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• September 7, 2010 10:36 p.m.

  My mother has been in a memory care unit 2 yrs. I have been shocked how she has declined physically. 2yrs ago she could walk, now she is in a wheelchair and feeble.I can't help but feel guilty that she wouldn't be in this condition if I hadn't put her in a home.

  - mary

• September 2, 2010 5:51 a.m.

  I'm going to ask everyone for a lot of honesty and help. I drive, live alone, have good friends, etc. and have just been told that I have alzheimers. I was pt on the exelon patch. Being of I thought of sound mind, would like to know realisticly how much time others have had with being able to live alone from the time they were told. I really seem to want/need this information so that I can plan things, change things if I should decide I need to. Don't be afraid to tell me, just please tell me the truth. It will help me make decisions while I am able, etc. I hate this for my children. Some are in other states. God bless you and thank you for helping me.

  - Mildred

• August 27, 2010 6:42 p.m.

  My Mom (age62) is just now starting Aricept. She hasn't offically been diagnosed as having Alzheimers disease. Although, she doesn't know the date, time, month or year. She drives (very well, carefully, to the speed limit and seems very alert). She hates Doctors and refuses to be seen. She gets hostle towards them and us (three grown daughters). My Mom used to be so friendly and free spirited. My sisters and I have found that since the 'semi-dianosis', we have felt moments of complete sadness and helplessness. We just want our Mom back. She used to love shopping and going to the casino, dating, laughing, traveling etc. Now she just has a glazed emptiness look in her eyes. We are also wondering if she has the type of AD where it is passed down through genes. Does anyone know more about that? My Mom is the only one amongst her many brothers and sisters or parents that have this 'early on-set'. Could it just be demensia? Please excuse my spelling. I don't know what to do. I called her just now and asked if she wanted to go shopping with me after my work and her response is always "I guess, if you need me". I don't know. Do any of you live in AZ? I sure wish my Mom could meet someone her age (a man?) and go through this with arms to hold each other. I hate that she is single and facing the beginning of the end so soon. It breaks my heart. I can only imagine what it does to hers. :(

  - Michelle

• August 26, 2010 10:57 a.m.

  This is a great blog idea, I hope that through others we can learn more for a cure. http://www.brittanyhouseactivcare.com

  - alzheimers care long beach

• August 25, 2010 2:28 p.m.

  richard--------- and others my wife was declared a severe alzheimer's case over a year ago----- i have been giving her about 1 oz of turmericpowder/week-------we think that is showing some signs of a slight turn around---------try it --- it is safe, inexpensive and easy to find and to use------google alzheimer's/ tumreic/ucla ------------- there lots of sites for more information-----try it ---what's the risk?

  - gary hHdfaC

• August 20, 2010 9:37 a.m.

  Dementia? One day my mother in law is alert - however - somewhat confused. The following day she is almost incoherent. Are drastic swings common in dementia cases?

  - Ron

• August 19, 2010 3:42 p.m.

  The Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) is involved in an amazing opportunity through the Kiani Foundation, and with the support from you can help make a huge impact! If ASO gathers enough votes between now and December 31, 2010 in the www.winavote.com contest, $20,000 will be donated to the ASiO Strategic Investment Fund. Please help support the Alzheimer Society of Ontario by going to http://winavote.com/vote.php Please follow these instructions for voting to ensure your vote registers: 1. Click the VOTE NOW beside the Alzheimer Society of Ontario's name 2. Submit your information – name and email (must be a valid email address) 3. A validation email will be sent to that email address (it may be in your junk mail) 4. In the email it tells you to CLICK HERE to verify your vote, this will open up a new browser window back on the www.winavote.com page 5. Watch the short, randomly generated charity video 6. Once the video is complete, a green button will appear above the video screen - click the CONFIRM YOUR VOTE HERE button 7. You will receive a second email confirming your vote for the day! HELP US SPREAD THE WORD We also need your help to spread this to everyone you know. The more people that know ASO is participating in the www.winavote.com contest and that have access to clicking to win, the better chance we have of receiving the $20,000 donation! Post the link to www.winavote.com on your Facebook and Twitter accounts or send it via email to all your contacts ask

  - Alzheimers

• August 17, 2010 2:11 a.m.

  I am 48 and have early onset dementia it took me four years to get diagnosed. I was already 100% disabled a wounded warrior from Afghanistan. It all started following my first heart attack at least that when my wife noticed something was wrong. Since I was so young and a combat vet they said I was depressed or that I had PTSD I knew this was wrong but no one believed us. We finally found the right doctor and I was given the mini mental state exam and I scored a 22 out of 30. This past month I have felt relief knowing that yes there is something wrong but also the fear of the unknown. I have an 18 year old son what can I tell him I want be here for you when you need me the most. I will never see my grandchildren grow up. I was really looking forward to spoiling grandkids. I did have a great life I have done most everything I wanted to do now I will fight this and I want let it win.

  - Richard

• August 16, 2010 7:36 p.m.

  Marie, does your mother take any type of prescribed sleep medication? My mom would wake up countless times a night and scare me to death standing in my doorway. I work full time and the lack of sleep was starting to wear on me. Her doc now has her taking Ambien and she sleeps all night and is rested and relaxed the next day.

  - Sheri

• August 12, 2010 11:21 a.m.

  I NEED HELP! My mother-in-law has AD. Our biggest problem is her getting up during the nite and removing feces from her diaper and urinating in bed. Her fluid intake is limited, but still continues to wake up wet and the walls are feces-lined. She is put to bed with dementia "gloves" but manages to get out. It gets tiring to have to strip linens everyday, give her a shower upon waking everyday and washing down walls. Outside of this she is a VERY nice, mild-mannered woman. Any suggestions?

  - Marie

• August 5, 2010 3:25 p.m.

  Very informative. Great Blog!!! For help with your search for an assisted living facility check out silvercensus.com!

  - Sue

• August 2, 2010 8:41 p.m.

  My mom has AD and is in a nursing home since breaking her hip in April. She has gone downhill so rapidly---it's hard to fathom. She also picked up "C-Def" during the same time frame. She has been on antibiotics since April and can't seem to get it under control. My sister and I go and feed her all of her meals because it is so difficult to get her to eat. They have her on countless drugs. She yells alot and they would like to control it more. She also acts as if she itches all the time to the point that she wants to tear at her clothes. This is all so painful---watching her have apparent psychotic breaks and seeing her so upset. The neurologist said she is in the later stage---how long can this go on???

  - Julie

• August 2, 2010 1:37 p.m.

  My mother was diagnosed 7 years ago after years of delay by me and my siblings. She was still able to mask her symptoms and the family was in gross denial. At that stage she manifested the usual early warning signs of a changed personality by being combative, sarcastic and unwilling to see the doctor. Since then she has become yes more forgetful and weak but calmer and happier. All I can say to those whose loved ones may be at the beginning stages is that you and your family can get expert information and support on the Alzheimer's hot line and at support groups. Learning the stages of the disease and how best to communicate with our loved one is key to everyone's survival and peace. I can't stress enough how helpful knowledge is and how harmful denial is for the sufferer and the family. My mother is not the problem actually--it's the family's refusal to accept the reality and to acknowledge my mother's existence, as reduced as it may be. I can deal with my mother's long, excruciatingly slow decline over 13 years but not the family attitudes and actions. Education, acceptance and outreach for support will help you through.

  - kfl

• August 2, 2010 10:27 a.m.

  My Mom has been getting increasingly more forgetful and she is starting to act angry and agitated especially at my Dad. My brothers and I got her to agree to go see a doctor. She thinks we are all crazy but she is going. The appointment is not until August 11th and my Dad called this morning and asked me how he is suppose to handle her "forgetful" episodes. I told him that I didn't know but I would find out and in the mean time my personal, non-professional, opionion was that he should tactfully point out that she is remembering incorrectly. She gets very upset with him but I don't think he should lie to her. What is the right way to handle her when she remembers one way but that is not the way it happened?

  - Donna

• July 30, 2010 4:32 a.m.

  My mom was experiencing severe paranoia and my husband and I had to do an involuntary admission into a psychiatric geriatric unit of a leading hospital. She was admitted for 1 month and it has been very difficult for me as an only child. She has been put on risperidone and is now less anxious - but she is forgettful. It makes me feel sad that the mom that I grew up with is no longer around. I lost my dad to a brain tumor 15 years ago which in some ways seemed easier than an illness of dementia. I feel strongly about keeping her home in the environment she is used to - although she resists caregivers because of her independent personality. At the hospitals suggestion, I went to visit dementia facilities - but I just cannot bring myself to admit her to a place like that. I found 2 great caregivers and trying to help her not be so resistant to having someone in the home. I have help off on evening care because she sleeps thru the night at this point. I find it very soothing to read the attached blogs- to know I am not alone. I keep up the faith - hoping her illness stabilizes...and the medication slows down some of the progression. She appears to have cataracts..I am nervous to have her go thru this surgery at this point - does anyone have any thoughts..Fortunately, my husband and 2 teenage children have been great, but I worry that I am not my normal joyful self- so I try to hide my feelings. To all of you in this blog- you are in my prayers.

  - Karen

• July 29, 2010 4:11 p.m.

  My husband 79 yrs old wants to have a shoulder replacement done in Aug. I have read some info in chat rooms that it can cause problems with AD?? Has anyone had bad experiences with surgery?

  - Mae

• July 27, 2010 12:31 p.m.

  Great Blog!! For help with your search for an assisted living facility check out silvercensus.com!

  - Sue Bailey

• July 23, 2010 8:57 p.m.

  My Dad has dementia & Alzheimer's, this is one heck of a journey. He is a wonderful man and we are trying to keep him at home as long as we can. We have care coming in a couple of nights a week due to his not sleeping at night and someone comes in a few hours two days a week, but it is not enough and so expensive . Any sleeping suggestions would be appreciated.

  - Charlotte

• July 23, 2010 8:31 p.m.

  I would like to speak for the working, walking and talking people with dementia. I am considered within the acceptable area. This means I can forget how to do things that I have done all my life but the professionals don't consider it a problem. I have to put up with ridicule at work because I can't do things as well or I forget how to do them, I occasionally get lost when driving, I forget my co-workers names (but funny enough not their faces) and I stopped dating because I would forget my boyfriend's family and friends names. There are many, many of us out there. And there is nothing that can be done.

  - Ann

• July 23, 2010 11:25 a.m.

  Thank you for your invaluable information.

  - Terry

• July 23, 2010 8:55 a.m.

  I just found this blog today, Thank -you! The number of people with similar experiences is staggering. I journal everyday to help keep my prospective on life and deal with my mother's alzheimer's. Recently a friend suggested that I do this publicly so that family and friends can keep up on mom and I have a way to share my experience with others. I just started a blog,http://memomandalzheimers.blogspot.com/ this week...we'll see whether it helps or not. I wish I had gotten Sandi's advice in 2004. I took a family leave when mom had breast cancer and could no longer care for herself because of her alzheimer's. Had I known about medicade I would have definitly applied. Caring for someone I love and lossing my income at the same was very stressful! I had to put mom in assisted living after 9 months, not because I wanted to but because financially I had to. Hind sight is always 20/20. Keep the comments coming someone will find what you have to say very helpful.

  - Mary Ellen

• July 18, 2010 7:07 p.m.

  Sue- I don't know what state u live in, but I live in Utah. And here, even tho I never took advantage of it, I was told that u can apply 4 medicaid 4 your husband. Telling them u need financial help,and they will pay u 2 stay home and care 4 him 24-7.that includes his meds,(free)and any supplies u need. They do this because it's cheaper 4 the state 2 pay a family member. (the last I heard, $2,500.00 amonth)- than it is 2 pay 4 their care in a nursing home.U should check with Department of family services. I'm sure it applies in most states.But they don't advertise it,I noticed. So a lot of ppl miss out and struggle thru it themselves. Good luck 2 u and yours.

  - sandi

• July 18, 2010 6:46 p.m.

  Pam- I feel so sad 4 u,having 2 c your dad in such pain. Over, and over. I know exactly how u feel.I'm not a religious person,so I don't pray, but I wish the best 4 u, always.And 4 anyone else that's having 2 go thru this horrible ordeal.

  - sandi

• July 18, 2010 6:33 p.m.

  4 Angela Lunde-and whoever else I need 2 thank! If u r the one responsible 4 starting this wonderful, and informative blog, thank u so much. Even tho my experience is over, it's so nice 2 be able 2 read the stories so many ppl had, the same as mine. it just makes me feel better, knowing I wasn't a bad person 4 feeling the way I did at certain times when things got so stressful I just wanted 2 give up./

  - sandi

• July 18, 2010 6:05 p.m.

  This is such an interesting subject, and all of your stories are so interesting. All so different, but also the same.Especially since I have 1st -hand knowledge and experience.when I was going thru this with my husband, and my mom,at the same time, I felt like I was all alone. My husband passed last year, and my mom 5 yrs. ago. But everything is still so fresh in my mind. I believe that the care-giver goes thru much more than the patient. Because we love them so much,we put up with anything trying 2 help. And in the end,I'm glad I went thru it.It's made me amuch better person.Because I know that I did the best I could,whether they realized it, or not. Love, respect,and good luck I'm hopeing 4 all of u. You're all angels!!

  - sandi