I recently read the book, Still Alice by Lisa Genova and was greatly impacted by the way it was written. We follow the main character, Alice Howland, a fifty-year-old Harvard Professor who teaches about the cognitive functions of the brain. She travels and gives speeches. She is married and has three grown children when the book begins. We follow Alice’s daily cognitive decline in month-to-month chapters from September 2003 to September 2005.
This novel is brilliantly written. It gives us a window into Alice’s struggle to remain in control of her cognitive strengths from putting reminders in her blackberry to the repeating cognitive question Alice asks verbatim at a convention. This book really struck a vein with me as my father had Alzheimer’s. In hindsight, he probably had it for a while before he was diagnosed. Just as in this novel, there were signs we did not see, and we were in denial. When dad went to the grocery store at 3am and had a fall, we knew it was serious.
In one of my courses, we observed a video that explained what a typical thinking path of a person with Alzheimer’s might look like. We all have moments where we go into a room and forget what we went in there for. The video below depicts a scenario of what goes on in the thought process of putting something in working memory.
So far on the day I am writing this post, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, improving the quality of life is always a good thing. A part of the reason that I returned to school at an older age and began blogging is to use my cognitive abilities before they decline. I have no idea if my genetic history will put me on the same path. My dad passed away from Alzheimer’s and my mom is currently struggling with dementia. I have no idea if I am next, and I do not want to waste any time. Below is a video of people who have been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.
References:
Genova, L. (2007). Still Alice. Gallery Books
PBS News Hour (2017, June 1). It seems to be particularly difficult for some of us with Alzheimer’s [Video]. You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLzO1zVvgIQ
Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care (2009, October 20). Difference between forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s [Video]. You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJk02XI_sRA&t=333s
Vela Patria 