From Theory to Practice: Dr. Helena Popovic’s Personal Story of Dementia Care

By Helena Popovic, Sydney, Australia

What happens when life throws together a busy, enthusiastic, doctor-daughter and her bereaved, disenchanted, dependent father? What happens when science meets stubbornness and a parent needs parenting?

Fourteen years ago, shortly after my mother passed away with lung cancer, I happened to find a box of Rivastigmine in the butter compartment of my parents’ fridge. Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor — a drug that reduces the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine — which is sometimes prescribed in the early stages of Alzheimer’s to temporarily slow worsening of symptoms. I didn’t know anyone who had Alzheimer’s so I asked my father who the patches were for.

“Your mother said they were good for my memory,” he replied. “So I stick one on every night. I don’t think they do much, but as long as I took them, happy wife, peaceful life.”

That was how I first learned that Dad had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I had assumed his depression, withdrawal, forgetfulness and confusion were manifestations of his grief at losing Mum.  After finding the Rivastigmine, I tracked down Dad’s GP, and he confirmed the diagnosis of mixed Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Such was the stigma around dementia in my Serbian family of origin, that my parents hadn’t even told their only child, their devoted daughter, who also happened to be a doctor (me!) that her father had Alzheimer’s. In fact, Mum hadn’t even told Dad his diagnosis because his mother — my paternal grandmother — had died of Alzheimer’s, and he swore he’d throw himself off a cliff near our home if he were ever diagnosed himself. Mum was not prepared to call his bluff and, after I found all this out, neither was I.

Just as shocking was my own lack of knowledge about the disease, despite my decades of medical training and practice. My experience with Dad led me to dive deeply into the latest research on dementia in order to learn everything I could to improve his condition and provide him with the best possible care. As I started sharing what I learned with friends, neighbors and patients, I realized there was a huge need for this information to reach beyond my immediate circle of influence. Dementia is the most feared of all diseases and is shrouded in misinformation and misguided helplessness. I wanted people to realize that dementia is not an end point but a starting point. Dementia can be a doorway to a more active, joyful, meaningful, socially connected life.

Above all, my experience shows that the most significant factor in slowing Dad’s decline was maintaining his sense of purpose and contribution. As long as his brain had a reason to keep functioning, it did. As long as he felt valued and of value, he found it inside himself to keep going and to maintain his cognitive functioning.

As I put fingers to keyboard, night after night, what emerged was part personal diary, part scientific treatise and part practical guide, woven together with humorous anecdotes. Above all, it’s an account of my search for my father: the man beyond the grief, despair, depression and dementia.

My book deals with a complex issue that many of us need to face: how to best care for elderly parents or loved ones who can no longer care for themselves. What do those in our care most need from us?

Are there steps we can take to defy dementia and build a better brain? Are we able to sharpen our intellect, tap into brain potential we never knew we had, and prevent the cognitive decline most of us believe is inevitable with aging?

The answer is an unequivocal YES!

Facts inform, but stories transform. I hope my book will help shift the reader from crisis to comfort and helplessness to hope.

Purchase In Search of My Father: Dementia is no match for a daughter’s determination (Outwitting Alzheimer’s)

Helena has also authored Can Adventure Prevent Dementia?: A guide to outwitting Alzheimer’s

About the Author

Dr. Helena Popovic, MBBS is a family physician and 10-year care-partner for her father who had  mixed Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. She has written two best-selling books about their adventure with dementia, and she teaches health professionals, people living with dementia, and their families about brain health and dementia prevention. She graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia, and her philosophy is that education is more powerful than medication. She believes that anyone can boost their brain and grow bolder rather than older. For a more in-depth biography, please visit drhelenapopovic.com and adventurepreventsdementia.com

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