Alzheimers Dementia Issues Perceptions - Case Study Example

Despite all the perceptions available in different cultures about Alzheimer’s dementia, it is evident that most of the cultures are still family oriented regarding the care and treatment of their patients. It is also seen that high level of stigma is attached to the disease that is why traditional communities show reluctance to look for assistance and support outside their family network. In traditional families like Asian, African, Italian and Chinese, children are always expected to take care of their elders. The expectations with children are deeply embedded in these cultures. It is unacceptable to put old sick parents in nursing homes. This is thought to be a matter of shame. In ideological and religious groups it is also thought that children will receive respect and care in turn if they take care of their parents. Conventionally, it is also expected that the son is the actually caregiver for his parents. If the daughter is married then she will be expected to look after her husband’s parents as well as family. For a married couple, spouse is believed to be a caregiver that is supported by other family members.

As already mentioned that traditional communities give great preference to family centered care, however, they also accept services that are community based and help them in the care and treatment of their patient. Many families rely on doctors’ assistance, information and referrals. While going through such care process; language, background as well as gender are usually given great importance to ensure the acceptance and convenience of sick. Residential care is considered the last option in such scenarios because of widely spread wrong perceptions about nursing homes. However, many western countries give preferences to residential care not only for those suffering from any mental illness but as a whole for their old population.

Last but not the least; attitudes towards counseling are bit unfavorable. Most of the people feel quite hesitant to discuss their issues with stranger- the counselor or the healthcare practitioner. It is also felt that the family members are considering the sick as a burden if they go for external assistance. As a result caregivers simply oppose support services. In Catholic and Islamic societies, spiritual guidance is another way to counsel the families especially those practicing wrong perceptions related to mental illness like Alzheimer’s dementia (Alzheimer’s Australia 2008).

Conclusion

Finally, in a nutshell, it can be observed that Alzheimer is not just a process of degeneration of brain material but it is a type of dementia characterized by memory loss and decline in cognitive skills. It is not a disease of old age as most people usually think. The disease has been researched and studied quite well in recent times yet does have any proper cure. It is irretrievable disease and affects the individual to a great extent. Not only an individual receives adverse effects but his family and caregivers also suffer a lot. The disease is considered a genetically transferred illness. Those suffering from the illness could not get urgent treatments because of limited knowledge available regarding its cure. Social and cultural perceptions also play their part in order to stop the process of progress towards its treatment. However, currently special attention is being given to more research for its cure as it is affecting to a great number of populations round the globe and day by day the figures are getting higher.