Respect is so important to every one of us. Whether it is respect by family members, friends, the boss, co-workers, or just the occasional wave from a neighbor, we all like to feel like we are valuable, that we have worth. This is absolutely true of those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
One of the first steps in developing respect is education. Those with Alzheimer's and other dementias have not wished this upon themselves. They did not "catch" it through risky behaviors. They did not check out a menu with an array of illnesses and say, "That is perfect - just what I want for the end of my life."
You may scoff and wonder who would think such nonsense, but many people do. Many people think that diminished cognition is contagious and so they stay away, avoid contact, deny that a loved one or a friend has a problem, most often an incurable one. That is why education is so essential. Instead of running and hiding, good family members and friends reach out with kindness and understanding. By this I do not mean pity. I don't believe anyone enjoys being pitied.
I mean true respect that includes conversations, even when they are confused and make little sense. I mean trips to the store, even when the trip is not simple. I mean treating an individual as the wonderful strong, unique person that is still there, maybe disguised or masked by wretched forgetfulness, but an individual who deserves constant and on-going respect - forever.
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