Alzheimers

[Linda]

I started to post this on the Health area but decided to put it here instead. My daughter-in-law cares for and loves people with Alzheimer's. She posted this poem today on FB and I'd like to share it with everyone here.

 

[Falcon]

Yes, a god message by those who are aflicted. (Sad)

 

[Shalimar]

Poignant.

 

[Bobw235]

As some may know from following a thread I started last Fall, my late father-in-law was afflicted with this horrible disease. We watched it progress from its early stages to the end of his life a few weeks ago. Mercifully perhaps, he was taken from us before the disease rendered him totally lost to us. When we visited in November he recognized my wife, but was unsure about me when we walked in the door. It was so sad to realize that this man who was so once full of life had been reduced to such a confused and mostly silent state. My wife despaired calling on the phone because he often struggled to find the words to respond to her conversation. But, there were moments of grace, moments of cognition, especially when we'd play music he loved from earlier in his life. It was like someone switched on a light, seeing his foot tap and his eyes brighten, even mouthing words he'd not spoken in years.

Thanks for posting this. It really is a disease unlike any other.

 

[Mike]

I don't understand this problem unlike others.
Though I personally know people who have suffered in this way, I have no
first hand experience of it, (thankfully).
One lady who suffered from it, I experienced some of her behaviour early, in
to the going in to it, it was sad then, but she still knew everybody.
Unfortunately the rest of my experience of this horrible disease is to attend
several funerals.
I hope that they find a cure soon.
But where di it come from?

Mike.

 

[Linda]

Bob, I know this is all fresh pain for you. My mother-in-law died several years ago. Before she got bad enough to have to go to the nursing home she had hid little pieces of paper all over her room that said "My name is " " and had her name written down. That was so sad because if you know you are forgetting who you are, well not much can be worse than that.

My husband has always been concerned about getting Alzheimers ,and he thinks aluminum is partially behind it, so he's never used deodorant with it in it and also he wouldn't touch Velveeta cheese. He believes they put aluminum in there to help it cut smoother. The last few years we can't find it on the ingredients list but he still avoids it, just in case.

 

[chic]

A dear family friend died of Alzheimers years ago. It was beyond sad to stand by and helplessly watch someone dear diminish that way.

Beautiful poem Linda. It would be equally beautiful to read one written for the caregivers.

 

[Bluecheese50]

My husband's much older brother has dementia and is totally away with the fairies. You are better off dead than being in that sort of state in my opinion. I couldn't look after my husband if he had dementia on top of his brain damage, that would be a step too far. I know for a fact he would never have looked after me if I had any sort of disability, which is fair enough.

 

[Linda]

A dear family friend died of Alzheimers years ago. It was beyond sad to stand by and helplessly watch someone dear diminish that way.

Beautiful poem Linda. It would be equally beautiful to read one written for the caregivers.

I hadn't thought of that Chic but you are right. I wish someone would write one for the caregivers. I know it's worse if the patient is a family member but I also know my daughter-in-law loves these people. I haven't heard her mention a man so I guess where she works (in a large home with 6 patients.) they only have ladies. When they came up over New Years she took back 2 boxes of oranges and later emailed me that her grannies loved them.

 

[Pappy]

My step father had dementia or Alzheimer's, not sure what the difference is, and it was so sad to watch him lose contact with everyone around him. Towards the end, he had no idea who I was.

 

[Don M.]

Alzheimers appears to be a "shrinking" of the brain, and there is currently no cure. It appears that there is a buildup of plaque and damage to the neurons, etc., that reduces the size, and therefore, functions of the brain. In that regard, it may be somewhat related to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which leads to things like stroke, and heart failure...but so far researchers have not been able to pinpoint the cause.

Most studies indicate that staying physically, and Mentally active is the best thing a person can do. There are many threads on the forum dedicated to various word games, etc., that can make a person think...and this may be a good thing, rather than just sitting around watching junk on TV all day. In many ways, the brain is like a muscle...If you Don't Use it, you Lose it.