Alzheimers Quotes

“I read of a Buddhist teacher who developed Alzheimer's. He had retired from teaching because his memory was unreliable, but he made one exception for a reunion of his former students. When he walked onto the stage, he forgot everything, even where he was and why. However, he was a skilled Buddhist and he simply began sharing his feelings with the crowd. He said, "I am anxious. I feel stupid. I feel scared and dumb. I am worried that I am wasting everyone's time. I am fearful. I am embarrassing myself." After a few minutes of this, he remembered his talk and proceeded without apology. The students were deeply moved, not only by his wise teachings, but also by how he handled his failings.There is a Buddhist saying, "No resistance, no demons.”

“The literature has only these words of comfort for a patient and her family at this stage. Remember, there is still a living spirit inside this diminished person, the spirit of someone you love.”

“In the heart or every caregiver is a knowing that we are all connected. As I do for you, I do for me.”

“Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn't know possible.”

“I'll say it again - mental illness is a physical illness. You wouldn't consider going up to someone suffering from Alzheimers to yell, "Come on, get with it, you remember where you left your keys?" Let us shout it from the rooftops until everyone gets the message; depression has and nothing to do with having a bad day or being sad, it's a killer if not taken seriously.”

“Embracing a healing presence requires you to just be in the moment together.”

“As your care recipient’s advocate, be involved, don’t accept the status quo, and don’t be afraid to voice your concerns.”

“My caregiver mantra is to remember: the only control you have is over the changes you choose to make.”

“One goal of the mindful caregiver is to find ways to not feel ‘dis-eased’ in the caregiving process.”