By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald

More coping with dementia as population ages

RHINELANDER --The good news is that the stigma of Alzheimer's Disease is gradually being lifted as more people are becoming comfortable talking about their experiences. Other good news includes the availability of an increased number of support services for patients as well as family and other caregivers.

On the other side of the coin is the disconcerting reality that as people are living longer, more are seeing signs of memory loss, which often becomes severe and debilitating. Although there are other reasons for dementia, Alzheimer's is the leading cause.

The greatest known risk factor is advancing age. Approximately four million Americans have the disease, including as many as 50 percent of all people age 85 or older.

Those statistics are daunting, and two local men are wondering if they will be included in those numbers.

Leighton Yentzer and Jim LaChapelle, both in their mid-70s, recognize that they are experiencing signs of dementia, and they freely talk about what they are finding.

"No doctor has ever sat me down and said, 'Yentzer, you have Alzheimer's,'" Leighton said, "but I am having memory problems and can only assume this is the beginning of Alzheimer's."

Early awareness of symptoms is critical so that those affected as well as their families can receive information, care and support as soon as possible.

Leighton had a complete evaluation at the Memory Diagnostic Center in Rhinelander, and is now taking Aricept, a drug which may temporarily improve or stabilize memory and thinking skills. "The Memory Diagnostic Center is a great tool," said Leighton's wife, Ann. "There were interviews, and they did a lot of work with us. If somebody is having questions about their memory problems, this is a good place to go."

Leighton worked for Oneida County as a social worker for 20 years, and later was employed by Petersen Health Care. He is now enjoying retirement. However, about two years ago, Leighton realized something was wrong when he had difficulty following movie plots. Always a movie lover -- his first job was as a theater usher for 25 cents an hour -- this became a concern. He also began to have problems remembering what he had read.

So far, his daily activities have not been affected. I remember the basic things of life," Leighton said. "I take walks two or three times a day, and I don't get lost, but that could happen in five or 10 years.

Leighton believes that at this point his wife is more worried about the progression of his dementia than he is. The Yentzers celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this summer.

"He handles it one way; I handle it another. I am impatient by nature," she admitted, "and my biggest problem is learning patience. You can't continually ask if he remembers something; that will make him feel bad, but sometimes you have to ask so you know where he is coming from."

One way to cope, Ann said, is to be open about the problem. "I think the way to get at this is not to hide it, but to include it in everyday discussions." They have also talked openly to their four children.

"You have to take one day at a time, which is a great way to live," Ann added. "Some people are so busy planning the future that they don't live in the day. I had to teach myself that, and it has been liberating. I have a lot of acceptance, but there are times when the anger comes out."

Leighton says he is not angry. "It is a concern, but not a primary concern, because I am doing everything I reasonably can at this time. I don't dwell on it."

One thing Leighton and others can't change is a family history of dementia, which is a significant risk factor. His mother dealt with memory loss for several years before she died.

Jim LaChapelle, a parishioner of St. Joseph Parish, also has reason to be concerned from a genetic standpoint. Both of his parents had dementia, one sister died of Alzheimer's, and another is now in a nursing home unable to communicate. His brother died at an earlier age of lung cancer.

"Having been through this experience, I expected I would get to that point, too," Jim said. "I now sometimes have a hard time coming up with words." About four years ago, his doctor also prescribed Aricept.

Jim's wife, Cathy, noted that he repeatedly asks the same questions, particularly when trying to remember schedules. "He'll remember that one of our children is coming, but he will forget when," she said. "I now put schedules on the refrigerator so he won't forget or be worried about them.

"Another thing I've noticed is a kind of hesitation about going to new places," Cathy added. In the past, he was open to trying new adventures. "If we go someplace familiar where he knows everybody, he has a good time."

All of the LaChapelle's seven children are aware of their dad's memory concerns, and they are making an effort to learn about the disease. "One daughter has even joined an Alzheimer's Association in Minneapolis," Cathy noted.

A possible change in living arrangements is being considered, not only because of dementia concerns. "That is only one aspect," Cathy said. "As we are aging, we need to look at something easier so we will be selling our house." Since people with advanced stages of Alzheimer's tend to wander away, something they'll be looking for is a "safe area and not on a busy street."

One reason that memory changes are so notable where Jim is concerned is that he "always had such an incredibly good memory," Cathy said. "He would remember everything that was said, and was good at trivia." "My head was full of useless information," Jim said.

Since 1996 Jim has been retired. For most of his life he worked in purchasing, first at manufacturing companies in Milwaukee, then for nine years at Petersen Health Care. Both Jim and Cathy are active participants in the Institute for Learning in Retirement through Nicolet College.

They, too, are taking things a day at a time. "Whatever happens to me I will try to handle it ... with the help of my good wife," Jim said.

Both Leighton and Jim plan to continue attending the Alzheimer's Support Group meetings. And they encourage everyone with concerns about dementia to attend such a group.

For more information about the disease and services available, or to find a local chapter, call the Alzheimer's Association at 800-272-3900 or go to their Web site at www.alz.org.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003