A journal featuring a couple’s journey against Alzheimer’s disease reminds us of the importance of recording moments and memories.

I came across a memoir by a husband documenting his wife’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease- Jack Weaver wrote the book Going…Going…: The Abduction of a Mind chronicles the couple’s journey against Alzheimer’s disease. Jack’s wife Janey battled dementia for fifteen long years. It changed their lives, taking them on a rollercoaster ride of emotions- hope, despair, happiness, grief, laughter, and joy. One significant lesson from this book is the importance of keeping a journal and writing down the daily experiences. Not only does it help the patient record her memories, and it is a way of documenting the journey, the emotions, lessons, and precious moments.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die, causing dementia or loss of memory and thinking skills. Severe symptoms involve the inability to carry out simple daily tasks, forgetting even the basic information, and fading away of memories. As the disease progresses further, patients cannot function independently and would require assistance in movement, communication, and other taking care of one’s self.

Dementia or memory loss is a serious concern as it affects the person’s ability to work, communicate with family and friends, and live a normal life. Although most who suffer from Alzheimer’s are well beyond their adult years, there are cases wherein even younger individuals suffer from the illness. Worse, there is currently no cure for dementia. Doctors and experts are continuously trying to find ways to delay the onset of Dementia. One of the ways to slow the progress of memory loss is to keep a diary or journal.

According to homewatchcaregivers.com,

“One routine for someone with dementia is to keep a daily journal. The journal can help the person with dementia with their daily orientation as well as encourage them to express their feelings in writing.

 When starting the journal, caregivers may need to provide suggestions and guide the person with dementia. For example, they might tell them the day and date and describe the weather. “Write down that it is Tuesday, May 5, 2011. The weather is sunny and warm.”

 Once the routine of journaling is established, our in-home caregiver should tell the person to also share their feelings in the journal. However, there never be any pressure on that person to write anything at all, but simply have the option provided to them with assistance as needed.”

Personal diaries can also help preserve one’s memories and even recall moments, feelings, and experiences from childhood. Personal diaries are not limited to clinical exercises. They also encourage patients to dig deeper into their experiences and emotions than journals managed by clinics and caregivers. In some cases, patients may also include doodles, drawings, and even attached small items to the pages like food stamps, tickets, receipts, and photos that one day will remind them of a specific encounter- a movie date, a significant, an anniversary dinner, or simply, a happy moment.

Maintaining a journal is not limited to Alzheimer’s patients. Family caregivers, significant others, or even children can keep a journal a regularly present it to the patient. That is what Jack Weaver did during their journey with Alzheimer’s. The battle reached a decade, and a half speaks a lot about their determination to preserve Janey’s health and memory and put Alzheimer’s at bay.

Keeping a journal or a diary should be accompanied by physical exercise. Moderate-intensity exercise, muscle-building exercise, and balance and coordination exercises are some of the recommended physical activities to help slow the progress of Alzheimer’s. Diet is also a significant factor in preventing and slowing down Alzheimer’s (cut down on sugar, stock up on fruits and vegetables, manage weight). Getting enough sleep and social engagements are strongly recommended as well. Interacting with friends and family members can significantly help the patient. Last but not least, mental stimulations can significantly improve a patient’s memory and thinking skills. Some of the activities under this strategy include learning something new, continuously raising the bar for an existing activity, practicing memorization techniques, and regularly playing strategy and memory games.