A VETERAN attorney wants those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and dementia to put their affairs in order early by preparing a power of attorney.
Speaking at a panel discussion at Solidarity House, Wednesday night, attorney Milton Pierce said the time for action is now for those who have a mild form of those mental diseases marked by degeneration of the brain.
“The power of attorney will vest in the caregiver the right to look after their financial affairs and make decisions about their health as to what kind of care should be given to them once it is beneficial and in their best interest.
“Those who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia need to make this decision because as you progress you then become incompetent to make a legal document and so therefore a person suffering with advanced Alzheimer’s or dementia cannot then make a valid document which would be to their benefit in the long run,” he said.
Pierce said it was important the person chosen to act did so in the best interest of the Alzheimer’s sufferer, whether it was in relation to property, banking, medical care, or some other matter.
Dr Bronwen Glassford also spoke to the audience that included president of the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association, Pamelia Brereton, outlining the various signs of the illness, such as memory loss, inability to do routine day-to-day activities such as cooking, difficulty in identifying visual images and mood swings.
Glassford said that caregivers needed to be patient, understanding and non-confrontational.
“The caring of the individual not only takes a toll on the patient but the people who are part of that family unit. People need to know what Alzheimer’s is all about and how they should go about taking care of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s,” she said.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s but fellow panellist Dr Bryan Payne of the National Nutrition Centre said that the consumption of a wide variety of fruits could delay the onset of the disease.
He said that fruits high in antioxidants, such as Bajan cherries, and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers and watermelons would be useful intake.
Another panellist, Dr Ambrose Ramsay, a consultant at the Geriatric Hospital, spoke about the importance of education and increased public awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia “so that we can deal with the problem more effectively”.
Moderator was psychiatrist Dr Ermine Belle.
Tuesday was observed as Global Alzheimer’s Day.
