Commented on a discussion 1/1/2010 at 2:02 pm
I reached this site after googling for information. Someone posed the question to me yesterday, "How does a person actually "die" from Alzheimer's disease?" ... My father passed away 3 weeks ago to
...Read MoreI reached this site after googling for information. Someone posed the question to me yesterday, "How does a person actually "die" from Alzheimer's disease?" ... My father passed away 3 weeks ago today (1/1/2010) at the age of 82, from end stage Alzheimer's. He had been healthy all of his life until he had a stroke about 5 yrs ago. This did not affect him physically, but it did affect him mentally. Over the next few years he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He progressed very slowly and remained very active in the yard and house until September 28, 2009. On that day, he wandered on their property behind their home (a couple of acres), fell into a deep hole, and was "missing" for approximately 5 hours. We finally found him with the help of neighbors, EMS, and the police. This traumatic event was the beginning of the end for him. Between that day and December 11, 2009, he only stepped outside twice, for extremely short walks with assistance. My mother (78) and I (51) took care of him at home as his Alzheimer's progressed like lightning through his body, taking full control. In mid-October we brought in Hospice assistance, which was so helpful. Those people are life-savers. They did for Dad, but they also educated us, teaching me many things I could do to help Dad be more comfortable, helping me be a better caregiver. I had a job where I worked from home, however, they were not understanding of my plight in caring for Dad, so I quit my job in order to give all my time to caring for Daddy, feeling in my heart that he would not be with us long. Alzheimer's is the most cruel disease and it affects everyone. I watched it rapidly overtake my father's body and mind in the last months of his life. Alzheimer's is not just a "memory" disease - it just often begins that way. Although I "lived" the answer of "how one dies from Alzheimer's," I was struggling for the words to verbalize that to others. I am trying now to be able to do that. People need to be more aware and informed about Alzheimer's and I intend to do whatever I can to help in that regard so that my father will not have suffered and died in vain. ... I was very glad to see this site. ... Peace to all. ... Diane S.