| Level: | Topic: | Speakers: | Length: |
| difficult | assisted living and memory care | man - woman | 03:44 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
[ Note from Randall: My mother passed away on January 22, 2017, about a week after I finished this recording, and in memory of her, I invite visitors to learn about her life by doing this listening activity. ]
Randall's mother has Alzheimer's disease, and his family is trying to do the best they can to provide for her comfort. Such health conditions affect many senior citizens in our communities. What special care centers are there in your hometown in your country that provide special care for these individuals? In what cases do families care for the elderly? Under want conditions are special care centers needed?
Idioms
"pull through" = recover from an illness
"Grandma had a serious accident in her car, but the doctors think that she's going to pull through."
"run in the family" = to be common in the family
"The doctors said that this disorder might run in the family."
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
What did Randall's parents do in Honduras years ago?
She was born in Texas, worked as a teacher for many years, and later with my dad, helped build an orphanage for children in Honduras, which is in Central America. And my parents were very committed to caring for the poorest of the poor, both physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
For Randall, one of the most difficult aspects of his mom's Alzheimer's disease?
Just having one of this is very difficult; having both of them is devastating, and watching a friend or family member slowly drifting away, no longer being able to carry on conversations or even remember who you, can be very difficult.
_____ usually helps his mom with her meals.
My father spends most of his day there, so he usually feeds her. Her appetite has diminished over time, and she no longer can feed herself.
Randall's mother likes to __________ at the care center.
Although mom isn't able to participate in these like she did in the past, she still enjoys the simple things: holding hands, watching some TV shows, and taking short walks outside . . . well, my pushing her in a wheel chair
In such difficult circumstances, Randall suggests ____.
And while I can't see and predict the future, I only know that if we can live each day as if it were our last, someday we'll certainly be right, and thus, I try to live each day to the best I can, seeking to show love and compassion to all I meet. And if we all try to lighten the burdens of one another---with a smile, a touch, and kind word---oh, how wonderful this world could be.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
Describe your relationship with a family member or friend who has suffered from the effects of age. What were the first signs of dementia or Alzheimer's Disease? How did the family deal with the situation, financially, physically, and emotionally?
Online Investigation
Use the Internet to find the answers to some of these questions about Alzheimer's Disease:
- What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia?
- What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
- What are the causes of Alzheimer's disease?
- What tests are used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease?
- Why is it important to detect Alzheimer's as early as possible?
- What are the stages of Alzheimer's?
- Are there genetic risk factors for the disease?
- What is the average age of people who have Alzheimer's?
- Do men or women have a higher chance of developing the disease?
- How can the disease be treated?
- What advice should family members be given to help them deal with the family members with Alzheimer's?
- What is the life expectancy of someone with Alzheimer's?
- Is there anything you can do to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's?
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