ALZHEIMERS

[bbazemore]

My mother suffers with alzheimers and has been referred as being in the last stages. She has now come to the point where she looses control of of water so this means having to keep her in pampers. She refuses to take a bath which I'm right there to help her. I have no problem taking care of her because she took care of me. My biggest issue is my son (s), my daughter-inlaw, a neighbor, anybody can come by the house and she is all smiles like her old self. When it is just the two of us I catch the devil, not all the time only a portion of it. What makes them turn on the one who is caring fo them. My father passed away August, 2010 now I live with my mother. I gave up my life to care for her. I don't go out, date, have any company just mommy and me. So stressed and depressed  

[koolcraftlady]

I can relate very well with what you are going through.  I was my moms 24/7 caregiver for 3yrs prior to her passing in Dec 2008.  She also suffered from Alzheimers.  The further the progression into the disease, is the worst on the caregiver.  When I had to put mom on hospice care at home, the pastor recommended the book called, "The 36hr Day".  It really helped me understand the disease better and was able to help my mom.  Also it helps if you can go to a counslor for support.  Just remember, most importantly that whatever your mom does or says to you, that it is the disease making her do and say what she does, and please don't take it personally.  I will say a prayer for you, and if no one thanks you, I will.  Thank You for taking care of your mother.  God Bless.

[brenspencer]

I am sorry to hear this it brought tears to my eyes I had a grandfather who had that I was not impacted because I never really seen them but I have watched shows and seen what people go through with the disease and it is sad. Hope all goes well and just love your mom and know she does not really know what she is doing it is the disease.

[tammypete]

I can't relate as far as Alzheimers but I CAN relate as to being the caregiver for a parent.  I took care of my mother for 5 years due to her having COPD and later colon cancer.  It is a very hard road to go down.  I have a brother who did nothing to help but kept insisting for me to put her in a nursing home.  I couldn't do that.  I knew that God would give me the strength to take care of her.  It was very hard not only on me but my husband and 2 kids.  She passed in 2005...and I am so very thankful and blessed that I was able to take care of her.  It is something that you will NEVER regret doing.   I agree in having someone to talk to for support.  Check in your area for local support groups.  I wish you only the best!   God Bless!

[jordandog]

@bbazemore:
I have to give you props for taking care of your Mom, that is becoming a thing of the past here. It is a hard and long road and it's not going to get any easier as time goes by, her condition progresses. I have no idea where you live, but most places have support groups for caregivers and specifically for those caring for family/friends with Alzheimers. I say this because YOU need to take care of your own mental health and being able to talk with others in the same position can do a world of good. One group at my hospital started a program called "Take A Day Off", TADO as we call it, for people who don't have other family/friends willing to give them a break from their duties. The members agree to 'trade' patients for a day off spent doing whatever they want or need to, knowing that the member they traded with is 100% capable and understanding of the situation so they are not a threat to the patient. While some Alzheimer sufferers simply CANNOT tolerate a change, most of them can if it is obvious their temporary caregiver is kind, only there to help (not force them into new things/routines), and that fresh face will often spur the patient into trying something new on their own. The person taking the day off is responsible for scheduling an in-home caregiver for their 'relief' person from a pool of volunteers and is then the next in line to give another member the chance to TADO. It is easy to forget you need time alone and I am sure you don't want to resent having to care for your mother - it comes through in what you wrote how much you love her. All my best, j'dog.

[vickysue]

My neighbor is going through this with her husband and it is really hard on her. The kids all live out of town and we can only do so mush to help out. Thank heavens she is a retired nurse, but boy you have too keep an eye on him at all times. He sometimes shows up at house early . early in the mornings are calls and then forgets what he was calling about. It is not pleasent.

[ancmetro]

      I hope some day someone will find a cure for this terrible disease.

[bbazemore]

  I have read the post referring to my mother or alzheimers people/patients. I began living at my parents home in May of 2010 do to the illness of my dad (cancer) I lost my father to the battle of prostrate cancer in August of 2010. Everysince then I have given up my life to car for my mother. I applied for inhome care for her in September 2010 and all I got was ...she was on the list but they didn't have enough workers right now. My mother only gets medicare therefore foodstamps is out for her, she is elligable for $ 8 - $10 a month, madicaid is a opt out for her, her income is too high. I'm not trying to rely on help that the state provides but her medication prices are outragious and I have to get it because its what she needs. She had a perscription that cost $ 400 and the generic was $200. Thank God for my youngest son whom is now living with us. It does give me a break and allows me to get the air I need to breath. It's so sad to see how a person of her nature was once so lively, very involved in the church as well as the community. When she was working my mother was the FIRST BLACK TO EVER WORK AS A BANK TELLER @ FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK in my home town. She put in 27 years at that bank before she retired. Her number one thing was her dolls and my granddaughter, sometimes she doesn't remember who she is. My mother had so many dolls in the house that my dad built her a doll house in the back yard which looks like a one story house with a balcony and the house is full of dolls. She began loading the house (in which were living in) back up with dolls. Now do to her condition she has no desire to go outside and she has nothing to do with her dolls. It hurts to see her the way she is compared to how she use to be. THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU FOR YOUR POST, for me to repost its a big help because it allows me to release and let go. I don't know you but I love you and God be with you all. My name is Brenda and I'm from North Carolina