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My mother is sick and I'm lost

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Alzheimer's Disease
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Posted 4/28/2006 7:27 PM (GMT 0)

Hey everyone! My name is Nancy and I'm new to this forum so I thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself. I'm a mother of two and just recently began caring for own mother. Things have changed so drastically in the past year for her, mostly her health. She has slowly started to forget things and I fear more than anything that it could ultimately be the being of Alzheimers. It started out with family birthdays, but has now escalated to conversations from an hour earlier. I've never dealt with anything remotely close to this, so I am lost at this point. If anyone has any advice, helpful suggestions, I'm all ears..

Posted 4/28/2006 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hello msnancy.

I am sorry to hear about the problems that your mom is having. I would suggest that you go with your mom to the Doctor. Explain your concerns and then the Doctor will probably arrange an asessment for your Mom. She will be asked a list of questions and that will help the Doctor decide what to do next.

My sister is in her fifties and she has Alzheimers. She only scored 9 points at her last asessment and 13 a year before that. I think the most that can be scored is somthing like 30.

If you think that it might upset your Mom to suggest to her that you feel that she needs to see the Doctor because of her memory problems,maybe you could tell her its to get a routine blood pressure check. Or if she is on medication for any other condition you could say "we are going to get your meds reviewed Mom"
It doesnt have to be a lie because you could get that done at the same time.

I hope that helps.
Posted 4/28/2006 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
She needs to be seen by a Neurologist for testing.If she has Alzheimer'

s she will be put on medication.There are several medications Aricept,Exelon,Razadyne,& Namenda.There is no cure,but the meds,do slow it down..................

Posted 4/29/2006 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Get some books, simple ones at first, some are too medically technical and what you'll need is about caregiving by other caregivers. Take her to a neurologist as Snowy says, it may not be AD, but if it is, the sooner she's on meds, the better. You may only get a diagnosis of 'probable' Alzheimer's, about 85% accurate. It's only 100% when a biopsy is done. It is important to remember to take care of yourself, your children and spouse. They often get lost in the caregiving routine. You may not be thinking about it now, but if not already done, get financial and health directives in order NOW. Get an Elder Care atty if you don't have an atty already. Get info at local senior center. Good luck & keep posting.
Posted 4/29/2006 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and Welcome Nancy.......I was the caregiver for Mom ,sadly she passed away on the 20th of March. I am still looking after my step Dad and he also has gotten pretty bad lately ,I think alot has to do with losing his world basically.. In the corner there is a yellow box with resources click on that and it will get you to some places for starters. Definitely she does need a neurolgist,and you will also need some support for you,as the caregiver.I am bumping a few things up for you and hopefully it will help to read up on them.As well Alzinfo.Org, may have some input for you There is a lot of great support and peeps on this forum and you can come here to vent,cry,laugh or just share your day with us and we will try to help you in any way possible. I am so glad you have found us and we shall be looking for more posts from you .Please do look after yourself as well the others as you can and will get run down pretty quick if you are not looking out for you as well .If you need to talk all my info is there I am here as well as the others for you.You are no longer alone with this.May I say I am glad to see you are looking after your Mom the memories you have from the past and the new ones you will make (even with her memory loss) will be the best ever,my hat goes off to you for stepping up to the plate for your Mom she is lucky to have you as her daughter ......take care and God Bless.....Lyn

Others have given great input as well ....

Posted 5/3/2006 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much to everyone who has provided me with all this great advice. I really appreciate all the support. I was planning on taking my mother to a neurologist and will definitely follow through on those plans, even if she constantly insists that she is perfectly healthy. Thanks again!
Posted 5/3/2006 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Please keep us posted as well after Mom sees the neuroligist. As snowy has said there are many good meds out there to help with the progression(slowing)down of AD......You are a special Lady ....read a "Message To Send" by Padraig and he has some great input and helpful tech's to lend anyone . Take care of you as well I know I just keep saying that BUT you hav to be well in order to look after your Mom and all the rest of your family....Take care and GOd Bless............Lyn
Posted 5/5/2006 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard feedback from others about senior day cares and I am really fond of the idea. I of course would have to tell my mother she would be volunteering in order to get her there, but at least this would keep her active. I know this sounds kind of stupid, but I am concerned that if I don't keep her mind stimulated, her illness will progress even faster. Kind of like the old saying"if you don't use it, you lose it."
Posted 5/5/2006 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
IMO It would be a great idea for her and she would be volunteering kinda she could show some of the worse off some things I am sure ,and she would really love the company.When Mom was alive we had a monthly clothing share and food bank she just loved to be involved in.I believe keeping her busy is a good idea ..read some of Charlie's stories with his wife .He is looking after her after she just about did die in a home he took her out and looks after her ....God Bless...Lyn
Posted 5/8/2006 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
How are you doing and how are the plans for the volunteering going .........Let me know will ya ............Take care
Posted 5/9/2006 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lyn- I'm doing well, thanks. I mentioned something to my Claire, my mother, about volunteering a couple days out of the week and I received silence. So I guess that's better than a no. I am planning on bringing it up again this weekend hoping that she will actually respond to the thought. Have you heard of mindfit before? someone mentioned it in the health boards forums. It's suppose to help with memory . I signed up for their newsletter, and i received this email:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. Nance.........Could you just email me that info please I am not sure if it is appropriate to post that email on here ........Hope you understand and I am looking forward to getting it ...Be well and God Bless.Lyn



I think i'm going to try it, i'll let you know what i think. Or I could just forward this email to you.
Take care
Nance

Post Edited By Moderator (Lyn (Howlyncat)) : 5/10/2006 5:05:51 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/10/2006 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
Nance yes I think Silence is a better response than NO lol......She would love it I bet........does she do knitting or crocheting, that could be a good start ask her if she would like to show others how to do it .........Wishing you all the best and will wait for that email ........God Bless....Lyn
Posted 5/10/2006 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
HI Lyn-
I'm sorry. I didn't think it would be a problem but I do understand. I can just forward the email to you if you'd like. She's not much of a knitter but she does love to cook. She is an amazing cook so maybe she could show others some simple recipes but I feel like that might be a little far fetched.
Posted 5/10/2006 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe not they will do that here at the respite centres and it would be great if she could show some simple recipes ..she would feel as though she was contributing and I think that is a good thing ......Got your Email ...going to check it out thanks ......Take care and God Bless...Lyn
Posted 5/11/2006 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
HI NANCY MY DAD HAD ALZHIEMER'S AND WE TOLD DAD HE WAS A VOLUNTEER IT WORKED FOR DAD. HE WAS TOLD HE HAD AD AT 58 YEARS OLD .
Posted 5/11/2006 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
CrazyLinda.......Hi and Welcome to HW ..you will find plenty of support and great peeps on this site.......Thanks for your input....BTW...could I ask you to take caps off as it makes it look as though you are yelling lol..thanks .I know I have done this by accident and had to redo lol...Hope to see you post often ,...God Bless...Lyn
Posted 5/13/2006 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
Nance how are things going .Hope you have a great Mother's Day with your Mom and you too of course........God Bless......Lyn
Posted 5/16/2006 10:40 AM (GMT 0)
Nance how are ya worried as I havent heard from you .....God Bless......Lyn
Posted 5/16/2006 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lyn-
Sorry I have been out of town! Happy Belated Mothers Day. We went to my sisters for the weekend so we could all spend mothers day with my mother. My sister and I had a long discussion on my decision to have my mother live with me. She completly disagrees and thinks we should put her in a home! can you believe it! That will never happen. We have received the test results and my mother has not been diagnosed with AD, thank you lord! it turns out her issues are coming with age so I'm taking baby steps to get her help that she needs. I enrolled her in a senior daycare program which starts next week so that's a start. I am thinking about getting that program i was telling you about. I used the download code they sent me and the program was really interesting. Defenitly something that I think my motehr adn I could do together.
Enough about me, how was your mothers day??
-nance
Posted 5/17/2006 9:15 AM (GMT 0)
I am so HAPPY for you and your mum .stick to your guns you are doing the right thing IMO.......happy Mother's Day to her and give her and self a gentle hugg ...glad to hear you had some discussions .........God Bless and keep me posted will you .....Lyn
Posted 5/19/2006 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Nance.........haven't heard from you for awhile am wondering how things are going with you and your Mom.........God Bless.......Lyn
Posted 5/19/2006 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lyn-
Things are fine, which is better that bad i guess. We have a family party this weekend which I am debating on whether or not we should go. My mom seems to get anxious when there are a lot of people and gets confused easily. Do you have any big plans for the weekend?
Posted 5/19/2006 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there .Gald to see you ....No I have nothing planned am broke out in sores again and it is the usual family stuff that is going on....Have you read and replied to Padraigs posts......He is looking after his wife he took her from nursing home (where she almost died ) and brought her home to look after her ...she has flourished with his love and care .......Just a suggesstion he has much to offer this forum and the caregivers of loved ones.......I hope you have agood wknd and that your Mom doesnt get to agitated...........God Bless and take care........Lyn
Posted 5/23/2006 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lyn-
So the weekend wasnt as bad as i predicted it would be. i haven't replied to any of Padraigs posts but I definielty will. Seems liek he may have some good advice. take care
nance
Posted 5/24/2006 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
Nance.........So glad your wknd went well I was hoping it would be better than you had thought it would be at first. Padraig is a wonderful man and very loving and caring ...aslo has much to offer the froum.........God Bless.........You take care and be well ......Lyn
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