Üsküdar Üniversitesi, in partnership with the Turkey Alzheimer's Association and within the scope of Alzheimer's patient relative support programs during the pandemic, held a live broadcast themed “Understanding Alzheimer's Patient Relatives” on the social media account of the Turkey Alzheimer's Association Kadıköy Branch, featuring İdil Arasan Doğan, a Lecturer at Üsküdar University Institute of Social Sciences and a Board Member of the Turkey Alzheimer's Association.
Ahmet Şeker, whose wife is an Alzheimer's patient, participated in the live broadcast and sincerely shared his experiences with his patient with the audience.
Ahmet Şeker, who has been providing one-on-one care for his wife for 12 years; “The way to care for an Alzheimer's patient is through love. One needs to listen to them, be understanding and patient. At times, I fall into exhaustion. As a result of the knowledge and experience I've gained, I can say that I've overcome this situation,” he said.
Şeker described the most challenging moments during his experience with these words; “It's her not recognizing me and our dreams being left unfinished.”
Lecturer Doğan; “In Alzheimer's disease, the real decision-makers are the caregivers”
Lecturer İdil Arasan Doğan also made evaluations regarding Alzheimer's patient care; “In Alzheimer's disease, the real decision-makers are the patient's relatives. I want to draw attention to the importance of caregivers' own psychological resilience. Additionally, making the disease process livable comes from the caregiver receiving psychoeducation about the illness, creating time for their own well-being, and understanding their patient's rhythm,” she said.