Alzheimer's Disease

[dadshope]

Looking for hope
My father has been diagnosed with beg to moderate stages of Alzheimers. His mother and one of his sisters had the same diagnoses and both have past. Just looking for others who may be experiencing the same and have experienced this situation and any hope or advice which one can share to a daughter who of course loves her father dearly and is yet over a 1,000 miles away and does fly back home several times in the year to visit and follow up with care, financials, and other concerns as the disease progresses. Father is taking aricept which seems to maybe be slowing the progression a little.
Thanks and always look forward to hearing from someone else.

[curt]

Two of my aunts had Alzheimer's, its a tough thing to watch happen to someone you love. Unfortunately there is not much you can do about it. Sounds like you are doing everything you can especially living that far away. Good luck to the both of you.

[lucybella]

Hi there, my heart and thoughts go out to you as I too have a parent who was diagnosed with AD a year ago. Mum, mid 60s had been having episodes of depression, anxiety and memory loss over a period of 2 or3 years prior to dignosis. Diagnosed by geriatrician after our family continued to question her GP with regard to these issues and lack of follow up. She has never been able to accept diagnosis and rarely talks of it. She believes she has slight memory loss but otherwise OK. I believe she is aware that something is not quite right but she just cant put her finger on it. I live in NZ and she in AUS so we only get to catch up a couple of times a year. She and dad stayed with us in feb this year which was fabulous but also very difficult to watch her as the disease had obviously progressed. The short term memory loss is significant, and away from her usual envirnoment becomes disorientated and confused and extremely dependant on Dad. She definitely has some awareness of what is happening because I can see her trying so hard to focus and remember things and becoming frustrated with herself when she forgets something. Small behaviour changes are also becoming apparent, such as becoming fixated on things, a bit obsessive/compulsive. She is always very tired and takes a very long time to get going but I know that is all a part of the disease process. We still have great moments and her long term memory is intact so we just try and focus on what is familiar. There is alot more awareness out there now as it is becoming too prevalent to ignore and not only an older persons disease. I found that talking to people involved in the local AD assoc was very helpful. I also did a lot of reading. There is support out there but you do need to go looking for it. I struggled for a long time trying to accept it and in a way I guess you go through a grieving process. But I feel it is important to understand that even though there may not be a cure out there yet, we can still do things to make the most of the life they have left. Focussing on their abilities and what they like to do rather that trying to make them improve on what is lost. I think its essential for your dad to have a social network. And it is important for you to have support as well.Sometimes it is of benefit to educate those friends and family who you know are close and will be of support. Just like having a stroke or some other illness, we need to make lifestyle changes and modifications to adapt. All is not lost, you still have your dad and Im sure you will always find a way to reach him. I wish you both all the love and happiness in the world.
Kim.

[Mazekarnes]

My twin has it we will visit her and she does not know we were there yesterday. She can become hostile when they use the machine that lifts them and puts them to bed