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• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• June 8, 2009 10:15 p.m.

  My father has moderate to severe alzheimers. My mother is his caregiver. She will be out of town for 5 days and I will be taking care of him. I live out of state and thought it would be nice for him to come to my house for a change of scenery and a chance to do some different things. Would it be better for me to stay with him at his house or would it be a good idea for him to come to my home?

  - Karen

• June 8, 2009 11:29 a.m.

  As part of my work as an artist manager, I shepherded the publication of over 15 books and worked with very successful New York literary agents and publishers. Now I am working on a book about with my mother living with Alzheimer’s and the sorties of other’s dealing with a loved one affected by this disease. I am looking for real life humorous stories relating to Alzheimer’s for this book, Remembering Alzheimer’s.   http://rememberingalzheimers.typepad.com/ 

  - D. L.

• June 5, 2009 11:03 p.m.

  my son age 40 was diagnosed 3 months ago with early on-set dementia. Also the Psychiatrist called the diagnosis psudo-demntia. with severe depression. test were done in Portland Or famous oshu hospital. The only treatment was zolot which he is taking. My doctor feels there should be another drug presribed for him incase zoloft sends him into a high where would have no defence to this happening. He will need further treatment and they gave him 2 refills of zolot when he left the hosp. He is now living with is mother, has applied for social security benefits but I'm not sure he is getting out-patient treatment in Charleston W>VA. I am very concerned for him.

  - Rich

• June 2, 2009 7:51 p.m.

  My friend of 55 years was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease today. Her symptoms suggest she's in the early stage, but she's had the symtoms for at least two years. Is the progression of stage 1 to stage 2 different for everyone, or can someone tell me the approximate amount of time until she reaches stage 2. Thank you for any information you can give me.

  - -Margot

• May 31, 2009 9:33 a.m.

  Hi, my mum who is 62 was diagnosed with Alzheimers 18 months ago she had to go into a nursing home as she lived on her own & doctors said she could not look after herself (my dad died 1992 aged 47 - cancer) she was a happy-go-lucky woman, loved bowling, dancing , driving & was always out & about.In the past few weeks she has gotten worse, this past week Doctors claim she does not have Alzheimers but has pre-senile dementia which is progressing at a rapid rate.As I live in Florida I wont get to see her until August when I go home for the month.I talk to my mum every second day, the same conversations but at least we hear each others voices.I have 1 brother & 2 sisters who all live in Dublin close to my mum, my sister asked the Dr what is the life expectancy and his reply was just enjoy the time with her now sooner than later. Does anybody know the life expectancy of pre-senile dementia patients? I worry that something will happen before August & I cant get home until then. The tablets she has been on for the past two years has had basically no effect on slowing down this disease.Does anybody know of anyone that has pre-senile dementia that could fill me in on what to expect? I or should I say we are prepared for the worst & to be honest if my mum could step out of her life and look in she would not want the life she has now, I know nobody would but it is heartbreaking to see how she has deteriated over the past 2 years.Sorry if I went on & on.Thanks

  - Joyce

• May 27, 2009 2:38 p.m.

  Check out www.shakelooseamemory.com. This company specializes in games for people living with dementia and alzheimers. The games are excellent, affordable and help people reconstruct "real-life" memories. They have a variety of games to choose from - all utilizing cards and dice.

  - Christine Tager

• May 24, 2009 11:44 a.m.

  my mother has had alzh. for about 8 yrs; & is declining steadily. But in the last 2 yrs has gotten this extreme skin rash/ consitiions (she's on same med's as b-fore condition began). she's been to several dr.s & specialists; had bi-opsies;etc-and been put on a myriad of treatments- anti-biotics; prednisone;benedryl & other anti anxiety/histamines; & topical stuff. NO ONE can find a root cause; but some Dr.s have suggested its a COMPULSIVE DISORDER relating to Alzh.-(but she continues to be red; & blotchy...)- Has anyone experienced symtoms such as this in an Alz. patient? _ & if so; what have you done to keep the person from CONSTANTLY scratching?

  - Sue

• May 20, 2009 3:40 p.m.

  I find any card game works. My mother will be not present and then I'll suggest a card game. It can be gin w/ the 2 of us or a more complex game we play with 5 others. Once the game starts, she generally beats us all!

  - Deborah Levin

• May 18, 2009 9:08 p.m.

  Hi, I am looking for suggestions regarding games that people with early Alzheimer's could play to maintain some degree of interaction and exercise of their mind.I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you

  - Lourdes

• May 15, 2009 1:30 p.m.

  Sorry, I didn't realize my comment below would cut before getting to the end. My blog for your stories and to read other stories is: http://rememberingalzheimers.typepad.com/ And again - thank you!

  - Deborah Levin

• May 15, 2009 1:24 p.m.

  I am looking for real life humorous stories relating to Alzheimer's. This is a dark, serious disease and I hope that my desire to receive stories that offer laughter is not misconstrued as offensive. My hope is to provide levity. The intent is not to make fun of anyone's situation but hopefully by laughing we will survive easier, talk more openly, and be better caretakers of ourselves and others. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's several years ago. My mother is not who she used to be, but once I began to see her sense of humor, which still exists, and share her stories - often back at her and often with others, I began to feel healthier. This ability to see the humor and the silliness has allowed me to be with my mother, rather than back off from fear and frustration. I have been a better daughter and have given my mother better care. My mother's condition is not a secret nor should my mother be a secret. We know the horrors, I want to share the comical which will open doors of the unspoken. I treat my mother with dignity and honor, but I can still see utter madness and craziness of her behavior - which can be very funny. The HBO series currently airing people shows with Alzheimer’s having a discussion around a table with their caregivers. One man states there is a lot of ‘memory humor’ out there. Another man responds with ‘you can't cry all the time, you have to be able to laugh'. He then inadvertently made a memory 'mistake' that he and everyone else laughed abo

  - Deborah Levin

• May 11, 2009 9:07 p.m.

  Although my mother does not have Alzheimer's, she does have some memory issues. My problem is that she is very resistant to taking her medications (blood pressure, diabetes, etc). There are quite a few meds to take both morning and night. Crushing does not work because she is still very sensitive to the taste. Since it is dangerous not to take meds regularly, I am seeking any strategies that might work......she hates swallowing pills....My father attempts to administer them during the day and I administer them at night......although I have somewhat better luck, it is far from foolproof.

  - No name given

• May 6, 2009 4:32 p.m.

  My mother is 78 and was diagnosed with Dementia a few years back. I have become her primary caregiver but I am having many problems with my father. Since my mother's diagnosis, my father has altered my mother's will, medical power of attorney, living will, trust, etc. I was the trustee to their trust, but have since been removed by my father. My father considers his Teamster's pension, his Social Security and their trust as all his. He believes that my mother only has $380 a month from Social Security. I am given $300 a month to feed and take care of her (not enough). I take her to all her medical appointments and a senior day facility. I also make sure she takes her medications daily. I spend an enormous amount of time with her and she has improved considerably. My father does not want to take care of her. He wants nothing to do with her. He wants to put her in a nursing home (against her own doctor's advice). There are many other serious issues. I filed a complaint with the State Adult Protective Services for Neglect and Exploitation. They said they would offer mediation and help. Instead, I was told that my mother is my father's property and he can do whatever he wants with his property and papers. I was utterly disgusted. I filed a complaint about this response with the Govenor, Risk Management, and the Department Secretary. In response, I was told that they were sorry for the misunderstanding but they stand by their decision. I am lost and don't know what to do.

  - Al

• May 6, 2009 4:18 p.m.

  Alzheimer's is a very dear subject to my heart! I enjoy reading about the issue. I only can hope that one day we as americans can put a stop to this awful disease. Thanks for keep america updated on the issue.

  - Shineka Jones

• May 4, 2009 12:59 p.m.

  My mom is 55 and is experiencing severe dementia. She has a masters and was very successful.... Now she can't read, take a shower or even feed the dogs. She watches TV all day and is starting to make up stories.... I am not sure what to do. There is no evidence of Alz in her family on either side. Could this be caused by a chemical imbalance? any ideas?

  - dawn

• April 28, 2009 12:06 a.m.

  May be it will be of interest of those who wants to be effective against AD.I am talking about the so called Brain Software which I've created as a result of 32 years of effort to activate deep unconscienece structures of Brain and through that permanently keep Brain specifically stable.We through years inevitaly losing power of Cortex.And only hope to avoid that ---Connect Cortex with Subcortex with help of Brain Software.I have now full proof that soft works and ready to help those who wants to prevent AD.

  - Albert

• April 22, 2009 9:22 a.m.

  I'm 46 and I have early-on-set Alz. Why did this happen to me? What in my brain suddenly decided to stop remembering? I can drive, dress myself, cook...but when I want to find something immediately, I can't remember where the thing I was needing was. Recalls are sometimes slow. I get very angry at myself and I don't want people to know about my condition. It's like having ADD plus I 'm starting perimenopause! Great ! Whats next? What should I do? I workout, do crosswords but...

  - gammij

• April 17, 2009 4:38 p.m.

  Wanted to let you know that my mother experienced a similar episode, could not complete a sentence, slumped over on the couch, jaw hanging down, basically 'asleep'. Doc's called it an 'altered state episode' and it lasted about 7 hrs. After Mom rec'd fluids, she came out of it slowly, and seemed normal that evening. They said maybe it was her Alz, maybe dehydration, but basically a seizure of undiagnosed cause. She was visiting with me from her home out of state. My sister promptly put her on a plane and sent her back to her apartment - alone, unable to effectively take her medication, and without follow up medical care.

  - minisaezme

• April 17, 2009 6:24 a.m.

  I am trying to find out more info. My father was diagnosed sometime ago but he has a symptom that I can not find in research so far. Dad will all the sudden feel the need to lay down and will suddenly forget things(the day, where he is,etc) but he always remembers my mom. He goes into a slight comma state and may stay that way for several hours comming out slowly and having memory problems at first. The Emergeny ward and his Drs have said the cause was his alzhimers, reflux, his heart but nothing ever shows up on any test. Does anyone else out there have this sympton?

  - mommomgri

• April 2, 2009 11:51 a.m.

  Hi, does Alzheimer`s desease affect people under the age of 30.

  - John?

• March 29, 2009 7:51 a.m.

  hello, i was diagnosed with early onset of ad. i will be 67 next month. i came across an article that said a person died of early stage of ad. my question is how does one actually die of ad? is it painful? do you reaize that you are dying?

  - liz

• March 23, 2009 5:55 a.m.

  Hello, My mom was diagnosed with AD about 2 1/2 years ago and COPD about 1 year ago. She is doing okay. There are good days and bad days. Has anyone ever heard of a product called MAXGXL? I am hearing good comments from a variety of people who are using it, primarily what is catching my attention is that it seems to help the energy level of people with chronic, long term diseases, like cancer. I am going to talk with my mom's FMD in a couple of weeks and see if this might be something to try for her. If there is anything I can try, that won't harm her, I would like to try. The worse thing about this product is that it is one of those pyramid companies. The people I know who are buying it are not dealers. I would buy off of the internet.

  - Christina

• March 17, 2009 10:09 p.m.

  Hi Everyone. I wanted to pass along information about the ICARA (Bapi) study (www.icarastudy.com) if you or someone you know has a diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. The goal of the Bapi study is to explore if an investigational drug can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no charge to participate, and a medical team, including a physician, will monitor participants throughout the study. It is important for patients and families affected by Alzheimer's to consider participating in clinical studies. Clinical studies that test new treatments are the best chance we have for fighting this disease.

  - ICARA Study

• February 12, 2009 12:50 a.m.

  We just took mom to Hawaii for 9days. It was good but also saw a lot of basic duties my mom now needs help with. How do I talk with my dad about we are trying to help as much as possible but perhaps he needs to suck it up a little more. Sometimes I think my dad contributes to the confusion/behavior by wanting to continue to take my mom to all these social events and travel to their vacation home in Scandinavia twice a year for 2months each? Feeling guilty and trying to do as much as possibly can. I feel like I have lost myself. Thank you for letting me vent.

  - flygirlalaska

• February 12, 2009 12:43 a.m.

  My mother has had alzheimers for the last 8 yrs. Doing quite well until about a year ago. I am really starting to see the signs of this ughly disease. I'm not quite sure how my dad is dealing with it. He has been quite spoiled all his life. My mother was the rock in our family and took care of everyone and everything. Now she needs our help and it has been really hard to get all 5 siblings to step up to the plate and help out my dad. I realize he is not in an easy position and I sometimes think he forgets my moms behavior is the disease and not really my mom. My sister and I do most of the help so my dad can have a break. He has now informed us that he needs 2- 3 days off per week and wants a 3day weekend to himself once a month. This is after just taking a 2week vacation my himself where us kids helped to take care of mom. My big issue is that I am tryng to do as much as possible along with raising two toddlers on my own because my husband is gone so much, My mom has gone back to her native tongue and gets frustrated with my kids when they don't listen to her and she thinks they are disrepecting her. It hurts me to see her get mad at the kids when they don't understand. HOw am I to deal with this? I feel guilty if I don't help out more and at the same time I'm loosing myself since I have no time for me or to keep up with my house. I feel guilty at night because I get short with my kids since I feel like I need to be doing more at home and unable to keep up.

  - flygirlalaska