only backgroundI'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.
My first experience with Alzheimer’s Disease was our next door neighbor when I was growing up. Baba lived with her daughter and her family. She spoke Russian and very little English. My aunt Jo used to sit and talk to her. No, aunt Jo didn’t speak Russian but somehow, they understood each other.
Baba began to get confused and before long would wander off. Neighbors would call to tell us she was walking around the playground or that they’d seen her walking toward the highway. Once, she knocked on my mom’s door and said she was hungry because there was no food in the house. We knew that wasn’t true but my mom gave her a bowl of soup anyway.
Baba was old. Alzheimer’s always seemed like a disease that afflicted old people. In fact, that’s what most of us believe. That isn’t always true, though.
My friend Lori and I went to school together for 12 years. We went to the same church. Lori’s mom was young and pretty and always dressed so well. She was one of the nice moms. Lori and I were in our mid-twenties which means her mom was in her mid to late 40s. My dad mentioned that he worked a church dinner with her and she seemed confused when she was making coffee. She kept stopping and thinking. Her husband had to come over and help her.
About six months later we learned that Lori’s mom had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She wasn’t even 50 yet. I’d never heard of anyone so young having it and that scared me. In fact, it terrifies me now that I am approaching 50. I’m not even so worried about myself as I am about those that would have to care for me. This is one disease that becomes more and more difficult on the family as the patient becomes less and less aware of the symptoms.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America works hard to raise awareness of this disease and to help both those afflicted with Alzheimer’s as well as the families and caretakers of Alzheimer’s patients. The store on their website is currently featuring a beautiful necklace signifying the heart of the caregiver. Not only would this be a lovely gift for all caregivers but would make a perfect holiday gift for anyone with a generous heart and giving spirit. All proceeds from the AFA store benefit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Caring for those with Alzheimer’s can be frustrating and lonely. Losing the person who you had planned to grow old with, in mind if not in body, is devastating. Many must care for loved ones at home since professional care is so costly. The AFA is a helping hand during a time when kindness is needed for both the patient and the caregiver. Please consider shopping at the AFA store this holiday season.
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Alzheimer’s is an awful disease. i took care of two people who had it for years.
One in the 80’s my X father in law, before any one really understood or offered
support. Recently I took care of a dear friend for 5 years, until I could no longer
give the support necessary for him. I hope some day we have a cure. It seems more
and more people are having Alzheimer’s symptoms. Any information given is great.
Thanks for posting.
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call your grandma
It is scary to lose our memory …
I still wonder about the difference between Alzheimer’s and senile dementia. I know that doctors will diagnose one or the other, I’m just not sure how they tell the difference.