Mission Statement:  Our mission is to improve conditions for those afflicted with dementia.  We do this compassionately through education, advocacy and prayer.  Those we serve are dementia patients and their families, private and professional caregivers, and other community organizations.

The Armeda Foundation strives to enlighten others about certain aspects of dementia not commonly discussed in other forums.  Abounding myths and misunderstandings about behaviors and treatments associated with dementia prove detrimental to patients, especially at the hands of direct caregivers.  It is imperative that the truth about dementia become readily known in order to improve quality of life for those afflicted as well as their caregivers. It is additionally crucial that the long term care industry, medical field, and governing agencies uphold their responsibilities toward the care and protection these vulnerable individuals.

Common Myths and Misunderstandings about Dementia

1. Those working in health and long-term care are knowledgeable and trustworthy about matters concerning dementia.  Unfortunately, many professionals caring for dementia patients do not receive specific training about the nature of Alzheimer’s and other dementia causing diseases.  Many doctors, nurses and nursing aides working in health and long-term care may actually subscribe to and perpetuate falsehoods about dementia conditions.  Research your local area for physicians and neurologists specializing in geriatric and Alzheimer’s care if you or your loved one exhibit signs of dementia.
   
   Kentucky law only requires Alzheimer’s specific training for employees of nursing homes and assisted living facilities when the facility advertises or designates itself as providing “special care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders” (Refer to KRS 216.595).  This is a major, problematic, and dangerous “loophole.”  Countless facilities provide no mention of caring for dementia patients even though a majority of their occupants suffer from the condition.  Simply because the facility does not “state” caring for dementia patients, they are relinquished from the responsibility training their employees in dementia care, even though they actually do care for numerous dementia patients.   
    
2. Combative behaviors are caused by Alzheimer’s disease and are a normal part of the disease process. This particular myth is responsible for much of the suffering experienced by dementia patients and contributes in many cases of elderly neglect and abuse. 
   
   While Alzheimer’s disease does diminish the brain’s ability to communicate and process information—thereby affecting behavior—it does not directly cause combativeness.  Things in the environment, physical pain, unidentified illness or general discomfort are almost always the cause of an Alzheimer’s patient’s verbal and/or physical aggression.
   
   Because of brain deterioration, Alzheimer’s patients often cannot convey their needs in a meaningful way.  They cannot say, “I have a headache,” or, “It hurts when you lift my arm.”  Many with Alzheimer’s also suffer other medical conditions (hypertension, lung disease, diabetes, arthritis, etc.)  Arthritis alone generates varying degrees of chronic and positional pain.  Caregivers must remember this fact and pay attention to other cues of discomfort from the patient, especially agitation.  After all, anyone becomes more irritable when they are uncomfortable or don’t feel well. 
   
   It is also important to know that the "fight-or-flight" survival mechanism is located in the “primitive” part of the human brain or “brain stem.”  This area remains very much in tact and functional in Alzheimer’s patients while the disease erodes other areas of the brain causing much fear and confusion.  What is often perceived as combativeness by the caretaker is simply the innate response of a helpless patient who perceives their circumstances as frightening.    
   
   
3. Even though they are still physically here, I “lost” my loved one a long time ago.  It can seem as though the person we “knew and loved” has already been taken from us by dementia prior to their physical death.  Tragically, this idea assumes that the soul of the person is already dead and all that remains is a physical shell.  In truth, the person you “know and love” is still very much alive; they just have diminished abilities because of a brain disease. 
   
   When you spend time with and pay attention to your loved one, you soon realize they are “still in there.”  They are trapped behind a deteriorating communication system and new ways of understanding them need to be developed. It is sad when we can no longer have normal conversations or share fond memories with a cherished life partner or family member.  It is especially painful when they do not seem to recognize us.  Dementia challenges us in ways we could never imagine and angers us in our helplessness to stop it.  We only “lose,” however, when we give up spending time with the one we love so dearly. 
   
   
4. Dementia patients "have no awareness."  Regardless of how they might appear, dementia patients are usually quite aware of what is happening—both directly to them and indirectly around them.  They often understand things but cannot issue an appropriate response.  Also, they are sensitive to nonverbal cues and respond accordingly to kindness, anger, fear, frustration, impatience, etc.  Never assume that a dementia patient cannot understand what is being said in their presence and always be aware of your tone and posture.  They know more than you think.   
   
   
5. "He/She no longer recognizes me."  The patient might not recall your name or might call you by another name, but even in late-stage Alzheimer's dementia, the person will "sense" who you are.  Patients also have random moments of clarity when they look at you and know exactly who you are and may even call you by name.
   
   
6. The disease "robbed me" of my loved one.  The disease alters people but it does not remove them entirely (at least not unless or until they pass away).  Sadly, a lot of family members remove themselves from their loved one by not visiting or paying attention to them.  Relatives and friends often do this because they believe a lot of the aforementioned myths.  The tragedy is that they miss out on knowing the person in new ways.  There is still plenty of laughter to be shared . . . and maybe a few tears.  By staying away, family and friends add to their loved one's fears, confusion, and overall distress because the person feels alone and abandoned at a very vulnerable time for them.