 |
|
 |
||
Home
A Conversation With |
Benefits and Pensions MonitorEarly Alzheimer Detection Good For Business
The letter came as a shock. June 1995. Twenty-five years with the same company. Eight years to go before retirement. And they were saying, “Sorry we have to let you go. There are just too many problems affecting your work. Perhaps you should see a doctor. You might have a medical problem.” What Mike Crowe and his wife Nona, of Penticton, BC, didnʼt realize was that Mike was in the early stages of Alzheimer disease. “We thought it was stress and burnout,” recalls Nona. Mike wasnʼt remembering deadlines and appointments at work. He was also making a lot of mistakes. At home, he was totally exhausted. He would just tune out, read the newspaper, watch television, and not talk too much. He was showing nearly half of the symptoms on the Alzheimerʼs early warning list including memory loss, difficulty performing tasks, mood changes, and a loss of initiative. Younger Than You Think Just as the business world is recognizing the financial costs associated with employees caring for parents with Alzheimer disease, along comes another startling realization. The disease is not only found in older people. People in their 30s, 40s, and 50s – those in the prime of their working and family life – can have an aggressive medical condition called early-onset Alzheimer disease. Many of us think that memory loss is part of aging, but research shows that young, healthy-looking people with early-onset Alzheimer disease are probably living with it three to six years before symptoms are recognizable. Itʼs not a surprise then that diagnosis and treatment when symptoms first appear are often difficult. Rather, burnout, depression, other psychiatric illnesses, or undue stress are considered and often documented as the medical culprits. According to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer are similar to those of late-onset. To be considered early-onset, an individual must be under 65 when symptoms first appear. The tragic difference with these patients, of course, is that they are in their younger years and are active with work, family, and social activities. The gradual changes in behaviour and personality that sneak into their day-today lives are challenges to say the least. A diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer disease can also be financially devastating, particularly for those who are primary or strongly contributing income earners in the peak of their careers.
Meeting Expectations Oftentimes, an incident at work changes the landscape dramatically for someone with early onset Alzheimer disease. The individual might become withdrawn and lack motivation or concentration for the task at hand. Or, an issue might arise from his or her inconsistent ability to remember and perform familiar tasks. Perhaps, an embarrassing situation occurs where the person is reprimanded or fired. An employee may feel frustrated, knowing he or she is slowing down, feeling confused, or feeling the need to withdraw from relationships. Other symptoms include:
In most cases, the gradual inability to perform to the same workplace standards as in the past or to the encouragement of others will drive the person to start asking questions, seek help, and visit their family physician. Career Adjustments As an individualʼs Alzheimer disease becomes visible, job-related tasks may become difficult to perform. People with early-onset may lose relationships or their jobs, instead of being identified as medically ill. There is also a tenuous, potential ʻat riskʼ period when the employee does not wish to tell their employer about the disease and continues working. Are there safety issues? Are other employees safe? Is the companyʼs level of service or product quality at risk? Employers should remember that it is always best to focus on an employeeʼs abilities rather than their disability. Despite the fact that someone has this progressive disease, in some cases, the disease will still be in its early stages and it may not be necessary to immediately lose the individual workerʼs talent and experience. Open communication about doctor ʼs recommendations for work and when someone should no longer work are key. Remember, Alzheimer disease affects each person differently, and symptoms of the disease will be apparent on some days and unrecognizable on others. Caroline Tapp-McDougall is the publisher of Solutions: Canadaʼs Family Guide to Home Health Care and Wellness and the author of The Complete Canadian Eldercare Guide. |
|
Home / News Alerts / Archives / Classifieds / Events / Directories / Resources / Subscribe / Login / Contact Us Copyright ©1999 - 2008 Benefits and Pensions Monitor. All rights reserved. |
||
