Imagine one day watching a relatively normal person suddenly become forgetful and no longer able to function simple tasks - even more shocking, they may die within 30 to 90 days as this disease progresses rapidly and worse yet it is incurable. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is defined as a form of brain damage that leads to a rapid decrease of mental function and movement. This disease may occur suddenly with someone who is as young as 20, middle age or older.
It is very important to know about the various diseases so that you and your family may be aware in the event you notice that something similar is happening to someone you know.
Be informed.......your health and wellness depends on you.
When a loved one is sick, there are those who visit, those who call, those who send cards with Get Well Wishes or Thinking of You and those who send gift baskets or all of the above. However, there are those who step in and devote their time to tending to the needs of their loved one. The Caregiver is one who is so busy making sure that the doctors appointments are made, they serve as an advocate, speaking with the health care team, picking up prescriptions, cook, clean, feed, bathe, read, entertain, listen, talk, laugh, cry, deal with the ups and downs of the emotions of their loved ones and times deal with the demands of the onlookers (family members who are not actively involved except for their questions and suggestions). Overall, the Caregiver is the one who takes it all the good, the bad and the ugly.
It is time to appreciate the Caregiver. Although the Caregiver may seem to do things with ease, it takes a toll. Caring for a loved one who is ill is not easy. The concerns of their health and wellness can be overwhelming and the Caregiver may wonder if he/she is doing enough. The Caregiver needs someone to come in and help share the load. It is important for the family to get involved to take on some of the tasks. In the cases where there are no family members or friends to help, there are also Caregiver Support Groups and Associations that offers services to help alleviate the stress of caring for a loved one.
