title: Struggling to find the exit in the dark.
abstract: Every one must learn to deal with a devastating illness such as Alzheimer's disease in his or her own way. When so little is known, however, each person's experiences can add to the knowledge of us all. In this article, the author eloquently urges us to find ways to maintain the humanity of the dementia impaired--to see beyond bizarre behavior or very physical needs and remember the mind and soul that remain there still. The author offers professionals and nonprofessionals alike a poignant, yet positive, view of what is possible in a seemingly impossible situation.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: MacDermid
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D008875:Middle Aged