Alheimers and Me
This is personal. Very personal. Although my coping skills are very good, I felt it necessary to
write about this journey.
This journey is not mine, per say. This journey, is of my parents.
Preface: Mom and dad are in their 70's, with Mom being 2 years older than Dad. Several years
ago, I noticed, much to my great sadness, that my parents were drifting slowly into
dementia, or as known today, Alzheimers. In life, sometimes our choices are painful. In this
case, my choices are agonizing ones.
The choices I speak of are, when it comes time, do my parents be confined to a nursing home
(this makes me want to vomit) or to live in an assisted care facility (this makes me want to
vomit as well). Dad and I have spoken in depth, about his and moms wishes. It was a
difficult discussion. Dad thinks he can take care of mom. I know he will be able to, up to a
point. See I've been down this fork in the road before, with my grandmother.
That was over 10 years ago. And the pain in my dads eyes, I'll never forget. There were
times when I visited my grandmother, that she didn't know who I was.
The doctors have said there is nothing they can do. I say, "I don't think so!", and told Dad
that wasn't an acceptable answer. So, there were a battery of tests on Mom. She's had
trouble with her thyroid for years, and has taken medication for it. That's the first thing
the doctor said could be the culprit. So meds were increased, and blood tests were done
every two weeks. Then the meds were decreased. The doctor said the adjustment of meds
seems to have helped. Mom is also on a med that targets Alheimers directly. I'm not sure of
what its called. But it seems to be helping a little at least.
This is so hard; knowing what is to come in the future. Am I ready? Well, that's debatable. I
don't think any of us are ready to watch our parents fade into oblivion. I know I'm not.
write about this journey.
This journey is not mine, per say. This journey, is of my parents.
Preface: Mom and dad are in their 70's, with Mom being 2 years older than Dad. Several years
ago, I noticed, much to my great sadness, that my parents were drifting slowly into
dementia, or as known today, Alzheimers. In life, sometimes our choices are painful. In this
case, my choices are agonizing ones.
The choices I speak of are, when it comes time, do my parents be confined to a nursing home
(this makes me want to vomit) or to live in an assisted care facility (this makes me want to
vomit as well). Dad and I have spoken in depth, about his and moms wishes. It was a
difficult discussion. Dad thinks he can take care of mom. I know he will be able to, up to a
point. See I've been down this fork in the road before, with my grandmother.
That was over 10 years ago. And the pain in my dads eyes, I'll never forget. There were
times when I visited my grandmother, that she didn't know who I was.
The doctors have said there is nothing they can do. I say, "I don't think so!", and told Dad
that wasn't an acceptable answer. So, there were a battery of tests on Mom. She's had
trouble with her thyroid for years, and has taken medication for it. That's the first thing
the doctor said could be the culprit. So meds were increased, and blood tests were done
every two weeks. Then the meds were decreased. The doctor said the adjustment of meds
seems to have helped. Mom is also on a med that targets Alheimers directly. I'm not sure of
what its called. But it seems to be helping a little at least.
This is so hard; knowing what is to come in the future. Am I ready? Well, that's debatable. I
don't think any of us are ready to watch our parents fade into oblivion. I know I'm not.
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Comments (2)
Stupid Girlfriend1
Lisa,
I somewhat understand what you are going through my husbands Uncle has had it for three years now and has been going down hill. This subject I want surgar coat and no one should because it's one most us will face in life our selfs or with our parents as you are now.
I just want to tell you I am proud of you for what you have done so far and your courage to come forward and share it with all of us here at Apsense. Each walk of this horrible journey can be good and bad. Have you a
Lisa G.9
Health Wellness & Wealth Consultant
Hi Lisa,
I'm very sorry to hear about your parents. My father In law recently had to go to a nursing home, despite everyones wishes in the family to keep him at home. It was to a point where he truly needed daily medical attention and was doing more harm to himself by being at home.
My heart goes out to you. It's a very difficult stage in ones life, to see their parents like this and making a decision as to the best way to handle it.
On the bright side, I remember some fund memories of