Week 10

Learning about death this week was difficult. Its not something anyone wants to think about much less discuss. The book talks about the ways that we can plan for death and how important it is to make our wishes known to our loved ones ahead of time. These ways are a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care. A living will states your own intentions about life support and other treatments it also states your desires regarding a DNR or do not resucitate order. In a durable power of attorney for health care you appoint someone to make those health care decisions for you. It is important to make sure that your wishes are discussed with your power of attorney so that they may follow your wishes and make sure that this person is not only informed that you have chosen them but also where the paperwork is appointing them.I think this is a great practice and something that everyone should think about doing just in case the unthinkable should happen.

Week 9

I was interested in learning about Alzheimer's disease this week. I work in a specialized care unit taking care of patients with Alzheimer's dementia and so learning about this was helpful to me. The book states that the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are a gradual decline in memory, learning, attention and judgement, confusion to time and place, difficulties communicating and finding the right words, decline in personal hygiene and self-care skills, inappropriate social skills, and changes in personality. I see these every day in the people that I care for and it is heartbreaking to watch and yet amazing sometimes the things that stay with you. I have a particular person who no longer speaks but when we turn on religious music they will sing every word.