Yogi, my grandmother had eight children. My mom and my older uncle passed away. Trust me, it's not easier for the rest of her six children now that she has Alzheimer's. She took the death of her son really hard and her condition got worse after he passed away. Anyway, she is now at the nursing home and although that breaks my heart, I can't see any other way that any of us would've been able to take care of her at home.

Hey, I have 8,100 posts in 12 years. I'm behind Irishman12 by 46,479. It would take me 68 years to make up the difference, provided he stopped today. I'd be 132 years old. I don't think I'll make it.

I'll pray that you do live that long!

Afs, my dad too has dementia that is worsening. He turns 80 next month, but a few weeks ago when he went for his daily brisk walk, which goes on for 4-5 miles around town, he became disoriented, and needed a policeman to take him home. My mom is taking care of him, but we're considering a nursing home or home care. His mom, deceased brother and sister and two living older sisters, all have had dementia, one of whom is in a nursing home. It's a family curse.

I'm able to help out at least once a week as I live 2 hours away. I visited my parents yesterday, went out to lunch, and took my dad for a haircut (last time he went on his own, never made it to his barber of forty years, and came back a few hours later with the worst haircut of his life - who knows where he went?).

It's difficult, but you have to keep a sense of humor, smile through the tears, and try to spread the responsibility around as best as possible. Good luck with your grandmother.

Thanks for sharing kly! It's a really hard situation, but that's a very good advice and I too wish you good luck with your father.

klyd and afsaneh, I know how you two feel and you both have my sympathy. My mom had Alzheimers and it was pretty bad. She had moved back to New York after my father died and we placed her in an assisted living facility. The first year or so it wasn't too bad but she started forgetting a lot of things and she became worse. One day I had a doctor's appointment near where she lived and wanted to surprise her with a visit. I walked in to the place's lobby and saw her sitting with some other women. I went over to say hello and there was absolutely no look of recognition by her. She didn't know who I was. That absolutely crushed me. My own mom didn't know me. I've never gotten over that.

Enjoy what time you have left with your loved ones and hopefully they will know you and be able to feel your love for them.

On the plus side, my mother is home again, so that is good. She has to go back in for various tests and the like but she(we) glad to be back home.

Oh, I feel for you SC. Alzheimers is really cruel. They should call it the long and slow cancer of the brain. I sometimes wonder how the patients feel. It must be really disorienting when family members come up and tell them they should know them. At any rate we do still know them even if they don't remember us. And although the brain is responsible for our personality and thoughts, the body that's responsible for giving us life, is still very dear to us and that's the hard part when it doesn't react to our love the way we wish.

Yogi, that's great news.

Alzheimers is such an awful awful disease. I feel so badly for anyone who has it and their families. Tho not officially diagnosed, my mom was exhibiting many signs of it up until her death in 2012, at 87 yrs old. She wasn't even at a point where she didn't know anybody BUT I could give examples of little things she said/did/didn't know that would make me cry.

However, my cousin had the worse case I have ever seen. She was to the point where she couldn't even speak. At my mom's funeral she came up to me mumbling/making noises. It seemed she was trying to tell me something but she was saying nothing. I remember her as such a sweet lady and to see her end up like that broke my heart. God bless her daughter for taking her everywhere because I don't think I could at that point, do it. She would go to the home/facility she was at and pick her up for certain things. She passed away a couple months ago and I am comforted that she is finally at peace.

Then again, with this disease, it's probably way harder on the family/caregivers because the victim is so unaware of the condition.

Gosh, I really got off track. Sorry!


TIS

Good news, Yogi.

I was glad to make it to the Scranton St. Patrick's Day Parade yesterday with my daughter. My sister and brother and most of their kids were able to make it too. My mother stayed home with my dad as it would be too much trouble for him. She also doesn't like bumping into many friends and acquaintances, who don't know the extent of his dementia. We left the parade early and took my parents out for a nice meal at a local restaurant a few blocks away. It was simple, but memorable.

This UK Daily Mirror article mentions that the pilot's wife and three children moved out of the family's home the day before the plane's disappearance.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/missing-malaysian-airlines-flight-mh370-3248001

Thanks. I hadn't seen that story but I did hear yesterday that they were searching the pilot & co-pilot's homes.

At first I would have guessed the plane crashed. Maybe it did, but now I'm thinking it possibly could have landed somewhere. Thing is, who changed course & why? This just keeps getting more and more intriguing. I feel for the families of the passengers. It's gotta be sheer hell living thru this with no real progress.



TIS

This vanishing plane business is a srange affair and no mistake!!

That's because we're not hearing the full story.

This is sad SC. I feel your pain.

SC, Kly, Afs, Yogi, I am so sorry to hear this. It is so hard to watch our parents age and become ill with whatever. Cancer killed my Mother and a stroke killed my Dad. My mother passed when I was 13 and my Dad passed 4 years ago. I sent a month with my Dad while he was in the hospital. I was with him every day morning to night. Even though it was hard on me to see him in the hospital bed like that I treasure that time with him.

My Father in law is in the first stages of dementia. His memory is leaving, he gets lost driving and that's when he takes his meds for it. When he don't he gets real hateful and it's hard to be around him. Also he has Leukemia which is in remission. I go up once a week and do the laundry for them and help with the house work.

My mother had Alzheimers and finally we had to put her in a dementia/Alzheimers facility. She spent a couple years there before she died at the age of 93. She never had any health issues other than that. She never suffered. It is a disease which is often harder on the family than the patient.

m getting tired of hearing about it day and night and everyone with their opinions

I get to see Becky & Dylan in 2 days. WOOHOO!!

Good for you Mig. I babysat my grandkids today, however, it's mostly before/after school. They are getting so big and do so much on their own now. Cherish every moment!!!!



TIS

Thanks TIS, He is such a blessing. I can't wait to get his good sugars.

Have a fun time, Mig.

Thanks Kly!!

Speaking of grandkids...my little munchkins will be 4 on Sunday. Wasn't long ago we were praying for their premature-ness to be healthy. Oh it they are. Enjoy your visit Mig.

OMG 4 already? You're right it does seem like yesterday. I'll tell you the time is just rushing by. It can slow up a bit any time now.



TIS

I agree, TIS. It was just a blink of the eyes ago when they were born.

Here's a weird fact, speaking of grandchildren. John Tyler, the tenth president of the USA, was born in 1790, a full year before the ratification of the Bill of Rights, has two grandsons still living today.

Is that right? Well how old are they? Very interesting.




TIS