Do You Ever Worry About Getting Dementia?

MissRJ said:
Thank you.

My father passed Thursday,December 13,2007.
I doubt if there was anyone that even bothered to consider how that loss would continue to affect me.
Recently, some months ago a relative realized that 16 years later, I still have not gotten over the loss of my father.

If I should get Dementia, there will be nobody that I know of that will be around to ensure that I get proper care.
It is basically just me at age 60 and my mother at age 82.
I am in telephone contact with one elder family member.
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Well I donā€™t even know you and I can certainly understand how illness and the loss of a parent could have devastating long term effects. In fact, I think many people CAN relate to the long term grief that comes from personal loss. Itā€™s something thatā€™s not often discussed openly perhaps due to the sensitivity of the topic. One thing you could do is open up a conversation about it here at this forum. You might find many others who feel similar to you which may help.

There are many stages in grieving but I donā€™t think we ever get over the loss of loved ones. We just learn how to manage our grief better over time.
 

First, having any disease is not a pleasure. But having worked with Alzheimer patients, to me, it seems that families bear the brunt of the disease. Most of the patients didn't realize they had it. Yet, their erratic behaviors, and the loss of the "personality" is hell for loved ones. There isn't any real, valid, true way of preventing the disease. So what will be.....................
 
fuzzybuddy said:
But having worked with Alzheimer patients, to me, it seems that families bear the brunt of the disease.
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I agree.
The primary doctor of my aunt said it was harder on me (the caregiver) than on her.
I didnā€™t understand at the time but understand now after going through so much.
Itā€™s heartbreaking.

I donā€™t ā€œworryā€ about getting dementia. I try not to worry about anything.
But, I do hope and pray I donā€™t get the horrible disease.

I do not want my children to have to go through that, ever.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Doctor. concerned about early signs of dementia from ongoing forgetfulness. I took a memory test and failed. Followup appointment in six months. My question is how much short-term memory will I lose overtime. I can't remember passwords, I use a password manager and iCloud to help me recall passwords.

I'm not in much pain and that is good. I ran out of 2 medications last week and requested refills from Walmart mail order pharmacy. Called Walmart yesterday about the medication and when will they arrive? Was told not until the 14th. I scrambled to reach my doctor to request a small amount of the medications sent to a local pharmacy. Wife and I were in our bedclothes driving across town to the pharmacy window.
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Not remembering passwords is not unusual. Keeping track of meds can also be complicated. You sound a lot like me, and I hope we are both quite normal.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Well I donā€™t even know you and I can certainly understand how illness and the loss of a parent could have devastating long term effects. In fact, I think many people CAN relate to the long term grief that comes from personal loss. Itā€™s something thatā€™s not often discussed openly perhaps due to the sensitivity of the topic. One thing you could do is open up a conversation about it here at this forum. You might find many others who feel similar to you which may help.

There are many stages in grieving but I donā€™t think we ever get over the loss of loved ones. We just learn how to manage our grief better over time.
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My father has been gone for 16 years.
I tried multiple things-to help me deal and cope with the loss.
He was a good husband, good father, good son to his parents, a good brother and a good employee.
 
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Mr. Ed said:
Doctor. concerned about early signs of dementia from ongoing forgetfulness. I took a memory test and failed. Followup appointment in six months. My question is how much short-term memory will I lose overtime. I can't remember passwords, I use a password manager and iCloud to help me recall passwords.

I'm not in much pain and that is good. I ran out of 2 medications last week and requested refills from Walmart mail order pharmacy. Called Walmart yesterday about the medication and when will they arrive? Was told not until the 14th. I scrambled to reach my doctor to request a small amount of the medications sent to a local pharmacy. Wife and I were in our bedclothes driving across town to the pharmacy window.
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Write down your internet user names and their passwords.
Try sticking with the same or similiar username and password.
It will help you to remember.

Keep a medication chart.
Write down what time you take what medication.
 
Losing memory at any time in life is a worrisome thing. Some memory loses can be accountable, like having amnesia after an accident or concussion. Usually the memories come back shortly afterwards.

Losing memory through trauma is something altogether. Some memories might come back weeks, months , years, decades later and when they do, it can be very shocking to the mind. The realization that youā€™ve been abused and taken advantage of for half your life is really scary stuff. You may wish you never remembered. šŸ™
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Losing memory at any time in life is a worrisome thing. Some memory loses can be accountable, like having amnesia after an accident or concussion. Usually the memories come back shortly afterwards.

Losing memory through trauma is something altogether. Some memories might come back weeks, months , years, decades later and when they do, it can be very shocking to the mind. The realization that youā€™ve been abused and taken advantage of for half your life is really scary stuff. You may wish you never remembered. šŸ™
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My mother and three of her sisters died of Alzheimer's, so yes, it enters my mind more often than it should. If I get it, I pray that it takes me out quick. But only the good Lord knows how it'll play out.
 
vintageMo said:
My mother and three of her sisters died of Alzheimer's, so yes, it enters my mind more often than it should. If I get it, I pray that it takes me out quick. But only the good Lord knows how it'll play out.
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Iā€™m sorry for your loss. That must be somewhat frightening . All I can suggest is soak up every moment of happiness that you can NOW. Change the things you can and let the rest go. Worrying does nothing but stress you out needlessly. Have a great day. ā˜€ļø
 
I am in the 'Gene' camp when it comes to Alzheimer/Dementia.
Our Genes tell us alot about who we are.
When my Gene results showed two of the markers for the on-set of Alzheimer/Dementia,
the study I am in intensified.

The University, who is doing the research, asked me to keep a kind of journal
of daily interactions and how I felt after taking the 'skill test' they have come up with.
( I do a lot of their written test weekly and I guess they use them as a sort of marker to track
how things are going.)
They also ask me to track my diet and other factors.

My wife also adds notes of her observations, which I add to the journal.

I'm happy to do the study, if it helps just a little bit in their research.
 
As we get older, it's important to recognize the symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer's, and seek professional help if these conditions are suspected.

My Sister and BIL, in Denver, began to show symptoms about 5 or 6 years ago. They had no kids to "Watch" over them, but there are several cousins nearby, who all began to express concerns. We flew there about 4 years ago, and it was obvious that they were in decline. However, they refused to seek medical/psychiatric care....they were OK, and it was everyone else who was in decline...in their opinion. Their eating habits were strange, and their housekeeping, and hygiene, etc. was being ignored. It was disheartening to experience. They finally had to sell their house and move to a senior care facility, where they Finally began to get some care, but the damage was done.

My Sister passed away about 18 months ago, and the BIL joined her this past April. Both of them were "vegetables" in their final months, and had no idea of what was going on. We all wonder why they both went downhill at the same time. House inspections, etc. showed No signs of contamination....asbestos, radon, etc., so we'll never know what happened to them.

Bottom line....as we age, listen to friends and family, and don't hesitate to seek help if you suspect things are getting "strange". Some conditions can be treated if diagnosed early. Failure to seek help just stresses anyone who cares about you.
 
Let's get dark for a moment.

If I knew dementia, or Alzheimers, was part of my future, I'd start planning to end it myself. I had an aunt who got dementia. She spent two years in bed, curled up in a ball, not knowing who visited and who didn't. She finally found peace. I see no benefit of allowing that to happen to myself, or to those who might give a damn. While it was in my power, I'd bring it to a close.

/end of darkness.
 
Feelslikefar said:
I am in the 'Gene' camp when it comes to Alzheimer/Dementia.
Our Genes tell us alot about who we are.
When my Gene results showed two of the markers for the on-set of Alzheimer/Dementia,
the study I am in intensified.

The University, who is doing the research, asked me to keep a kind of journal
of daily interactions and how I felt after taking the 'skill test' they have come up with.
( I do a lot of their written test weekly and I guess they use them as a sort of marker to track
how things are going.)
They also ask me to track my diet and other factors.

My wife also adds notes of her observations, which I add to the journal.

I'm happy to do the study, if it helps just a little bit in their research.
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Thatā€™s actually quite interesting. Maybe since you are part of this survey helps you try harder with your diet etc. I know it would me.
Itā€™s also unique in that you might get the best most up to date info about this.
 
VaughanJB said:
Let's get dark for a moment.

If I knew dementia, or Alzheimers, was part of my future, I'd start planning to end it myself. I had an aunt who got dementia. She spent two years in bed, curled up in a ball, not knowing who visited and who didn't. She finally found peace. I see no benefit of allowing that to happen to myself, or to those who might give a damn. While it was in my power, I'd bring it to a close.

/end of darkness.
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Me too. I had an alternative plan but can see that backfiring on me. It actually has already. One has to be very careful about talking about such things even if itā€™s legalized. Crazy but true.
 
Don M. said:
As we get older, it's important to recognize the symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer's, and seek professional help if these conditions are suspected.

My Sister and BIL, in Denver, began to show symptoms about 5 or 6 years ago. They had no kids to "Watch" over them, but there are several cousins nearby, who all began to express concerns. We flew there about 4 years ago, and it was obvious that they were in decline. However, they refused to seek medical/psychiatric care....they were OK, and it was everyone else who was in decline...in their opinion. Their eating habits were strange, and their housekeeping, and hygiene, etc. was being ignored. It was disheartening to experience. They finally had to sell their house and move to a senior care facility, where they Finally began to get some care, but the damage was done.

My Sister passed away about 18 months ago, and the BIL joined her this past April. Both of them were "vegetables" in their final months, and had no idea of what was going on. We all wonder why they both went downhill at the same time. House inspections, etc. showed No signs of contamination....asbestos, radon, etc., so we'll never know what happened to them.

Bottom line....as we age, listen to friends and family, and don't hesitate to seek help if you suspect things are getting "strange". Some conditions can be treated if diagnosed early. Failure to seek help just stresses anyone who cares about you.
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So sorry for the loss of your sister Don
 
Hawkdon1 said:
Welll, father, mother, oldest brother all died with alzheimers...so
I'm probably on the list....and with my memory slipping on these passwords it may not be too awfully long!!!!
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I donā€™t think itā€™s in my family history but my memory is going fast since we got here.
No surprise there. šŸ«¤
 
helenbacque said:
Iā€™m 90 and still have good cognitive skills so I guess Iā€™m o.k.
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Same here, Helen. I'll be 90 in a couple of months (wife's 87}. We're still plugging along and although more forgetful than in past years we still function reasonably well.
Our oldest daughter drove us up to Maine for a couple of weeks stay at our middle daughter's cottage. Yesterday my wife and I took the grocery list, went to the market and picked up a large order. The store is unfamiliar to us. Haven't been there in 3 or 4 years, but we found what was needed and drove back to the cottage so, although a bit slow, we don't seem to have "lost our marbles - - -yet"

We've been lucky or blessed - - -or a little of both.:)
 
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