Dear Counsellor:

My mother has Alzheimer's disease which is causing problems for her. She has become forgetful and irritable. I have to get a caregiver to take care of her at home.

- Annette

Dear Annette:

Alzheimer's is a form of dementia. Dementia is a condition that affects senior citizens. There is no cure for this condition, but there are medications that can decrease its progression. A lot of research is underway to find better treatment and a possible cure.

Dementia causes people to become like an infant and requires a lot of caregiving. Some people are unable to sleep at nights while others develop behavioural problems. Hallucination is seen in many patients.

There is medication to treat the variety of symptoms. Your mother needs to have a doctor who can work along with the family to take care of her.

Caregiving is difficult and you will need another person to relieve the primary caregiver. As the condition worsens, the family will need to come together to make a schedule so that the work can be shared.

Your mother needs to be kept in the main stream of things so that she doesn't feel useless or isolated. Sometimes family members feel bewildered, frustrated and depressed. The family members need to be supportive of each other.

Family members need to share their resources for proper maintenance of activity for your mother. It would be good to form a supportive group with other people to encourage each others. You don't need to feel as if it is only who has the problem.

Dementia affects millions of people worldwide. As the population ages then the number of people with dementia will increase. Information is readily available on the Internet about dementia and Alzheimer's disease. When you are informed you can make wise decisions which can enhance a better quality of life.

Work wisely

Dear Counsellor:

I have been working for 10 years and haven't received a promotion. I see this as unfair and I am concerned about it. I am thinking of leaving and finding another job.

- Claudette

Dear Claudette:

The work environment is a challenging place and one needs stamina, endurance and persistence. Employees need to benefit from their work. Getting a promotion with a raise in pay is a big incentive. You need to research the activities of your company. The programmes and policies of the company should be known to you. This will help you to assess your position and role.

Career building is a task that all working individuals need to be involved in. A review of the last 10 years will tell you about the promotional activities of your company. You need to identify the strategic plans of your company and see how you fit into the big picture. Having done the review and evaluation you will be in a better position to assess your progress in that company.

Another idea is to keep yourself marketable by doing courses, even degrees. These days adults are going back to school to update themselves. Keeping yourself current will improve your chances of a promotion.

Please try and find out the criteria for a promotion as this will help you to see how you can fit in. It is important to assess your company as to the future because some companies are adjusting their workforce and activities.

With downsizing and reorganising it is important to improve your networking skills as this will provide information about available jobs. Volunteering or joining service clubs can provide you with worthwhile skills which will improve your market value. You should have a hobby which can generate an income in times of scarcity.

I wouldn't encourage you to leave your current job as the job market is shrinking in some areas. Do the things I have suggested and your chances of professional success will improve.

Dr. Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson; 9274824; yvonniebd@hotmail.com.