Alzheimer's Disease

Has anyone had any experiece with this with a love one?
My Grandpa, (papa) has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. I have done some Wikipedia and WebMD research, but really still am not sure what more to expect. My Papa is very important to me, I consider him to be more of a father then grandpa. We are extremelly close and I am jut miserable knowing he and us are going to be fighting this disease.

Re: Alzheimer's Disease

First off Im sorry. I have been there,my grandpa had it also. I wont lie it was very hard for us as a family. It was like we didnt even know him, he was a completely different man from the man i knew and loved. There is alot I can say but not sure how much you want to know, you can FM if you want to talk.

Re: Alzheimer's Disease

I am so sorry to hear that. My grandma had dimensia which turned into alzheimers. She had it for many years. It started slowly, she would forget normal things every once in awhile- who people were, how to do certain things. Then it progressed into not remebering how to do much of anything, thinking she was in the past, thinking people were other people (like my mom was her sister nad they were all teenagers). Eventually she had to go to a nursing home type place.

It's a horrible, horrible disese that takes its toll on the family. My por mom spent so much itme and money and energy taking care of my grandma (who lived 3 states away) with NO help from her brother or most people.

Good luck to you and your family.

Re: Alzheimer's Disease

I'm sorry you're going through this. It's a horrible disease that affects every member of the family.

My MIL has it. She's still able to recognize us, and days are measured in "good days" and "bad days". She's on various meds and goes to an adult care facility every day.

She doesn't engage in conversation, but will answer a question if asked directly. It might not be the right answer, but it's a response.

What shocked me the most is her physical appearance. She used to gt her hair done every week, always wore makeup and jewelry. Now her hair is brushed flat, no makeup etc.

I really don't have any advice; just love him like you always have. Maybe show him some family pictures and try to engage him?

Again....

Re: Alzheimer's Disease

Posted by LINewbie

I am so sorry to hear that. My grandma had dimensia which turned into alzheimers. She had it for many years. It started slowly, she would forget normal things every once in awhile- who people were, how to do certain things. Then it progressed into not remebering how to do much of anything, thinking she was in the past, thinking people were other people (like my mom was her sister nad they were all teenagers). Eventually she had to go to a nursing home type place.


sThis is what happened to my grandma, it got worse when my grandpa died. My dad took care of her, and it took a toll on him emotionally as well as physically.
It got bad towards the end, and my dad had to put her in an Adult Home, NOT a nursing home.
We visited her every other day and my dad visited her every day. They need to see those familiar faces, even though she had no idea who we were in the end.
But she made it to my wedding which meant everything to me.

Re: Alzheimer's Disease

My grandmother has had Alzheimer's for many years. She is extremely strong and has continued on in a very advanced stage of Alzheimer's. She started out about 14 years ago with dimensia when my grandfather died. I feel that the first few years are the hardest for the family because the person is very hard to take care of. If they live alone they can be a danger to themselves (forgetting to turn off the stove, locking themselves out of the house, etc). My father had my grandmother on a battery of vitamins and nontraditional remedies that I believe have prolonged her life. But in all honestly I think you have to consider quality of life when doing these things. My grandmother has been incoherent for several years now.

The best thing to do to help your grandfather is spend time with him. It is hard, especially when they start repeating themselves, getting disoriented, forgetting who you are. But it does help slow things down. There are also some good websites where I found products for my grandmother, things to stimulate her mind. I don't have them saved anymore because she is passed that, but you can do a google search.

I wish I had happier news for you but unfortunately it is a really horrible, sad disease. Make the best of it and enjoy your grandfather.

Re: Alzheimer's Disease

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa having Alzheimers , My grandmother god bless her soul had Alzheimer's disease, She started out with dementia and was alway's confused she thought people were stealing from her when she was hiding her money, She thought the world was coming to an end and had her pocketbook in her hand telling us we have to get prepared for the end of the world, It was scary, she went into an insistant livng home for a year and when her disease progressed she had to go into a nursing home, She eventually passed away from Alzheimers... I hope they find a cure for this disease i really do.