Remember when we first hug by our parents? Of course You can't. I'll pay for those who can still remember that sweetest memory. (*_*)
4 weeks duration in psychogeriatric clinic teach me a lot of how can I take over my parents role of taking care me until what I am now to take care of them when they reach their golden years. Prof. Ros always remind us of increase our frequency of calling our parents, as we do not know when they are feeling lonely or in much better word 'missing' you......
They will never tell you to come home or call them regularly or state that "you must call me every 2 hours" for example.
I would like to share some of the knowledge about psychogeriatric problem. In a simplify version of course.
Most of the patients came to the clinic, diagnosed with dementia either Dementia of Alzheimer-Type or Vascular Dementia which is most likely caused by stroke. Post-stroke event. The prognosis is better is Vascular Dementia compared to Alzheimer in etiology.
Today I went to the Alzheimer Care Centre in Taman Seputeh. We actually went there for pre-visit for our community project. Then, one of the caregiver there asked one question of epidemiology, among all races in Malaysia, why there so many chinese people get Dementia?
Then, we came to the conclusion that chinese people do take it serioulsy. It is a good sign though. When I reflect back, yea, Malay people they tend to normalize everything. 'Normalizing symptoms'. Oh, tu nyanyuk je tu, biaselah.
Quite sad to hear that. They will just only seek for treatment when the conditions deteriorating. As in Dementia, there is a term called BPSD (Behavioral Physiological Symptoms of Dementia), why I'm saying that. When the patient presented with these symptoms, they will be agitated, restless, wandering around and even accompanied with psychotic symptoms such as delusion and hallucination. Where the 'disorganized behaviour' comes around and started to disturb the family members.
What actually can we conclude from that?.....Public education about this disease is very poor and seems that they perceive this thing as normal to aging, which is actually not. For instance, when the patients first presented with apathy emotion (dulled emotion) where they become so quiet and undisturb as compared to agitated patient.
Once they reach this kind of disease, they will turn out to a child-like behavior. If we can just think rationally, why can't we take care of them same as they bring us up until what we are now. Bath, feed, entertain and love them. What they need are just a hug from us...not money to repay them back.....
It is not easy to do and I do realize it. But, I do think that we all should think that now, not waiting until we reach that time. Do not wait a 'suitable time' to call them, or to go back home.
Maybe, right now, when you are reading this entry, they are missing you a lot. Take a phone and call or skype them so that thay can see us.
That's all for now. Hee.....