Rescuing the Memories of Alzheimer’s Patients

alzheimer's care anchorage“Memories are the architecture of our identity.” - Unknown

As human beings, our unique identities are shaped by so many influences, including the people we know, the places we live, where we visit, our careers, our hobbies, and so much more. The experiences we have with people and in various places are stored in our minds as memories, and our memories form the framework of our wonderful individuality. The heartbreak of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia is that these diseases can rob those afflicted of their ability not only to make new memories but also to store older ones, thus stealing away what makes a person uniquely his or her self.

If you’ve spent any length of time with a loved who has Alzheimer’s, or another type of dementia, you know firsthand how frustrating and tragic the loss of memory can be. As providers of in home Alzheimer's care in Anchorage, AK we care for persons with dementia and witness how experiences that impacted a lifetime can gradually slip away into oblivion. And it’s been widely accepted that once these memories are gone, they’re gone for good.

However, a new study points to a promising alternative: perhaps those memories haven’t been destroyed by the disease after all, and are, in fact, recoverable. Research performed on mice lends strong support to this theory, as those genetically altered to mimic Alzheimer’s appeared to regain memory when brain cells were stimulated with a special blue light.

Although quite a bit of work remains to be done before this treatment can be safely translated into a human procedure, "The potential to rescue long-term memory in dementia is exciting," according to Prerana Shrestha and Eric Klann of the Center for Neural Science at New York University.

At Midnight Sun Home Care of Anchorage, AK, one of the ways we approach caring for those with dementia is to take additional time getting to know our clients and their loved ones very well so that we can understand the unique needs, interests, and preferences of each person we serve. This knowledge helps us to provide the very best, most personalized care that supports and protects our clients’ identities in the place they cherish most – their own homes.

Because of the work we do, we are passionate advocates for those who require Alzheimer’s care in Anchorage, AK and surrounding areas, and we actively support the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska. Our highly trained, certified staff provides compassionate, therapeutic support for those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, and trusted respite care for those who love them. Please contact us to learn more.

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