The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

by Peter V. Rabins

In addition, the person may be unable to make complete sense of what is going on. Even early in the disease, the person may completely forget recent events. If she has no recollection of leaving the stove on or of having an auto accident, she may reasonably insist that she can take care of herself or that she is still a good driver. She is not “denying” the reality of her situation; she cannot remember the mistakes that are evidence of her impairment. If she is not able to assess her own limitations, it may seem to her as if things are being unfairly taken away from her and that her family is “taking over.” By recognizing how she may feel, you may be able to find ways to help her make the necessary changes and still feel that she is in control of her life.