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Alzheimer's Disease
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Posted 8/22/2007 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. I dont post much, but thought that this would be a good time to start. I am a stay at home mom and have been taking care of my grandfather for the last 8 months. Up until now I just went to his house everyday but he is getting to the point where he needed more help than that. So this past weekend I asked him to come stay with us. He didnt even fight it, so that was a blessing. He never wanted to leave his house and never wanted outside help. So it all comes down to me. My parents live 3000 miles away, so they cant help. But before I ramble on in a different direction, let me get back to my poppop. He is 82, and in pretty good health. But mentally he is going downhill fast. He is confused, wont wear his hearing aids and sleeps most of the time. He wears diapers, but he doesnt even realize when they are wet and need to be changed. So here I am, a first time caregiver for an alzheimer patient. I would love any advice, tips, suggestions, etc. I did contact the alz association and they mailed me some videos for caregivers but I havent had time to watch them yet. Hopefully i can do that tonight.
Thanks!
Posted 8/22/2007 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise . . . welcome to the forum,
You have asked some great questions and I hope someone will have better answers than me. When we cared for my dad I yearned for some techniques that would make more sense than the way we were doing things . . . I always thought that if I could work a couple weeks in a nursing home, I might gain some knowledge (and I still think that might have been a good idea) . . . anyway, when things finally got so bad that we had to have help from the hospital and a hospice team . . . we found out that WE had better technique for OUR dad than they did and they were impressed with our methods. So trust your instinct. The fact that he will tolerate a diaper is HUGE.

You are a huge blessing to your Grandpa . . . God bless you for your willingness to jump in and take over his care . . . the blessings will be priceless. I have many "final gifts" from having helped care form my dad.

Lynn will be along with a big hug and some great encouragement . . . I hope you make some good friends here.
Blessings!
Posted 8/22/2007 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
hi denise! i usually only post in the fibro forum, but i saw the title of your post. i call my grandfathers pop pop too so it caught my eye. i'm sure it's overwhelming right now for you, but you are doing a wonderful thing for your poppop. big hugs to you!
Posted 8/22/2007 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Denise
A warm welcome to you and I know you will easily fit into our 'Lil family" here
I am proud that you are doing this for your poppop
I like Rosie made many great memories with Mom before she passed away in 2006..............
I know she is with Rosie's Dad and they are looking down on us with a cuppa tea........no more pain,confusion or anxiety,anger or just about any emotion except for......... peace ..........love ......happiness in that beautiful place we call Heaven
WE are here to HELP and support you and you will need emotional help, support and we also do understand you are not that well yet this is something you are doing .........Already you are close to my heart .......and in my prayers as is your dad and all the members of your family that will be coping and helping out ........
I will bump some posts up and I am sure Rosie will too
STAY ........With us please ..........
God Bless
the Caregivers and those that are true to their hearts
Luvs
LYN

"THERE is NO such thing as a Stupid question"
Posted 8/23/2007 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
I know they are together watching over us sis .............
Luvs ya tons
God Bless
Sis
Posted 8/23/2007 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your replies. Everyone here has been so nice and it feels like a family. I appreciate knowing that you are all here if I need help, advice or a shoulder to cry on. I will do my best to be there for you too. With 3 kids and my poppop I am not finding much "spare" time to do things for myself. And I also am taking online college courses. This will be my first semester trying to handle school and Poppop. I only registered for one class, and hope I can manage that.
Thanks again! you are all a blessing to me.
Posted 8/23/2007 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Denise
YOU have your hands full and with all the DD you have as well so PLEASE please DO NOT hesitate to callon anyone of us here at anytime '
I am usually on by 5 am to answer posts and get my Crohns morning on the way
SO never worry okay ......you will ahve alot of questions as I said
** IF you have time read "Padriags long Thread he ook his wife out of a nursing home when she was almost dying and he has looked after HER every need sinc .........Never regetting and never giving up
He is my Mentor and my adopted Grammpy...........

There is so much info in his thread hun so like I said IF you get the chance
Remember thru all of this it will be a learning expeience and also MAKE great memories while you can with him
WE are here for you ...........LYN
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