My grandad has alzheimer's disease...?

Question

..and its really upsetting to watch. Are there any cures for it? Or anyway way I can take my mind off it.

Thanks

(serious answers plz, i can deal with dickheads)

Thankyou everyone :)

Answer 1

u CANT deal with them

but no, there is no cure, it is very distressing, i am very sorry.

Answer 2

there are is no cure for alzheimer's disease. However, there is treatment available and a variety of supportive services for both the person with the condition and their family, that can help alleviate the severity of the symptoms and improve quality of life. (When I say treatment, I mean both drugs and behavioral approaches).
Also, the symptoms can often be aggravated by the way people around the person with the condition are behaving. For example, things like: "try to remember" or "I've told you a hundred times already, did you forget?" tend put people on the defensive, causing all kinds of "strange" behaviors.
Anyway, I would encourage you to visit www.alz.org. It's the web site of Alzheimer's Association and offers a wealth of information on the subject. They are a non profit organization, so most of their information is for free.
I'm sorry this is happening to your family, but there is hope. I also want to commend you on speaking up and looking for answers. You're on the right track.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi,
I can't give any expert advice here but I do share many theories I have. I have so many relating to ailments and diseases but find very little time to study or write about my thoughts but there has always been something niggling at me when see or hear the 'alzheimer's disease'.
Did you know that Cardamom (herbs and spices) is a brain food, who knows this could actually help prevent this disease taking hold of the mind
I believe preventing is better than seeking a cure and although it may not help your grandad is could help others with early symptoms of...who knows it may even help your grandad..
I can't share any other thoughts relating to I'm afraid but cardamom.
It has a slight lemon aroma and can be used in cooking to flavour dishes and cakes etc or make a tea and drink. Even keeping a open jar of it on your desk is supposed to help improve the memory

Answer 4

Very sorry to hear that about your grandad, my grandma had it before she passed away so your question really hits home.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological illness, mind the word progressive, that means that if it's bad today it'll be worse in 3 years. theses types of patient have good days, intermediate days and bad days, the problem is you just don't know which day is it until the day is over.

I'd like to tell you that there is a magic pill to keep your grandpa as he is right now, but there's not. I'd suggest finding a support group, or maybe forming one, Alzheimer is very common and you should be able to find somebody to help you.

If you want medical information or questions about the disease please write and I'll be more than happy to answer you

Answer 5

As you might see reading at your answers, Alzheimer is a common disease that happens more and more as we grow older. From 30-50 % of the population at age 85.
The diagnosis is based in several factors, as the progressive impairment of intellectual function, including short-term memory, and other psychiatric manifestations.

There is no cure but exist medical treatment effective somehow to deal with some of the problems that this disease causes such as Donepezil,Galantamine or Rivastigmine, Risperidone, Olanzapine. These drugs are more efficient in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer and they vary in tolerance, and price.
Exist some evidence that Ginkgo Biloba and Vitamin E may have some efficacy in the treatment, yet not fully demonstrated.
Probably the more important factor in the management of the patients is the choice of specialized caregiver.
Sure, you are overwhelmed for the disease and the changes that the personality of your granddad experiences.

There are some tips to help people in your situation- if you take somehow care of him-
1- Talk with others who understand - join a support group or ask for support from family and friends. You might also want to find a support group for the Alzheimer's patient.
2-Keep your loved one involved. Social activities are important, and many patients can stay involved in normal family life.
3-Simplify tasks. Lower your expectations when needed to match your loved one's abilities.
4-HANG ON TO YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES. Stay involved in the hobbies or activities that refresh you and add to your physical and mental strength.
5-TAKE A BREAK. Check out adult day care or other community services that can free you from your responsibilities occasionally.

For more information: Many resources are available to help both patients and caregivers who are living with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org
Alzheimer's disease Education and Referral Center: www.alzheimers.org
Alzheimer's Foundation of America: alzfdn.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: www.ninds.nih.gov

The more difficult part is to cope with the emotions that will produce this disease in the familiar relation. Look for specialized help, at least till you will be able to take distance and avoid being hurt. Avoid the guilt that brings in long term the natural instinct to take distance to a sick person in order to protect you.
Read what you can, get information to understand better the sickness and take care of your own integrity. You can't give love and attention while feeling angry or hurt.

I wish you the best.Be strong.
Sincerely, Fro

Answer 6

there isn't any cures but the Dr can give him something to calm the symptoms down i worked in a home for old people we Alzheimer's its upsetting but they are fine they just go back into the past its hard but all you can do is be there for him see him as much as possible don't be scared because he wont hurt you talk about your grandmother and all the things fishing TV movies do what you used to do he is the same person don't be scared of him dieing as people with Alzheimer's can live longer than people think were i worked we had Lady's and men up to the age of 101 and they were fit and healthy Alzheimer's doesn't mean the end you most likely watched coronation street and that scared you but please trust me yeah that can happen but rarely people die that quick hope i have helped xx

Answer 7

Yes..since He is your grandpa and in this way of dying your loved one leaves you slowly a bit each day, it's very painful to watch , but my sister -in-law said the other day"perspective is everything" and perhaps it would apply here. I have Alzheimer specific training and maybe can share a few things to make time shared with him the most pleasant. Do not try to correct him or reorient him, go where he is whether it seems real or not. If he is at a spot in his brain where he is 12 and wondering what dad did with all of those fish, make up an answer. It is not mocking him ,it is comforting to be answered instead of corrected and /or questioned ie:"what fish, there are no fish here." meanwhile he may be so full on in that space that fish are filling his nostrils. Or if he has returned to a place where he is 3 and in the dark and frightened and calling"where did mum go? " and beginning to cry... you can sometimes soothe and comfort that child.If you don't cross them and quiz them and correct them they are much more pleasant and love a hug or to hold hands and go for a walk just to quietly not be alone , because as hard as it is to watch your loved one lose themself it's much more frightening and unpleasant to be them. They also do not like percieved barriors such as a line drawn on the floor a piece of tape across a doorway, sometimes such things can cause them to stop so abruptly that they fall on their bottoms. They like to be free to pace and wander, (safely within a contained area) they do not like arbitrary regulations like a ciggarette once every 4 hours if they were a smoker. They do not like anyone to block their path or appear in front of them coming alongside is the approach that works.The correct time of day or day of the week or month or year does not matter any more at all . small nutritious snacks as long as swallowing allows softer foods as needed, big meal productions are tiring for everyone and counter productive if involving forced sitting, etc, Questions like "How old are you now?" can be very telling and you may have the opportunity to see your grandfather as a child , which I have always found enchanting or endearing and at times heart wrenching as many of our grandparents went through quite a lot. Just you need to grow in compassion at this time when what he needs is companionship and comfort more than anything and you can imagine his primary caregiver must need a little rest and time away. God bless you during this difficult time. If you lok through this once more for the specific things to avoid it will make for far less agitation in general, if he is at all agitated that is that becomes the most difficult thing I often found myself just inventing calming answers to questions like" I let her go out without a coat ,now there is a storm and she's not home .I have to go find her! Will you help me? She is only 7 years old!" Calming fears and distraction is a great talent that anyone can cultivate. Peace.

Answer 8

As there is no cure of Alzheimer's disease, but you can slow down the progression of disease. the goal of treating AD are
Manage behavior problems, confusion, and agitation.
Modify the home environment.
Support family members and other caregivers.
The most promising treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, and antioxidant supplements like vitamin E and ginkgo biloba.

Try to get more detail on it. search out for Alzheimer's disease support groups.

Answer 9

I am so sorry to hear about your grandad, I have worked in units with dementia for years and I hae to say this but there are no cures for it, to be honest it will get worst. However please seek someone who knows about this and talk to others, it will help you understand and hopefully it will give oyu peace of mind, there are lots of support groups out there just ask your doctor or contact the council who should have a list of places,

I am sorry this is not what you want to hear but honesty is best, e mail me if you want a chat ok

good luck and be strong, try a hobby or something to take your mind of it

god bless

Answer 10

It is awful. My dad has it. There are many prescription drugs which slow it down but nothing that stops it, reverses it, or cures it. Not yet.
As far as taking your mind off--that's up to you. I don't dwell on my father's illness every minute of every day. But sometimes it does weigh heavily on me and I do cry about it.
You might want to check out the Alzheimer's Association to find a nearby branch and see if they have any support groups you can join. They also have information on the drugs available.

Answer 11

Alzheimer's peppers someone's memory and recollection, that is not any longer finished or in chronological order. tell her the reality about your grandfathers lack of existence. she will both have forgotten you instructed her 2 minutes later or it gained't make any distinction to her. My grandmother did not even recognize who i develop into, her merely theory of my brother develop right into a seven 12 months previous boy, no longer a guy in his previous due 30's and it did not remember what percentage situations she develop into instructed her husband (my grandad) had died, she nonetheless requested about what he develop into as a lot as and so on.