Virtual dementia tour offers perspective-shifting experience for caregivers
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Eyewitness News wants to focus on some of the struggles families may face when they gather for the holidays.
It's both National Caregiving Month and Alzheimer's Awareness Month. In the U.S. alone, someone develops Alzheimer's every 66 seconds.
For anyone whose family is struggling with dementia, it can be very difficult.
Last Tuesday, Nina Pineda spent eight minutes in a virtual dementia tour and it was nothing short of life-changing.
Alzheimer's remains unpreventable, incurable, and until recently unalterable.
So, the toll on caregivers is immeasurable, this exercise seemed simple, but it became emotionally excruciating and helped all of us empathize with what our loved ones go through daily.
This offered such a beacon of hope, Pineda said she was surprised by the reactions and the empowerment all the volunteers felt.
Above: Watch Nina Pineda's special podcast, "Dementia: The Caregivers' Journey"
It was so personal. For all of them to open up about their caregiver journey was commendable. We thank them.
They talked about how they will go forward with more empathy.
Pineda said that two things she noticed with her mom who was diagnosed about 10 years ago, is how recently her lack of interest in activities which used to give her joy like cooking. If I gave her instruction on what we were doing like chopping garlic, sauteing chicken, she would get frustrated and walk away.
"Doing these exercises, because of how impaired I was, I felt extremely helpless and pretty angry about it," Pineda said.
So, the one big takeaway all the volunteers came away with was don't give your loved one a list of instructions.
They won't be able to comprehend past the first thing. So, one thing at a time.
Also, get help. "I had some good friends who's moms and dads were suffering too, they kind of prepare you for what's coming," Pineda said.
Above: Host Nina Pineda sits down with Dr. Raminder Parihar, who discusses significant progress being made in the fight against dementia.
The Act Now Foundation in New Jersey offers classes, support services, and advocacy empowering caregivers to navigate so many challenges.
WABC-TV has partnered with this group and we also have a podcast available called "Dementia: The Caregiver's Journey.".
In the podcast, Eyewitness News speaks to the founders of Act Now about getting through the holidays. A simple meal can be a huge challenge. They have practical tips to help. Also, a doctor talks about the Cognitive Research Center of New Jersey about the importance of clinical trial to find a cure and the hope with new combination of medications, were are closer than even before to finally cure this gut-wrenching disease.
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