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Several years direct experience as caregiver for family member who died of end stage AD. Did lots of research and dealt with a lot of health care professionals and caregivers over the 7 years from diagnosis to the end. Used various care options from community based resources to increasing levels of institutional. Mother of three, two born during our loved one's decline, so I know what it is to be the ham in the sandwich, taking care of the older generation and the younger at the same time and trying to balance everyone`s needs. Ask me, I`ve probably been there, done that. We made lost of mistakes and learned everything the hard way - but you don`t have to! If I can`t answer your question, I`ll steer you to a place or person who can.
Currently a program manager for a large utility company. My Alzheimers experience comes from having the illness in our family. Out of necessity, we did a lot of research in order to understand the disease, plan for what might come next, and make the right decisions to help and support our loved one. Please note, I am a Canadian living in Toronto, and therefore am not the best person to ask about US regulations and insurance rules!
Absolutely nothing. This is a horrible disease and has a terrible impact on families. The positive that comes out of it is being able to help other people who need support and information.
To be helpful - to give accurate, timely, useful information and advice, in a compassionate and supportive manner.
Many families do not realize that "senility" is not a normal part of aging. It always has a cause, and it should never be accepted without a thorough medical exploration. There are treatable causes of confusion, and new drugs to help slow down the progress for incurable causes.
Personal peeve: Doctors who do not take confusion and forgetfulness reported by family members seriously or who do not adequately explain or suggest supports or resources. Caregivers need information, so they can understand what is likely to happen as dementia progresses,and make informed plans for future care with all the financial, legal, emotional and practical issues that go with it.
| User | Date | K | C | P | Comments |
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| Nimi | 01/14/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Mary Gordon has been a source of ..... |
| Anna | 01/02/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you Mary for your reply and ..... |
| Anna | 12/30/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Joyce | 12/17/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | This lady has saved my life, it ..... |
| deb | 11/27/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Mary, I am grateful for your reply ..... |
Hi Nimi, don't blame yourself for finding her care difficult. As they become more helpless, it gets harder and harder to move them. After all, they are often limp and floppy and can't really follow your
Jairo, You are a 22 year old. You may well be having trouble thinking clearly due to anxiety and depression, but you are very, very, VERY unlikely to have an incurable irreversible progressive neurological
Hi Leigh I wish I had a good answer for you. I know this phase is a complete emotional grinder - and a confusing and exhausting one. This kind of fluctuation just happens sometimes, and it is perplexing
There was a recent study that suggested that stress might shrink the brain, but it only involved 103 people, and it was retrospective (i.e. it asked people about their past, rather than following them
I am very, very sorry for your loss. I hope you are taking care of yourself and have lots of family and friends around you to support you through this. Here is the way I look at it. My mother in law
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