People With Alzheimers

Golden_Girl · #1 Oct 3, 2009, 12:25 PM

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.

Golden_Girl · Oct 3, 2009, 11:28 PM

So your telling me no one knows anything about Alzheimers or senior health?

Clough · Oct 4, 2009, 12:54 AM

Hi, Golden_Girl!

Sometimes, it takes a bit of patience to use this site...

My mother had Alzheimer's Disease. I had to deal with it for a number of years...

One of the things that helps is for the person to be mentally stimulated on a regular basis and for them to keep as active as they can with groups and other types of activities.

Synthread (spelling?) is a medication that also seems to help with the person remaining as alert and keen to memory things as they can.

But, I'm sure that others will be able to elaborate better about the medication thing.

I'm sorry that you're having to face this! It's not easy!

Hopefully, others will also be along to address your question!

Thanks!

Golden_Girl · Oct 4, 2009, 11:54 PM

Hi Clough, thanks for answering. I never heard of "Synthread", I know the doctor had him on Aricept for about 9 months until it about a week ago it became ineffective for him. So now he is on Namenda and it's too soon to see how well it'll work. He also has been taking something else to help with his dimentia symptoms for about 5 months, but his symptoms have came back. I will have to read more about Synthread. Did your mother take any specific vitamins or a multivitamin?

This alzheimer's makes me so upset and depressed because I didn't expect something like this until I was much older, I'm 24. My 2 older siblings have done nothing to help dad and only called once this year to check on him. So I had updated them on what's happening and still no call. So, I'm helping my stepmother care for him 4 days out of the week. I'm glad he still has memory, even though it isn't how it used to be. One of the reasons why I hate alzheimer's because my dad was a computer genius and worked for IBM for about 20 years as a software and hardware developer and then started his own computer business. But, had to stop late last year because of AD when he was diagnosed.

We try to stimiluate his mind with games, reading, writing, computers and he would just get furious and refuse to play and said to not insult him like that. Other than that, we do go for walks sometimes and to the park, look at photos. I'm going to try tape recording him speaking about his past and thoughts if he'll let me. We are looking for an affordable place near the area that offers activities for those who have alzheimers.

How many years did your mother have alzheimer's?

Clough · Oct 5, 2009, 12:24 AM

Hi again, Golden_Girl!

I think that I should have originally put Aricept in my first response to you. Now that I think about it, Synthread or even Synthroid (spelling, again), might have been something that my mother took for problems with her thyroid gland. It's been so long ago, that I've forgotten some of the medications that were prescribed...

You have quite a burden to bear there, Golden_Girl! I've "been there, done that"...

I worked with taking care of my mom for about ten years until her death. It was hard at first and got harder...

Let's just keep communicating, okay?

Thanks!

Clough · Oct 5, 2009, 12:49 AM

Okay, I can see that you're busy elsewhere on the site, Golden_Girl.

I'll be here to help you through this.

We just might need to coordinate times. Where I am is in my profile, however you might be able to view it.

I'll look forward to discussing with you your situation, what's happening in it and what to do about it...

I've already "been there" and also feel your pain...

Thanks!

Golden_Girl · Oct 5, 2009, 02:44 PM

Thanks Clough. Sorry, I must have been at my favorite board as it does help distract me sometimes.

So, what were the best ways to help care for your mother and make her happy? In the end did she completely forget who you were or did she still recognize your face even though she did not know exactly who you were? With me I take it really hard because I am oversensitive and almost anything affects me but I know I have to be there for my stepmom as she does so much in taking care of dad. It was not gradual, it all happened at once when I found out this past April that he was diagnosed last November 2008. Now it explains why some of the things he was talking about last summer with me.

Clough · Oct 5, 2009, 03:12 PM

Hi again, Golden_Girl!

Other than memory loss, both short-term and long-term, the thing that "got" me the most, initially, was that she forgot my birthday. Remembering the date and other things concerning the days of the week, months, etc., never returned for her.

She never forgot who I was, though. Although, occasionally, she did mistake me for being her husband. My father died in 1982.

Thanks!

Golden_Girl · Oct 5, 2009, 03:15 PM

I see. Well, I hope my dad never forgets who I am. Last week he thought I was his mother, but she passed away about 6 years ago but I'm known to look alot like her and I was in the kitchen cooking so I though maybe that's why he thought that. Today he though I was my stepmom though and asked was his daughter going home today, again I was in the kitchen cooking.

How did you deal with the burden of your mother having alzheimers, Did you have other siblings to share responsibility?