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Post-Katrina Stress and Alzheimer's
In these Post—Katrina days many friends and acquaintances
have commented to me about their increased forgetfulness and
difficulty concentrating. We usually laugh about how disorganized
our lives have become, I recount the Tuesday my electrician
showed up at my house after a phone conversation with me that
I still don’t remember having!! It’s as if a certain
level of cognitive impairment has become “normal”
in these stressful days.
However, after years of working with families struggling
with Alzheimer’s disease, I know that genuine cognitive
decline is no laughing matter. I also know that stressful
events often cause a sharp decline in memory and other cognitive
function particularly in those individuals who were already
beginning to show signs of mild impairment. How can we tell
the difference between symptoms of “Post—Katrina
Stress” and something more serious, such as the early
stages of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Certainly a visit to an experienced health care professional
is important—but difficult in these days of limited resources.
So, taking a practical approach, watch carefully for signs
of improvement or further decline. Stress related cognitive
change will gradually improve—symptoms of disease such
as Alzheimer’s gradually worsen. Honestly consider whether
there were any signs of mild cognitive impairment before the
storm. For individuals experiencing genuine decline, such
as Alzheimer’s disease, stress will rapidly worsen symptoms
that were mild initially. Be vigilant about safety risks.
The confusion that accompanies even early stage Alzheimer’s
can pose serious safety risks. Seniors who are living in unfamiliar
surroundings ( and what looks familiar these days!) are prone
to far greater confusion than if they were securely in their
own homes with their own familiar neighborhoods and daily
routines. Now more than ever, when we are all so busy, safety
and supervision needs to be a major focus.
Finally, if symptoms indicate more than “Post—Katrina
Stress” recognize the need for continuous supervision
either at home or in a residential facility. We are fortunate
in New Orleans to have a menu of facilities specializing in
the care of cognitively impaired seniors. These include group
homes, assisted living
facilities and nursing
homes. Use the Seniors Resource Guide or check out our
Resource Room @ www.alzheimerservicescc.com
to find these listings. Visit and find the right place to
provide comfort, nurturing and Post- Katrina piece of mind
for the entire family.
This article was written by:
Nancy Bologna, Ph.D. for Seniors Resource Guide of Greater
New Orleans
Director of Alzheimer’s Residential Care Homes.
She may be reached at (504)914-6006
Printed with permission from Seniors Resource Guide of Greater
New Orleans
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