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 getting 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.

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

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!

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 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?

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!

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!

Synthread or even Synthroid (spelling, again), might have been something that my mother took for problems with her thyroid gland.

Yes, it's for thyroid, not alzheimers.

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.

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!

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 a lot 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?

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!

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

So, how are things going now, Golden_Girl?

Thanks!

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 a lot 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.

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!

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!

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 a lot 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.

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

Thanks!

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

Thanks!

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.

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!

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.

When my mom was deeply in the midst of Alzheimers, my daughter wanted her car. I made it clear to my daughter, that I would need to ask my mom about that. My mom had not been able to drive for a couple of years. I asked my mom about my daughter having her car. My mom's response was that it would be okay and for my daughter to "Be very, very careful!"

I believe, that even when a relative is into the deeper stages of the disease, that it's good to share as much as possible with them. We never know when doing so will get a response from them that might be like the "old" person that they were!

Thanks!

I agree, your so right. I notice when I discuss planets and solar sytems with my dad he seems more like his old self and will discuss with me. That's far from my specialty, but hese good at that kind of stuff science, computers and other electronics, mathematics. So I try to spark a conversation and just listen.

When you say things to your dad, do you ever try to see, moment's later, if he can remember what you've said?

Thanks!

Sometimes. Sometimes he would remember and ask me why am I keep repeating myself or asking the same thing over. And sometimes he wouldn't remember the previous conversation.

Then it doesn't sound like he is yet to the stage in the disease where my mother was when I would test her. That's good!

How is his over-all disposition, please? Does he ever have bouts where he gets really mad because of his loss of memory?

Thanks!

Yes, that would happen. Especially when we try and mention a puzzle or bingo, or something. He would get furious, so we stopped suggesting it. His appetite has been not so good, for the past few weeks he eats and drinks very little. But he did eat a bit more today and it's great that we have family to come over and visit today and tomorrow.

Do family members visit with him on a regular basis, please?

Thanks!

No. The family that came down are my stepmother's relatives. My dad's sister did come to visit for a week about 2 months ago. His brother, other daughter, and son haven't came yet but say they will be coming this year.. but this year is now almost over. I think if they at least call more than three times this year would be better too. I give them updates from time to time so they don't have an excuse, this is one of the things that bothers me with them.

So, are you basically alone with caring for him?

Thanks!

It's mostly my stepmother caring for him. I come Fri-Mon to help relieve her a bit during parts of the day and for her to run errands or anything.

So, what does he do during the day, please?

Thanks!

When I'm at his house during the day we usually take him out for rides, go to the park, go for a walk or to one of his friend's house, to the flea market sometimes, and we go to the grocery store. He usually would take a nap before or after lunch. Once in awhile he would watch an old western or sci-fi. We also sometimes sit out on the deck and watch the hummingbirds come to feed at this hummingbird feeder near the deck or sometimes look at the deer that would come around the house.

What were the things you would do with your mom during the day that she liked.

Well, of course there were the rides... Visiting relatives and friends, too.

My kids and I would also try to get her involved in board games. We'd "fudge" on the rules so that she would feel more invoved and could maybe even win!

Since one of the things that I do, is that professional musician, I would play for her and also take her to concerts that I was in, or ask someone else to take her, if I needed to be at a concert really early.

I would also ask her opinion about a lot of things in order to keep her invovled.

I appreciate you keeping me informed as to what's going on with your dad!

Thanks!

Thanks for being there to listen, as I have no one really to speak to about this and who can relate, other than my stepmom. What instrument(s) do you play? We took him to the movies a couple of weeks ago which he did enjoy.

I play a number of instruments because one of the things that I trained to be in college was to be a band director. Piano, organ, tuba and string bass would be the main ones that I keep up on now, since I'm retired from teaching in schools. I also sing, professionally.

Do you play any instruments or sing?

Thanks!

You are very talented indeed. I used to play the piano and acustic guitar when I was a kid, but never kept up with it. I sing jazz, I used to sing a lot back in Ethiopia with some of the local artists there and received some requests to join a few bands there. But, I don't know when I'll be returning back exactly.

Did you ever have trouble with your mom not eating or drinking enough fluids? What did you do to avoid this?

Talking about eating and drinking concerning Alheimer's patients opens up a whole other subject here...

Yes, there were many problems with her eating or drinking enough when she was living by herself.

The more physically active that a person is, the more likely that they're going to feel hungry and thirsty.

Thanks!

I can't remember and it's difficult for me to get around the site because I have a really slow connection. There is a problem with me getting disconnected from the Internet a lot, too. But, did you say something earlier about your dad being "into" music in some way, please?

Thanks!

Yes, in the beginning of his alzheimers I notice he would get up and dance more and smile... I never seen him do this before as he has always been very reserved. But, he told me he loved reggae, jazz, and pretty much many genres of music. I had brought several of my cds over for him to listen too and a few months back it did help help him many times during his sadness with coping with AD. I noticed some of my meditational music had helped calm him as well. I will try and play more music for him this weekend and see how he reacts as it does not help all of the time, but had helped much.

So, what's been happening since we last communicated, Golden_Girl?

Thanks!

Hi Clough. You know, some days a good and some days are not good. The positive things I can say though is that my dad's appetite has been coming back which is great, he still hasn't been drinking as much fluids as we try to get I'm to drink though. And my older sister is coming down from California November 11 for 1 week, which is another plus. So maybe she will also call more regularly? Any time I can get my dad to smile and my stepmom laughing is also very good. But other than that, I think I have been getting physically sick due to the stress of it all. My IBS symptoms have been coming back and I know I would never be able to adjust to my dad's illness, so that part makes me very depressed and sometimes absent-minded.