My grandpa was diagnosed with alzheimer's last year. It began by him just forgetting things like where he put his keys and not being able to give directions very well. My grandmother passed away in June and it got worse then. Now, he tells me the same things over and over and gets confused pretty easily. When he is stressed about anything it is worse. He and I have always been very close and I saw him yesterday for about an hour and he doesn't remember seeing me. It really upset him that he didn't remember. It upset me a little too becuase I can see it progressing so fast. I'm not sure how to handle this. I don't know if I should tell him he's already told me these stories 500 times, or if I should just listen to them again. When he indicated last night that he hadn't seen me in a while...should we have just let it go instead of telling him? We are new to this. If anyone else is in this situation...what do you do?
2006-11-02 06:30:28 · 5 answers · asked by #3ontheway! 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
What do I tell my children who are 6, 4, and 3 if he ever doesn't remember them or something. They are very close to him also??
2006-11-02 06:31:01 · update #1
My Grandfather and I were also very close.when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I took it pretty bad.Yes it does get frustrating at times hearing the same stories over and over.The best thing I found to do was just listen to the story again and be grateful you have him at all.When he doesn't remember seeing you don't take it personally.Just put on a big smile and tell him how wonderful it is to see him.I wish I could tell you it gets better but it only gets worse.Try to enjoy the time you have.As for the children let them know what's going on and not to take it personally if he doesn't remember them.Explain as best as you can that it is an illness but one that no one can make better.You might also want to look into a support group for Alzheimer's Families.Sometimes just talking to someone who's been there can make a huge difference.
2006-11-02 06:42:57 · answer #1 · answered by renchick13 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For you I'd say when he tells his stories, just listen to them and just be thankful he is still alive to tell them, even if 500 times. When he says he hasn't seen you in a long time, even though he has but doesn't remember, just pat his hand and tell him that you'll be around more often and keep telling him that. That'll keep him from getting frustrated.
I'd be happy if I still had grandparents around, even with alzheimer's. All mine were gone by the time I was 15, with the first two dying when I was 5 years old. So, just be thankful and loving to him. He needs it more than you know.
2006-11-02 06:50:32 · answer #2 · answered by GirlinNB 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, this will only get worse. This is a horrible, cruel disease that robs people of their memories and robs the families of their loved ones long before they die. I went through this with my grandfather - we had always been extremely close, and eventually he didn't know who I was. My grandmother, his wife, died and my grandfather would spend hours looking for her and asking for her - when someone would remind him that she had died, it was like he had just lost her all over again. It was agony for him and for me, and was almost a blessing when he was so far gone that he no longer thought to ask about her. There are support groups out there - find one and go, you need to talk to other folks who are going through this too. Good luck my dear, and take comfort knowing that nothing can change the fact that your grandpa loves you - even if he doesn't always remember you.
2006-11-02 06:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by woodlands127 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think people with beginning stages of Alzheimers are all too aware of their forgetfulness and it's extremely frustrating for them as well as you. I think you should not remind them of their illness by reminding them you've heard the story 500 times, just listen again. As for the children, I'd explain his health problem to their age approiateness in order for them to understand that they are loved and not forgotten!
2006-11-02 06:49:07 · answer #4 · answered by georgiarose_01 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just explain to them that when people get old, they lose their memory and it's hard for them to remember things. Explain to them that grandpa's brain is old and is tired and can't remember stuff like he used to.
2006-11-02 06:33:36 · answer #5 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋