In Honor of World Alzheimer’s Day
Every September we take the time to acknowledge Alzheimer’s Disease and the impact that it has on our world. Whether everyone has a direct connection or not to this horrible disease, there is something that we all can agree on. Memories are precious.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a type of dementia but is not a normal part of aging. The disease is marked by two abnormal structures. Beta-amyloid plaques are the first structure. These deposits build up in the spaces between nerve cells. Tau tangles are the second structure and are twists of fibers that build up inside the nerve cell. Without diving too much into details and the process, the point is that this disease destroys memories.
For both the people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and the family, friends, and caregivers of those diagnosed, it is hard, painful, and devastating. To not remember your own family or what one did that day. To have your loved one not remember who you are. To find that one day you don’t remember your own children. To have your loved one potentially yell at you, thinking that you are a stranger. These moments leave lasting impressions.
While there is much more to say on the topic of Alzheimer’s Disease, it is time to return to the point that opened this blog post. Memories are precious. Every day our brains are busy making memories. Not every event in our lives is turned into a memory because, let’s face it, we don’t need to remember every time we brush our teeth or comb our hair. This process happens naturally, thanks to our amazing brains. There are times when we consciously work to make memories, like when we are learning a new skill. Though, for the most part, our brains are hard at work so that when we want to remember an event, person, or time, we can access it.
There are memories that we love to call up because they remind us of the good times and the people we care about. Then there are memories that we would rather forget because they may be traumatizing. Additionally, some memories may not elicit much feeling or reaction but exist because they touched us in some other way. While maybe not all our memories are pleasant, they exist because our bodies were designed to allow us to remember. Remembering is a gift that we often take for granted because memory formation happens so “easily.”
As we move through this month and the months following, take a moment to appreciate the gift that remembering can be. And, remember all those who may not have that ability anymore. Memories are precious. Let’s find a way to honor and acknowledge the gift that memory is to our lives.
Open journal with a picture of a couple of people and purple flowers on top.
take action today moment:
For this month and into the future, take some time to consider the role that memories and the ability to remember play a role in your life. You can do some journaling, drawing, movement, or even have a conversation with someone you trust. Reflect on what life may be like if you couldn’t remember people, places, or special times in your life. Also, reflect on how memories serve you in moments that you may not think of. Then see if you can acknowledge and bring gratitude for the process of memory making. Please add other questions and reflections to this list to aid your process.
Learn More About World Alzheimer’s Month:
September is World Alzheimer's Month