THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608010192
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 42 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By Jack Dempsey
LENGTH: 82 lines
It's always difficult to decide whether to bring an elderly family member on a beach vacation when he or she suffers from dementia. This is a set of conditions characterized by a loss of intellectual functions such as thinking, remembering and reasoning. Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent cause.
Ten percent of Americans over 65 are afflicted with it. And nearly half of those over 85 have it. It is progressive, which means symptoms become more severe with time.
Trish Blackmon, public relations and marketing director at the Regional Medical Center in Kitty Hawk, until recently was a statewide consultant on Alzheimer's disease for Britthaven Inc., a nursing home in Nags Head. She said many families reported problems with bringing an afflicted elder with them on a beach vacation. Such elderly people dislike change, she said, and love routines.
Unfortunately, Blackmon said, a beach vacation involves total environmental change and a complete disruption of routines.
At the very best, expect disorientation for elderly folks with Alzheimer's disease if you bring them to the beach.
It's not unusual for an elder to wake up at night to go to the bathroom but find stairs where the bathroom should be. A nasty fall can result. Unaccustomed to sliding glass doors, an elder may walk right into one.
The tea bags aren't where they usually are. Door knobs are different. It's difficult and dangerous to sit down on a strange chair with armrests at an unaccustomed height.
Afflicted elders deteriorate throughout the day, a phenomenon known as sundowning. Increasing fatigue amplifies all the symptoms of dementia and may produce agitation and confrontations in the evening.
In advanced stages of the affliction, elders have left their beach cottages, fully and cheerfully confident that they are walking home. Finding where they have wandered to can be a terrifying experience.
Others have sat on the sun porch too long, unaware of overheating, dehydration and sunburn.
Precautions for our loved ones are a matter of common sense. Take the elder on a tour of the premises to orient him or her to stairs, the bathroom, television, chairs and all the places he or she will frequent.
All stairs should be blocked, especially at night. Press-on decals for sliding glass doors give them visibility. Remove stove knobs if the elder is left alone.
Make a medical bracelet for the elder with scotch tape and a thin sliver of paper. Some pharmacies also sell such items ready-made. Write the elder's name, your name and a local address and phone number on it.
For a permanent bracelet, call the Alzheimer's Association at 1-800-228-8738.
Give the elder something to do. Shucking peas and winding yarn are just some activities they can accomplish - and enjoy. Let them have the television to watch their favorite shows. Don't forget to ask them what THEY want to do.
A midday nap may reduce sundowning. Also, since many elders developed their tastes in music during the era of Mantovani, Bing Crosby and Perry Como, don't overwhelm them with loud music spawned by the current generation.
If the elder needs medical care on the Outer Banks, forewarn local physicians of existing afflictions. Persons with Alzheimer's disease are protective of their space. Physicians can prevent alarm and resistance by explaining in advance and from a distance what they will do - and why.
If a situation becomes unmanageable and you feel you need advice, call Britthaven Nursing Home at 441-3116 and ask for Mary Anne Lindsay or Eunice Smith. Both are experienced with Alzheimer's disease patients. They may be able to suggest a solution.
Planning for next summer should begin now. If there have been confrontations over who gets the TV, call around to find a suitable cottage with two or more cable connections.
Mary Davis of Sun Realty said many beach cottages are handicapped-accessible with features such as ramps instead of stairs. A few also have easy-to-use bathrooms. Find where these places are now - and make reservations early.
If the elder simply was bored this summer, consider bringing a friend with him or her next year.
Finally, confront the gut-wrenching question of whether the elder can continue to profit from a beach vacation. Most communities now offer respite care so that you can get away from home for a much needed vacation without bringing the elder along.
Leaving a loved one back home can make you feel guilty and uncaring.
But sometimes it's the most loving thing to do. MEMO: Jack Dempsey has a doctorate in public health from Johns Hopkins
University and has published two books on health care. by CNB