's head is essential.
