“How I’m Preparing To Get Alzheimer’s”

“If the monster wants you then the monster will get you…”

Words spoken by global activist and TED Fellow, Alanna Shaikh, in her moving talk, “How I’m Preparing To Get Alzheimer’s” at the TED Global conference this year. She’s recounting the descent into Alzheimer’s of her father, a college professor, writer, and her hero. For 12 years she has watched him lose cognitive function, physical abilities, and he’s become more and more detached from her and his surroundings.

Shaikh discusses her own preparations for getting the disease. There is evidence that Alzheimer’s and dementia are hereditary so she is planning her life in anticipation of losing it to confusion and isolation.

“I am making preparations in three ways,” she says:

“Changing what I do for fun.”

“Building physical strength.”

“Learning to be a better person.”

There is some evidence that cognitive exercises, keeping the brain busy, may help slow the progression of dementia. Leading a physically active life, practicing balance or range of motion exercises can compensate for some of the loss of dexterity. Some evidence suggests that a generally positive outlook will make for a better adjustment in the beginning as well as ease the anxiety of caregivers.

In planning for the onset of Alzheimer’s Shaikh confronts the common denials about dementia, “I won’t get it, or science will fix it before it’s my time.”  So by planning for her own loss of identity she prepares herself for a world where she does get it and science has failed her.

We were very moved by her words so we’ved posted the video below. If you have someone in your life with Alzheimer’s it may offer some comfort and inspiration.