Alzhiemers

[Jeffju]

Has anyone got an elderly parent in the early stages of alzhiemers?

[ACtheTROLL]

don't envy you ... at the beginning not much difference between dippy old codger and alz - they know enough to lie their way out of most situations - and explain away those you catch them out with.

ma in law passed the doctors "tests" with flying colours ... knew the date ... could count backward in 7s ... knew birthdays ....

after much argument (9 months) doc persuaded to refer her ... specialist visited and quizzed her ... still knew all answers ... except mixed facts about husband and father.
and as a keen Gardner called her favourite daffs daisies - and then it was more and more obvious

having finally found a weakness he pressed on and satisfied himself it was serious.

not the best experience in world proving that she was only partly with us.

best advice we got was not to correct her ...
if she was mistaken ... she forgot - if corrected she argued ... became distressed

[McMouse]

I can't remember.

[ACtheTROLL]

funny McMouse ...
You must have a very local type
affected your memory but it's not stopped you being a w@nker

can you feel your legs ... insensitivity can make you numb below as well as above the sholders

[Dollie]

yes Jeff - my lovely dad - seven years into the AD now, he's now 80 and its been a very steady decline. Not v noticable in the early days, but much more so now. Dad was lucky tho, he was put on Aricept straight away following diagnosis, and I do believe that it has helped slow the progression of the illness down. He is still at home with my mum and has a good quality of life although he cant go out alone on his daily walks now, but he still watches TV and chats to us all - often making sense. i hope you are coping ok Jeff, and the rest of your family. God bless x

[Dollie]

lol at ACtheTROLL response to Mc Mouse - what a plonker - loved your response Troll.

[Jeffju]

Yes, I hope McMouse's brain cell doesn't deteriorate too quickly. It's a sad thing that if he/she reaches the age of 80 and is diagnosed with Alzhiemers they won't remember how insensitive they were to other people.

My Dad has just died and my Mum has been diagnosed with early Alzhiemers so I feel I have lost them both really.

Her short term memory is awful and seems totally disorientated with time. I will be out of the room for 5 minutes and she will think I have been gone for hours.

She is living on her own at the moment but it can't continue, I just hope I am doing the right thing looking into putting her into a 'Care' environment eventually.

[naomi24]

Often, Jeffju, there is no alternative but to seek care, so please don't feel bad about that. You have to do what you think is best. I have some considerable experience of this terrible disease in both my personal life, and in my professional life, and my heart goes out to you.

No one knows what the future holds, but for those morons who think Alzeimers is a joke - it isn't! Just hope it never affects you or yours.

[Dollie]

Chin up Jeff - u sound like a lovely caring son. Are you getting all the help you can from the NHS etc. Have you been offered any carer's support, and is you mum having a regular visit from 'memory' nurse? I hope you are getting the proper support. The care that you will eventually put mum into is for her own good. How would you feel if she got into a scrape on her own because of her AD? You would feel really bad then I guess - so its for her own protection and you will know when the time is right to do that - cos after all, you are the expert, because she's your mum and you know her best. good luck love. xx

[brenda]

My OH has had A.D for 7 years now and I have been his carer.He goes to a Day centre twice a week, and for respite for 3 days every 3 months.

It is very hard work 24/7, and can get you down, although I am lucky he is still with me , when others have lost their partners.

I have seen overtime a deterioration in his condition and a marked rise in his anger and abuse of a verbal kind.

I realise that it will only be a matter of time before I can no longer provide the care he needs, and I hope I can be strong when that time comes.

Sincere good luck.