Dementia & Alzheimer’s — Treatment with Reiki and Crystals

Dementia is a general term used to describe a person’s decline in mental ability, which after time and advanced age, can become severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is the main symptom, and Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.                       

Alzheimer’s disease causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior[1]. It is a progressive disease that worsens over a number of years, usually beginning around the age of 65, but there are cases where the onset of this disease can affect a person in their 40s or 50s. Alzheimer’s has no cure at the moment, but there are treatments available for symptoms. Research for further treatment and a cure for this disease are ongoing.  

It is important to mention that many people have issues with memory loss for varying reasons, and the best way to determine what type of memory loss issues you or a loved one may be experiencing is to seek a physician’s opinion and diagnosis.

Care for the Aging and Ailing

Having been touched by Alzheimer’s more than once in my own family, I understand the importance of caring for our elders as they age. Unfortunately, sometimes an otherwise healthy person can suffer a minor stroke or a series of minor strokes that go unnoticed by family members or physicians. However, the damaging effects to the brain are there, and eventually, they manifest in severe dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Reiki can be performed on people who are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s from as early as the onset of the symptoms. For people experiencing the early onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s, special care must be taken to first treat feelings of fear and anxiety. Many times people suffering from memory loss tend to get angry because they don’t understand why they are so confused all the time or why they are so forgetful. Throughout the course of your relationship as the Reiki healer for a person living with Alzheimer’s, healing should be focused on the release of stress, agitation, and anger. Fear and depression will also need to be treated for the long term.

While the Crown chakra seems to be the most logical chakra to work with, it is important to also pay special attention to the first and third chakras, the Root and Solar Plexus. Treating the Root chakra will help the person with feelings of anger and fear; while working with the Solar Plexus will help the person with releasing anxiety produced by fear and depression caused by anger.

Care for the Caregivers

Having been a caregiver, I know that it is as equally important that the caregivers of the elderly receive healing also. This could be in the form of scheduling someone to assist so that the caregiver can take time to themselves to relax and enjoy a preferred activity. Many times the continual stress of caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s tends to fray our nerves and cause us to become short with those around us. Taking a few minutes before and/or after caring for our loved one in order to clear ourselves of those emotions is an easy step to releasing emotions of despair and feelings of being overwhelmed with all the tasks that need to be handled for the ailing person or loved one.

Reiki sessions performed on caregivers should be concentrated on the Throat, Heart, Solar Plexus, and Sacral chakras. In the Sacral chakra, the person will need to release emotions of pain and anxiety. In the Solar Plexus, the person will need to release any guilt they may feel for not being able to do more for their loved one. Feelings of pity should be released. The Heart chakra—very important—should be maintained clear and open because the task of being a caregiver begins with love and should end with love. The Throat chakra should be cleansed and healed because it is so very difficult to carry those emotions around and not have an outlet. As Reiki practitioners, we should encourage caregivers who seek Reiki healing to communicate daily with their loved ones, their friends, and of course with themselves via meditation. This will facilitate the release of any emotions so that they do not become suppressed, and subsequently, end in resentment for having to be the bearer of the responsibility of caring for their loved one.

Crystals[2]

Here are a few crystals and stones that can be used to improve mental clarity, calm fear, heal emotions, and help people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Please note that besides using these crystals during a Reiki session, they can also be worn, carried, or placed in the home of where the person with dementia or Alzheimer’s lives as well as worn, carried, or placed in the home of the caregiver.

Crystal Name	Description of Healing Properties	Recommended For
Chalcedony types: Agate, Bloodstone, Chrysophase, Carnelian, Chert, Flint, Jasper, Onyx, Sardonyx	Balancing the energy of the body, mind, emotions, and spirit; alleviate hostility, irritability, and melancholy; said to cure varying forms of dementia, rectify senility, and increase mental stability.	Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Blue Kyanite, Rutilated Quartz	Assist with aging in general; encourages clarity of mind;	Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Moss Agate, Emerald, Fluorite	Memory loss	Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Botswana Agate; Lepidolite	Ease fear and depression; balance between body and emotions	For Caregivers as well as dementia/ Alzheimer’s
Rose Quartz	Works to remove negative energy in all the chakras; reinstate loving, gentle forces of self-love; brings calmness and clarity to emotions and restores mind to harmony after chaotic or crisis situations	For Caregivers as well as dementia/ Alzheimer’s