All you need is a little more Alzhiemers experience.?

Question

My mother was 90 when she died as a result of someones ignorance about Alz. I have more experience than you. She would often say she did not know who people were. They did not know she was nearly blind. If they said their name she knew exactly who they were. She sometime confused me with her brother and I was razed about it. They didn't stop to include that her brothers name was the same as mine. She was always being called crazy. She cooked her own food, cleaned her own home except when do gooders came and did it for her. She prefered to keep busy.
We had a code word that she used to let me know that she recognised me. It was "are you on my side". I had told her that years before. Elderly people like to feel that they have someone on their side.
My father was similiar. I always challenged him. He was better when frustrated. Strangers told me that i was good for him because I didn't take any crap. Your loved one is smarter than you think.

Answer 1

Well I do have as much or more experience than you do--I have been a caregiver for years and also cared for my mother. She had eye surgery and could see better than I could -- after her mind was going away. She eventually could no longer talk, prior to that she didn't know who anyone was not even who she was--she would dismantle plumbing the sink the toilet anything she could reach, she would take all her clothes off and go outside, in the middle of the night she would go outside naked and dig in the trash can--looking for her chapstick, she didn't know what went in her eyes or in her nose. There were no 'code' words available that she would have understood. I was unloading things one day and had some disposable razors--she said what are those little things, I explained it to her and she said hmmph, I don't believe you. She would sock me and throw tantrums and swear I fed her slop for lunch. You had a mom that was old and tired she did not have the dreaded disease.

Answer 2

Diseases all take their time in the spot light. Alzheimer's is one of those. It has been around for centuries yet only recently defined for diagnosis. Now it is 'the disease of choice' for senior citizens. That means it is one of the first things a doctor will look for in the elderly. He must never overlook 'the disease of choice' or he will be made to look the fool. Uniquely enough, the illness does not have clear cut symptoms like other illnesses. In fact, the proof of the illness is only found in the brain at the autopsy. What you are looking for are 'usual symptoms'. Every symptom of Alzheimer's can also be a symptom of something else. Tread softly before drawing a firm conclusion.

Answer 3

I HAVE to answer this, people, including Doctors are WAY WAY too quick to "diagnose" Alzheimers these days.

There are certain behaviors related to Alzheimers that should make a diagnosis fairly simple, but they cant be bothered to test their patient it seems.

And there ARE such things as Dementia caused by hardening of the arteries, Depression that can lead people to do odd things, loneliness that can create odd behaviors.

People's medications can create confusion and disorientation, and so can their diets, or other habits.

Over the counter medications that everyone for some reason believe are harmless CAN cause depression, confusion, disorientation and even Psychotic epidsodes in some people. And even suicide attempts, St Johns Wort is one of them.

I get so tired of hearing "buzz words" thrown around like confetti, Bi-Polar is another "trendy" condition, Depression, Alzheimers and the knee jerk reaction of far too many physicians is to write out a script for a drug that is supposed to "make you happy".

If you arent happy all the time you need to be medicated, if you forget things as you grow older you must have Alzheimers, if you are feeling really blue and then you get better you must have Bi-Polar, you are grieving the death of a loved one, you must be depressed.

THESE are what life is all about, we dont need to be medicated unless a person becomes totally non-functional, and is making bad choices for themselves.

I figure WHEN a person isnt getting dressed, isnt bathing, living with a total mess in their home, and never leaving the house its time to step in.

But even then, find out WHY they arent doing these things? Could it be severe arthritis pain and they cant do them ?

Lets deal with "Clinical Depression" not "the blues" and the "ups and downs of life".

Most people in this world need two things: company, someone to talk to, and a social life, activities that get them out of the house or home.

Even having Grandma or Grandpa over for dinner every Sunday can do wonders for their mental health.

Phoning every couple of days, popping in when you can, even ten minutes is better than not doing it at all.

And be willing to take a trip down memory lane with them. They have done things and have accomplishments that make them feel good about themselves, we need to acknowledge these things.

Answer 4

Kayboff laid it out correctly. I have cared for many people with the dreaded disease and what you describe of your Mothers behavior is not alzheimers. 3 people I had cared for were very intelligent and knew they were suffering from a disease causing them to lose memory and time. Only one person got to the point of having to be fed. She would get her spoon half way to her mouth and stall out forgetting she was eating. I am currently dealng with a friend in mid stages and she is as sad as the others I have known. She is one of those that would rather not continue to live.

Answer 5

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DEFINITION OF ALZHEIMER’S


Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes.
These neurons, which produce the brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, break connections with other nerve cells and ultimately die. For example, short-term memory fails when Alzheimer's disease first destroys nerve cells in the hippocampus, and language skills and judgment decline when neurons die in the cerebral cortex.
Two types of abnormal lesions clog the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease: Beta-amyloid plaques—sticky clumps of protein fragments and cellular material that form outside and around neurons; and neurofibrillary tangles—insoluble twisted fibers composed largely of the protein tau that build up inside nerve cells. Although these structures are hallmarks of the disease, scientists are unclear whether they cause it or a byproduct of it.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among people aged 65 and older.
Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging.
Origin of the term Alzheimer's disease dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, presented a case history before a medical meeting of a 51-year-old woman who suffered from a rare brain disorder. A brain autopsy identified the plaques and tangles that today characterize Alzheimer's disease.

Answer 6

I have several years experience with this dreaded disease, not to mention valid and authentic information from professional sources. It does not sound like either your mother or father had Alzheimers, but rather the 'normal' form of senility [based on the little information you gave here.]

5^ kay

Answer 7

Alzheimers affect the person in different stages. It is a degenerative process specially acquired by people after retirement. When you suddenly stop doing your routines, no one to talk to and your mobility is lessened.

Answer 8

I worked with Alz. pts for 10 yrs on a daily basis.It is heart breaking. Bless you for being so caring.

Answer 9

I think that we all need to have someone on our side. And Yes, I do think that people are smarter than we expect them to be. I'm glad that you had such a good relationship with your parents.