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So far on my journey of researching Alzheimer's I have struggled with finding what the main causes of the disease are. There hasn't been enough research done on Alzheimer's to find a completely accurate reason to why the brain neurons start to shut down and die. After doing my research I have found that it comes from losing connections because of the protein being released into the brain creating tau tangles and amyloid plaques which produce even more protein. The protein basically attacks the protective layer over neurons and when it gets down to the neurons it starts to shut it down and lose to connections forever. It isn't known to why protein is released into the brain like a chemical that is supposed to be there. As the neurons die it also starts decaying the brain, a normal brain ends up looking like it is gone. There is currently no medications (which I knew) to cure Alzheimer's just medications to slow the process of inevitable. Researchers are hoping in the future to use a brain therapy to help make connections with the neurons to come back to life and make stronger connections. As of now when neurons die and connections are lost they are unable to come back and work again, so that causes vital memories to be lost and patients start moving backwards and basically become babies again.

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During this pandemic, I was unable to accomplish my volunteer time. Before this I broke my foot, so that put a hold on being able to shadow someone at a living home. I was worried about being able to continue anyways. Once I became more mobile I was spending time at nursing home and watching how the nurses would help the patients. Some were more severe than others so I wasn't allowed to see. I saw them do physical therapy, help patients go to the bathroom, and even just move from their beds to their chairs. I was learning a lot on how to care for these patients, even though I could not physically do it. Just as I was getting comfortable they told us that no one was allowed to enter the nursing home unless you worked there or it was an emergency to see a patient. That was heart breaking for me because one thing I learned was that they need to have family around to help keep there minds in the right place. One reason it was so hard for me was that my grandpa was one of those patients and you could see the sadness in their faces, it crushes someone. They depend on their families and they got that taken away for their safety. Many precautions were taken to help these elders stay safe, no visitors, masks, gloves, and no contact. The only way I can see these workers now is when they come to do PT at my grandparents house.

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So as we all know, everything is such down and we aren't supposed to leave our houses. Well that has made it incredibly challenging to do my volunteer time and get artifacts for my Senior Summit Project. On March 10th, I was told that I was no longer able to go to the nursing home I had been visiting due to COVID-19. I was devastated because I had just gotten to really know the nurses, PT's, and OT's. I was learning how these people were helping patients with Alzheimer's, especially the high risk patients. Once I was told I could no longer go, I took it to my grandparents house. My grandpa is a high risk patient and has weekly appointments with different types of nurses. So far I have been able to watch a speech therapist, physical therapist, and just doctors who visit. With my grandpa's release from Flat Iron Rehab Center, I have been helping talk my family through different scenario's, things like stomach issues, choking issues, sleeping issues, and even just hygiene. During quarantine my family and I decided to even make a medicine list of every medication my grandparents need and don't need. We've had to make some tough decisions like when we need to go over, if we even need to go over (we do everyday), and even deciding if an appointment is actually worth going. As I progress with my grandpa I have been able to learn to keep patience with him, even when he chooses to ignore us. Going forward I plan on learning ways I can personally help him, while keeping myself and others around me safe.

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His daily medication list helps us see what medications he needs to take a certain times.

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He isn't a big fan of Snapchat.

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He took his teeth out and wondering if any sports stores were open. He thinks he needs fishing line.

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Before he was sent to rehab we were able to go out to breakfast! It's his favorite meal.