By Ninah Kessler, LCSW
Successful Older Worker
As the population ages, especially if their portfolios don’t go up, we will see more Alzheimer’s disease in the workplace. Because an employee with Alzheimer’s is likely to have poor judgment, it is not likely that they will ask for help. They may not realize there is a problem and may be afraid and embarrassed. The employer needs to respect the employee’s dignity and privacy, especially because they have to live with cognitive challenges. You would not want to put a stumbling block before a blind person.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s on an individual level is best handled at regularly scheduled performance reviews where specific incidents that hinder the employee’s work can be reviewed. The employer can then adopt a supportive stance and the suggestion that the employee might want to further explore things with their physician or EAP, keeping in mind that psychological stress, other health conditions, lack of adequate sleep or even poor nutrition can mimic Alzheimer’s.
If the employee offers to share his diagnosis, it is important for the employer to remember that a diagnosis of dementia does not wipe out the worker’s skills and experience.
Often employees with early stages of dementia can still be gainfully employed, possibly in a supportive work environment. They can still be dedicated, loyal and effective workers and their jobs can keep them effectively engaged which might act to slow the progression of dementia. While they are gainfully employed they can be strengthening the company, paying their taxes and contributing to the family income.
At Sparks of Genius Brain Optimization Center in Boca Raton we offer professional cognitive training strategies for workers with dementia. Many clients diagnosed with beginning stages of Alzheimer’s can to continue to be productive at work. Examples include:
¨ An accountant who still did the books with his wife quietly reviewing accounts before submission.
¨ A therapist who did supportive work in assisted living facilities with her husband handling the driving duties.
¨ A top notch event planner in a family owned business.
Of course we didn’t work with the country’s accomplished employee with dementia, President Ronald Reagan. Because he had the support of trusted advisors orchestrated by his wife Nancy, he was possibly one of our most successful and definitely one of our most popular presidents.
Employees with dementia can be taught compensatory skills like writing down notes and appointments in an IPhone or personal organizer, making sure that there is a place for everything and not writing notes on scrapes of paper which can be misplaced.
On the macro level, employers need to take a look at cognitive fitness and brain optimization. Just like the corporate world acknowledges physical wellness, cognitive wellness needs to be on the agenda. And the two are not unrelated.
Physical exercise, a heart healthy diet, cognitive training, stress management, lifelong learning and pharmaceutical interventions have all been shown to have some effect on slowing the progression of dementia. Even rotating employees through different positions can sharpen their brains.
Employees need the help of corporations and corporations need to learn how they can benefit from employees who may have dementia.
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