[임선진 임선진 국립정신건강센터 노인정신과장/정신건강의학과 전문의 ] As the life expectancy of the elderly increases, various types of neurodegenerative diseases are also becoming more common. Representative examples of neurodegenerative diseases that can appear in the elderly are Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. A characteristic feature of these diseases is that the associated symptoms gradually worsen over time following the onset of the disease. Most of the diseases show cognitive impairment such as memory, spatiotemporal ability, language ability, and executive function, and are accompanied by various motor disorders and psycho-behavioral symptoms. As these symptoms gradually worsen, the functions necessary to maintain an independent daily life also deteriorate.
Therefore, the elderly suffering from neurodegenerative diseases are gradually reaching a situation where they have no choice but to depend on their spouses and children for all their daily life. From medication to slow the worsening of symptoms, to eating, hygiene, wearing clothes, and even light exercise to maintain physical health, it becomes impossible without someone’s help. In many cases, the caregiver is assumed by the family living together, and in most cases, the family is devoted to caring for the patient as best they can. But this devoted care is sometimes poisonous to both sides.
Elder Park was diagnosed with dementia five years ago. At the time her husband was diagnosed with dementia, her wife expressed guilt that she had not noticed the progress of the disease, and as her dementia progressed, her husband, who was exceptionally dependent on her, did not miss a single moment. He did not leave him alone and devoted his 24 hours to caring for him. She told me several times that I also need personal time with my wife, and recommended long-term care insurance for long-term caregivers and day care centers. ” and repeated the refusal.
And this spring, Park’s wife, led by her daughter, visited the elderly clinic. According to her daughter, she had been at her parents’ house in a long time, and her mother, as usual, raised her voice to her father and was crying and yelling at her. Elder Park and her wife both looked like they mightn’t even eat properly, and they said that the house was filled with laundry and dishes that had been enough for a few days. As a result of the evaluation, senior Park’s wife was judged to be in a state of severe depression accompanied by depression, lethargy, irritability and decreased appetite, and suicidal thoughts.
Why did this happen to a woman who devoted herself to her husband at every moment? It was because her wife had devoted herself to the care of her husband, but she had endured countless hours without realizing that she also needed care for herself who cared for her husband. She needed to take care of herself to expand and recharge her mind by taking an interest in her own emotions and physical condition and looking at herself.
In fact, many families of the elderly who are battling neurodegenerative diseases experience the same situation. Families who provide devoted care with love. Psychological problems that arise when they do not take care of themselves are detrimental to their health and happiness, but in the end, they directly or indirectly affect the patients they wanted to care for their best. It can also lead to abuse.
Therefore, caring is also necessary for carers. I would like to suggest that the minimum amount of care for the family themselves, which can be recharged while using local support services, maintaining interpersonal relationships and hobbies, is essential not only for themselves but also for the elderly who are battling the disease.
|
