Page 23 - Jewish News_September-2020

JEWISH INTEREST September 2020 23

Aging Jewishly – What our traditions teach us about growing old

Cognitive decline in the time of Corona

By Rabbi Barbara Aiello
ffie found a private spot for her- and dementia and how to relate to those an emotional level is the best course of blocked weekly calendar with stars and
self. It was in a corner near the whose cognitive deficiencies present action. A warm smile along with body stickers on her grandson’s visiting days
Etelevision where she sensed she unique challenges. language that conveys confidence and – all in an effort to build Effie a new
wouldn’t be seen. That way she could In a recent article, “Effects of security is often more effective than routine.
pick at the scabs on her arms, rock Coronavirus on Alzheimer’s Patients lengthy explanations. It’s not what we After all, it is in Proverbs (16:31)
back and forth and hum a song that she & Caregivers (June 2020),” Dr. Bruns say, but how we say it, that will reduce that we read that, “A gray head is a
thought she once remembered. When a states that isolation during the pandem- anxiety in these tumultuous times. crown of glory.” Sadly, cognitive de-
staff member found her, it was obvious ic is a heavy burden to be faced with, Dr. Bruns cautions, “While the person cline may have disheveled the “crown,”
that Effie had been crying. and many of our patients in memory suffering from dementia might not al- but for each of our precious elders, es-
“Miss Effie, what’s the trouble?” care facilities have endured an ex- ways have the context of what’s going pecially those confused and frustrated
Effie looked up tended time alone without fully under- on, they are going to react to the stress by Coronavirus restrictions and re-
at her longtime standing why. levels of the caregiver.” quirements, we are reminded that for
caregiver but it Caring for a family member, in Dr. Bruns encourages family mem- even those most debilitated, reaching
was a face she particular a parent or a spouse whose bers of those with Alzheimer’s and de- out with respect, concern and patience
didn’t quite rec- level of confusion due to degenera- mentia to take advantage of the myriad is the righteous thing to do.
ognize. Effie said, tive cognitive conditions is already a of services now offered online and em- For 10 years Rabbi Barbara Aiello
“Why did you put daily challenge, and then adding social phasizes that virtual support groups served the Aviva Campus for Senior
me in the corner? restrictions to the mix can create new make it easier than ever to access help Life as resident rabbi. Her most popu-
Was I a bad girl? problems for everyone involved. That’s and share concerns. lar columns are now published in her
Is that why no- why Dr. Bruns offers coping strategies For Effie, her grandson’s virtual new book, Aging Jewishly, available
Rabbi Barbara Aiello body comes any- for caregivers and family members as visits, three days a week on the same on Amazon. Rabbi Barbara now lives
more? I promise I’ll be good.” together they navigate these uncharted days and at the same time, created a and works in Italy where she is rabbi
As her caregiver gently urged Ef- waters. new routine for her to look forward to. of Italy’s first Reconstructionist syna-
fie from her self-imposed exile, it be- Dr. Bruns reminds us that disrup- Caregivers in Effie’s residential facility gogue. Contact her at Rabbi@Rabbi
came clear what had happened. As tion in routines accelerates the level supported the effort by creating a large Barbara.com.
often occurs with persons with cogni- of stress that many dementia patients
tive impairments such as dementia, experience. She writes, “Due to mem-
Effie reverted to behavior brought on ory loss, forgetting why they can’t go
by childhood memories. places causes more pent-up stress and
The isolation imposed by COV- can lead to pacing, picking at skin…
ID-19 seemed to have been the trigger. sadness and loneliness if unable to be
Possibly decades ago Effie may have with family.” She reports that patients SUPPORT
been naughty and had been made to who are usually calm can fly into angry Friendship at Home
stand in a corner. Now that the Coro- tirades when routines are broken, and Financial Stability
navirus required isolation from family express great frustration about mask In-home Support
and friends, Effie’s dementia made her wearing and social distancing without Home Delivered Meals
think that she was being punished once understanding why. Educational Programs
again. How to cope? Dr. Bruns offers
The pandemic challenges all of us suggestions which include establishing CAREGIVING
– parents, children, employers, teach- a new routine. She writes, “If patients Caregiver Resource Centers
ers – but no one group seems more are used to going out to lunch, have Adult Day Care Programs
Support Groups
vulnerable psychologically than our el- a picnic lunch out in the yard. If they Educational Programs
derly, especially those with debilitating are accustomed to going out shopping,
cognitive issues. take them for a walk around the block. HEALTH & WELLNESS
Thanks to the work of Dr. Marla If they are in a facility and anticipate Medical & Dental Clinics
Bruns, cognitive neurologist and co-di- your visit, arrange for visits outside a Senior Centers
rector of the Rochester (NY) Regional window or through video chats.” Friendship Cafés
Jump In! bers and caregivers can learn more cognitive decline is often accompanied FRIENDSHIP
Senior Fitness
Health Memory Center, family mem-
Experts also point out that because
Balance Movement
Lifelong Learning
by diminished understanding of spo-
about the effect of the Coronavirus
pandemic on those with Alzheimer’s
ken words and phrases, responding on
THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY OF AGING

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