As a son, my mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis was devastating. As a psychologist, it was an opportunity
That sounds hard, and it was. But I don’t regret Mom’s last years. I’m a clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary. Over the years, I’ve counseled many people through the loss of loved ones. When it was my turn to be a caregiver, I experienced the truth of what I told my patients—that no textbook or set of treatment guidelines can fully prepare you for the challenges of shepherding another person through their last years. Ultimately, love and God’s grace are what get you through.
That’s especially true with Alzheimer’s. It erodes different aspects of people’s memories at different speeds and in different sequence. My mom was blessed with a cheerful demeanor until she died, but that’s not everyone’s experience. A warm, kind-hearted person can transform, seemingly overnight, into a cantankerous ball of anger and depression. Cherished memories and shared experiences disappear. How do you have a relationship with someone who doesn’t know who you are?
This story is from the March 2018 edition of Guideposts.
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This story is from the March 2018 edition of Guideposts.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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