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• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• November 22, 2009 10:37 a.m.

  why would u take something that u have no need for? everyone i have taken care of on exelon was rude, mean and violent to the point now i will not care for anyone on it I have been a caregiver for over 20 years now. I was so affraid to take my mother in law off the stuff untill i did a lot of research. well all it says if you miss several doses to start it back up gradualy I was so amazed at the improvement afterwards not talking troble walking all that disapeared overnight! I have no regrets and you will have to decide and make your own decision. Good Luck as all this can be very nerve racking Don't let it get to you what will be will be. So we just have to make the best of it Try StJohnswart for the mood that is what i used for MIL

  - sue

• November 20, 2009 2:34 p.m.

  My husband was diagnosed a couple of years ago with alzheimers but recently the neurologist told us he doesn't have it, but to continue taking Exelon patch. But there is something wrong with him that has never been addressed. He is beginning to act out in restaurants over pricing and also at Walmart he quacked like a duck at an immigrant who was speaking spanish on his cell phone. He constantly is arguing politics, especially with our sons. Please give me some help here. Thanks

  - marilyn

• November 13, 2009 8:48 a.m.

  There is a song called "Remember Me" about the relationship between a grandson and his grandmother who becomes afflicted with Alzheimer's. Very beautiful, encouraging and powerful. www.myspace.com/akrehbiel Thank you for your Alzheimer's advocacy! -Allen

  - Allen

• November 8, 2009 10:09 p.m.

  Hi... To everyone who has a loved one suffering from Alzheimers: I started a blog for those who have a loved one suffering from AD. This blog is mean to be a posting of my personal experiences in being the primary caregiver for my mother who was diagnosed with AD about 5 years ago. I want to share my experiences with others so that they can read and know someone understands the everyday struggles the caregiver and family goes through. When we found out my mother had AD, we researched all the websites and talked with the professionals, but very few of these prepared us for what lay ahead. In fact, looking back, I realize now how completely unprepared we were for AD and how it was going to affect not only the life of our mother, but also our lives. So many aspects of this horrible disease are not known. With this blog, I hope to share all of our experiences and have others respond and discuss their experiences. It's so important for us to share and support each other. http://alzsupporthome.blogspot.com

  - Carol

• November 2, 2009 7:57 p.m.

  To Barb (June 29) - instead of zoloft, lexapro might help with the anxiety. My sister, 59, for the last few months, forgets many important things, such as what hospital she had her babies at and she forgot that our mother passed away this year in March. She seems very confused during our conversations. Our grandmother went "senile" and would go to other people's houses thinking it was hers, etc. My sister's husband has asked her to go see a doctor and I have too, but she refuses. She gets angry. Does it would like she has AD? How can we get her medical care?

  - Sandy

• October 30, 2009 4:05 p.m.

  Reply to Brenda- Yes, we have gone through Pat asking to die, begging to die. I think it is part of the disease because if I ask her what is wrong she sas nothing and doesn't even realize she is doing it.

  - Chris

• October 28, 2009 8:47 a.m.

  Can I suggest a book that may be helpful to you and your readers? It is called "Til Death Do Us Part" by Suzanne Johnson. It's a short paperback written about the day-to-day activities of the author's father and his love for his wife as he cared for her during a 15-year struggle. It's quite a moving book. You can find out more here: http://www.alzstory.com/

  - Tim

• October 21, 2009 8:13 a.m.

  just last week I told my friend that I must have Alzheimer because I can never remember anything and as I get older I am getting nervous that I will forget my daughters name like that other day I missed pronounced my daughters name and I just laughed it off like "I just gave you another name".I don't remember my childhood, I could not tell you the last movie that i'v seen nor what happened in it. In my mind I thought that only older people could get Alzheimer's. This is scary how could I go to a doc at 39yrs of age and tell them that I can't remember anything. This is embarrassing especially when I am at a time in my life that I am really trying to find myself and place on this earth.

  - effee

• October 18, 2009 8:05 p.m.

  My mother is rapidly progressing thru stage "6". I don't want her suffering. I want to know if I should keep taking her to doctors and dentists for ailments not associated with her disease. She is not enjoying her life and is frustrated with her dementia. I want to keep her comfortable but I don't want to prolong her suffering. I just don't know how to handle this.

  - Jill

• October 15, 2009 3:31 p.m.

  My husband who is 72 has AD for 3 years He is now getting very agitated mostly at family. I am his caregiver and getting ready for back surgery. The kids are afraid they will not be able to handle him. They are pushing me to do paperwork to have him put away. I handle him fine and not ready to make that move. I need someone who can give me some counsel other than family.

  - Brenda

• October 1, 2009 1:26 p.m.

  My mother is 90 and has been in a nursing home since May of this year. She has dementia/Alzheimers. Her doctor says she should not live alone. She cries most of the time now and says she wants to go home and if she can't go home she wants to die. Has anyone else had this experience?

  - Deanna

• September 29, 2009 4:06 p.m.

  I really enjoy the articles on this blog. After caring for my great grandfather for over a year I built the site AlzMall.com. I am really looking for those who are passionate about Alzheimer's care to contribute articles, stories, or just general information to my site.

  - Jerry

• September 24, 2009 4:06 p.m.

  Just found out that my inlaws couldn't afford their medicine so they stopped buying Aricept for my mother-in-law a few months ago. Will it be effective for her to resume taking Aricept?

  - Doris

• September 23, 2009 11:34 a.m.

  I found a great site where families can find a list of companies that makes tracking device’s for Alzheimer’s patients. Here is the web site address: www.elderoptionsoftexas.com/article_alzheimers_gps_tracking_devices.htm

  - Lynn

• September 22, 2009 8:39 a.m.

  THIS WOULD BE AN INTERESTING RESEARCH STUDY!Recently read about a woman with an extraordinary memory who remembers just about everyday in her adult life. The key to her amazing memory was that she keeps going over & over her past as if she had an endless recording in her head, she also keeps very detailed records of her everyday life. On the other side are the people that do not spend much time thinking about the past, don't think that much about the present but spent most of their time thinking about everything in the future. My research question is: Has there been a comparative study on this two types of "memory"? Are people that are focused more on the past less prone to alzheimers vs those who do not use their memory to "record" their past but rather keep focused on the future?

  - George

• September 20, 2009 6:23 p.m.

  One older women asked me if I would go to confession with her and I didn't think that it was appropriate. She was probably in her mid 70's. Do older people with Ad sometimes forget that we aren't in the Great Depression anymore?

  - Ian

• September 20, 2009 6:20 p.m.

  Does anyone out there have older strangers in their 70's-90's ask you what you do and you find it annying? Someone who lives near my house posted a sign on a wodden poll near his houuse and it has his opinion kids should "Move Out" and "Pay as they go". That sign really distrubed me and caused me anxiety.

  - Ian

• September 13, 2009 6:26 p.m.

  Great blog . Thanks http://alzheimersandmomblog.blogspot.com/

  - karen

• September 8, 2009 2:14 p.m.

  My mothers caregiver is my father age 92. He talks to her and reads to her. She sits in a chair like she's sleeping, but she isn't. He says"Dotty" and she opens her eyes. I visit every few weeks and am grateful that she still knows me. I keep testing.

  - cheryl

• September 7, 2009 9:25 a.m.

  September 7, 2009 M mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 5 years ago and I know how difficult dealing with this disease is. I have used humor as a tool for getting through this time and I suggest that each of you out there do the same. Don't be afraid to admit to yourself and out loud that although you love your parent there are times when you have that thought that it would be easier for you and your family if they were not here anymore. I believe that it's OK to have these thoughs and express them. After all, it is true. Anyway, back to humor. I would like to story. My mom went through a very long stage of not wanting to shower. For a very long time I was the only person she would allow to help her (I was always a lucky gal). This gave other family members a great OUT and showering my mother helped me to stay on my diet. As I would take me mom into the bathroom to prepare her for her dreaded shower she would curse, yell and swear she took a shower the night before. One day, I remembered how my mom loved to sing the old tunes, she was actually a very good singer. As I began to undress her I asked her if she would sing the song April Showers with me and help me with the words. Well, Betty (my mom) started belting out the tune. Singing distracted her for brief moments. It went something like this... When April Showers (F You), May Come your Way (I took a shower last night) they bring the flowers (go F yourself) that bloom in May - you get the picture

  - Lisa

• September 6, 2009 1:12 p.m.

  Despite the research that wages on, the etiology of AD is still unknown. The fact remains that AD is a profoundly isolating experience for the victim and the family members affected. With modern medical advances we are living longer than ever before. One risk factor that is not disputed is that advancing age increases the risk of developing AD. Most families affected know that AD is not a normal part of aging, but I am not clear if that fact is known across a cross-section of society at large. Ironically since we are able to live longer lives, we do not seem to pay much attention or honor our aged members of society. We are still a youth-driven culture. It is quite a sad statement. I do believe writing about the experience, in the form of blogs or memoir can provide a bit of hope and some form of a healing experience for those family members affected. My mother was diagnosed with AD in 1979, before the internet or the Alzheimer’s Association existed as we know it today. As a seventeen year old at the time, I am certain that I would have appreciated any information and connectedness the internet now offers. As a physician who has treated many patients with AD over the years, I know the devastating isolation remains a destructive force for all involved. I hope in the future to find even more information and support in the form of these blogs, and sincerely hope other health institutions follow Mayo’s example in providing this supportive blog.

  - Joseph

• September 6, 2009 11:19 a.m.

  I meant to say thanks for all the great info. I need all the help I can get. http://alzheimersandmomblog.blogspot.com/

  - karen

• September 6, 2009 11:17 a.m.

  thanks for all the ghttp://alzheimersandmomblog.blogspot.com/

  - karen

• September 4, 2009 7:16 a.m.

  Blogging for caregivers is very helpful in maintaining their sanity and feelings of being productive. Check out this fledgling attempt to cope in a rural environment at http://hazidaze.blogspot.com/2009/08/keep-it-simple.html

  - Barb

• September 4, 2009 1:12 a.m.

  Its really appreciable Task you people carrying out at your research center.Peoples caught in Alzheimer really need care and proper treatment. You said true that care partners for Alzheimer's patients are generally husbands and wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, and sometimes sons, grandchildren and friends. I found one article, according to that Intel Lab is developing a new care partner that is AI, AI to Assist Alzheimer's Patients. But i want to tell you one more Fact which i discover after a lot of searching and goggling and that is how to lower the risk of such diseases. Luckily i found it on " www.fuelthemind.com " under section Nutrition->nutrition_articles. That Article real informative and help peoples to avoid or lowering the risk of certain diseases such as Alzheimer. What will be the Best food for Brain? 1)Salmon and Sardine: Fatty fish oils. 2)Fitting the free radicals: Tomatoes. 3)B vitamin complex: Go for wholegrain.(Vitamins B6 B12 and folic acid) 4)Blueberry brain food. 5)Get your Zinc on: Pumpkin seeds. 6)Better than oranges for the brain: Blackcurrants. 7)Brain power foods - Gimmy' broccoli. 8)Lay it for me - Eggs.(Vitamin E). More info you can find there as i mention above.

  - Smith