I wanted to know if anyone here has a family member, or if they themselves, are suffering with Alzheimersa dn what do you do to help slow the disease from geting worse? How do you cope or fight this illness? My dad was diagnosed with it a few months back and he is in the moderate stage, so he still has memory but many things have changed and I wanted to know what can help slow the disease or what are possible cures for it. I know there are "no" cures, but I think there must be some type of cure for it around.

Clough

I was the one who took care of my mom physically and emotionally. My brother was the one who wrote checks for things.

When there are issues within a family, things can be even rougher...

Thanks!

firmbeliever

Hi Goldie,
I remember reading about Alzheimer patients finding simple things enjoyable.
There have even been petting/stroking animals like horses,cats etc for sensory stimulation.

You might also like the following link.
http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-treatment-family.asp

Clough

So, how are things going now, Golden_Girl?

Thanks!

Golden_Girl

Hey, still hanging in there. I did suggest to my dad and stepmom about getting a puppy, cat, or rabbit. But, he said he had enough pets in the past ad didn't want them make his house dirty. But, they do live around alot of trees and sometimes the deer come around, and we put up the hummingbird feeder since my dad loves hummingbirds.

Thanks for the links Firmbeliever, I'll take a look at them.

Clough

Hi again, Golden_Girl!

Are you able to take your dad out very much, like for drives and/or outings, please?

I used to take my mom out a lot and go for rides. Driving around where she was familiar and going down "memory lane" was a thing that she really enjoyed doing!

Thanks!

Golden_Girl

Thanks Clough! Yes I take dad out for rides as I can as I notice he is much calmer in the car. So I try and take him out as much as I can, because when he is at the house for too long he gets really irritated. When we look through photos I notice he talks more and tells me who is who, as though he is his old self again. They want to give me his old truck, so I am really considering it and I would have to learn how to drive a 5 speed stick shift. I know he always loved that truck, so I may get it fixed up as it hasn't been driven for about 6 months. His appetite has lessoned alot since his symptoms returned about a moth ago, but for some reason he now has this taste for chicken sandwhiches from fastfood places, so I take him there. Strange because he had always hated fast food, but whatever gets him to eat is fine with me.

Clough

Would he know that you've been given his truck, please?

Thanks!

Golden_Girl

Yes, he was the one who suggested it to me a couple of times, at first I said no because I don't know how to drive a stick. But I have been reconsidering it for a few days now as their next option was to sell it. He was showing me how to handle the stick and switching gears a week and a half ago.

Clough

Well then, he should be okay with you having it.

I was concerned that he might feel bad having something like that taken away from his control.

Thanks!

Golden_Girl

I would never do that to him, I woulld always want him to be happy. So I made sure to ask if he really wanted me to have it and why.