Alzheimer’s Presentation At Waterford Glen

John Duffy worries about whether his 81-year old mother will be able to continue to care for his 88-year-old father who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease.  

The chance to share his experience with other caregivers in the same situation brought Duffy and about a dozen other guests to an Alzheimer’s Association presentation on the disease held at Waterford Glen Assisted Living, Route 35 and New Bedford Road, Thursday.

 “It’s tough for my mom to cope with my dad’s symptoms,” said Duffy, of Oakhurst. Five years ago, his father, Bill Duffy, began having trouble remembering.  He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, a type of dementia triggering difficulty with memory, thinking and behavior.

About 35 million people worldwide – 5 million in the U.S. – have Alzheimer’s, according to presenter Barbara DeAngelis, Coordinator of Education and Training with the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

DeAngelis explained the three stages of Alzheimer’s. The early stage presents itself with short term memory loss, such as forgetting how to get to the grocery store or forgetting that you took your medication and taking it twice or three times. 

“The middle stage is the worst stage,” said DeAngelis. “This is when the caregiver realizes that their loved one is no longer the same person.  A grieving process begins for the caregiver while the symptoms of Alzheimer’s worsen for the patient.”

The end stage typically lasts from one to two years during which the patient is bedridden, according to DeAngelis.

Some attendees expressed frustration at their loved one’s inability to participate in the tasks that used to bring joy. 

“My wife used to love to paint. Now, I try to get her to pick up the paintbrush and she has no idea. Or she will have a telephone conversation, hang up and forget the call ever happened,” said attendee Robert Foglia, of Sea Girt. “I am perplexed at how to deal with this disease.”

Caregivers need support and should seek respite.  The Alzheimer’s Association offers one-time $1,000 grants to caregivers so they can seek time away and recharge, DeAngelis said.

In addition, support groups can be found in every county of New Jersey, she said.

Locally, support groups meet the last Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at Allaire Center, 1983 Route 34 (732-974-7666), and the second Saturday of every month at 1 p.m. at Sunrise of Wall, 2600 Allaire Road.

 For more information on the programs available through the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www.alz.org/nj.