Will she live past her 70's, or is she likely to die before she is in her 60's? How will my dad deal with things he doesn't say it but seems overwhelmed already. Is there help for him to take care of her once she can't care for herself?
Sorry, my text first part was deleted, when you asked.
Will she live past her 70's, or is she likely to die before she is in her 60's? I looked on the internet and there were answers to this that were not specific to your mother, and I would highly recommend relying on her doctor, as the doctor and counselors, can really assist more with your personal situation. I hope that makes sense.
I wanted to share with you that I looked on the internet for dates of not understand or knowing you, and that has answers from a - z, meaning everyone has different interpretations. Knowing that, I would rely on the doctor, and the doctor, is a large part of this for the answers.
Keep up the questions, and we look forward to hearing from you again.
1. First of all, find out from the doctor what stage of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia your loved one currently is in. My mom fought so long and hard to avoid diagnosis that we were thrown into dealing with issues caused by the middle stages of Alzheimer’s. Because of this, our family faced different challenges than those faced by a family that hears an earlier diagnosis. Therefore, you need to know what the current starting point is for your caregiving efforts so you can effectively tailor your efforts.
2. Begin to educate yourself about Alzheimer’s or dementia and what it will mean for your loved one. There are several websites that provide a lot of good information. Do not forget that old fashion going to churches, Senior Centers, Local Churches also offers a wealth of information. When my mom was first diagnosed, however, this website wasn’t yet in existence. Know I know that their are great books on the stages, and what to expect with Alzheimer's are available. *My mother was not an early adult onset alzheimer's disease client. She started suffering 8 plus years ago, but in reality, the signs very faint signs were there about 11 years ago.
3. Develop your own support group. In my case, I was fortunate to have friends who had dealt both with Alzheimer’s and with caring for aging parents who were willing to give advice. I’d strongly suggest that you identify these people in your life and then begin to learn from their experiences. I’d also encourage you to find and participate in an Alzheimer’s support group in your area, I know for me and my two sisters and father, this was extremely appropriate and helpful for us, and we felt it brought us together as a family, regardless of what was going on. And be sure to stay involved with online communities or local communities. Agingcare.com as you know you ask, and people of all different walks will give you answers, or suggestions, and they have for the most part be very very informative and or helpful. Also, try sharing your story with others, it is amazing what happens.
4. Identify roles for family members and take care of one key task. It’s all too easy to totally jump into the caregiving role in response to a loved one’s diagnosis. However, that can lead to burn out as well as frayed relationships with other family members based on your perceptions of their level of caregiving support. Therefore, I’d strongly encourage you to hold a family meeting in which you discuss who will assume different roles, such as caregiving, maintaining finances, etc. Brainstorm all pertinent tasks and then share the load within the family or identify how the issue will be handled. And at least one family member should make sure that one key task is completed - all legal documents needed for end-of-life care are completed and maintained in a central location. Some times this can become too overwhelming for all members in the family. Really focus to see where everyone's emotional level is at before going into this area.
5. Begin to carve out some quality time daily for self-care. You’re embarking on a long, winding and stressful road. Trust me when I tell you that it’s very easy to put off taking care of yourself, especially in the early rush of caregiving. And then as the stress increases, you begin to see and feel the consequences of putting yourself last (such as not sleeping, gaining weight, etc.). This vicious cycle can lead to the deterioration of your own health; if that happens, you’re not going to be fully there as a caregiver for your loved one. Therefore, it is critical that you begin on Day One to carve out some time for yourself. Take a walk. Go see a movie. Eat healthy meals. Know that whatever you do, practicing self-care is an important gift to yourself and to your loved one.
These five tips can help set the tone for your caregiving efforts. By focusing on these five areas, you can better deal with the issues that will arise in your caregiving journey.
I hope this helps. I have learned and written this down, from when my mother was diagnosed 8 years ago, and when she was diagnosed, much of this was information I learned or was taught as I was moving through this.
Again, thankfully, she is 87, and is in Assisted Living, and doing the best she can, and we make sure (entire family), that we take turns to avoid burnout.
I wish you all of the prayers, patience and good fortune in the world. Remember your mother loves you, and knows that there is something different, but this is just to her something that is different. Stating that, however, others may be far more cognitively aware, and have the ability to know what Alzheimer's Disease means.
I am very sorry for this devastating news that your family must face.
Was mother specifically diagnosed with early "Alzheimer's" or just early "dementia." Forgetting loved ones is not a feature of every kind of dementia. It is common in Alzheimer's. As I understand it, that typically happens in one of the very late stages.
Within the next year you may get a sense whether the dementia is progressing quickly or slowly. Until then, talking about life expectancy is just speculation.
Take one day at a time. Focus on Now. Join a dementia caregivers' group, and encourage your father to join one. There are many good days ahead of you yet. Seize each one.
I realize that every case is different. My boss' wife was diagnosed with Alzeimer's 12 years ago when she was 71.... it took a few years before she started to forget people's names [don't we all at various times].... now in her 12th year, the only person she knows is her husband. Maybe because he is very attentive of her, holding her hand, kissing her hand, snuggling when they watch TV, bringing her flowers, etc.
Define soon. Next week, no. Next year, maybe. Five years, yes. You can help Dad by taking mom to doctor visits, and getting a health care proxy. And have your hubby take dad fishing or golfing. Join an Alzheimer's group at a nearby nursing home, listen when people say " I wish I would have..." Learn from others' mistakes.
Will she live past her 70's, or is she likely to die before she is in her 60's? I looked on the internet and there were answers to this that were not specific to your mother, and I would highly recommend relying on her doctor, as the doctor and counselors, can really assist more with your personal situation. I hope that makes sense.
Tank you.
Keep up the questions, and we look forward to hearing from you again.
All the Best.
2. Begin to educate yourself about Alzheimer’s or dementia and what it will mean for your loved one. There are several websites that provide a lot of good information. Do not forget that old fashion going to churches, Senior Centers, Local Churches also offers a wealth of information. When my mom was first diagnosed, however, this website wasn’t yet in existence. Know I know that their are great books on the stages, and what to expect with Alzheimer's are available. *My mother was not an early adult onset alzheimer's disease client. She started suffering 8 plus years ago, but in reality, the signs very faint signs were there about 11 years ago.
3. Develop your own support group. In my case, I was fortunate to have friends who had dealt both with Alzheimer’s and with caring for aging parents who were willing to give advice. I’d strongly suggest that you identify these people in your life and then begin to learn from their experiences. I’d also encourage you to find and participate in an Alzheimer’s support group in your area, I know for me and my two sisters and father, this was extremely appropriate and helpful for us, and we felt it brought us together as a family, regardless of what was going on. And be sure to stay involved with online communities or local communities. Agingcare.com as you know you ask, and people of all different walks will give you answers, or suggestions, and they have for the most part be very very informative and or helpful. Also, try sharing your story with others, it is amazing what happens.
4. Identify roles for family members and take care of one key task. It’s all too easy to totally jump into the caregiving role in response to a loved one’s diagnosis. However, that can lead to burn out as well as frayed relationships with other family members based on your perceptions of their level of caregiving support. Therefore, I’d strongly encourage you to hold a family meeting in which you discuss who will assume different roles, such as caregiving, maintaining finances, etc. Brainstorm all pertinent tasks and then share the load within the family or identify how the issue will be handled. And at least one family member should make sure that one key task is completed - all legal documents needed for end-of-life care are completed and maintained in a central location. Some times this can become too overwhelming for all members in the family. Really focus to see where everyone's emotional level is at before going into this area.
5. Begin to carve out some quality time daily for self-care. You’re embarking on a long, winding and stressful road. Trust me when I tell you that it’s very easy to put off taking care of yourself, especially in the early rush of caregiving. And then as the stress increases, you begin to see and feel the consequences of putting yourself last (such as not sleeping, gaining weight, etc.). This vicious cycle can lead to the deterioration of your own health; if that happens, you’re not going to be fully there as a caregiver for your loved one. Therefore, it is critical that you begin on Day One to carve out some time for yourself. Take a walk. Go see a movie. Eat healthy meals. Know that whatever you do, practicing self-care is an important gift to yourself and to your loved one.
These five tips can help set the tone for your caregiving efforts. By focusing on these five areas, you can better deal with the issues that will arise in your caregiving journey.
I hope this helps. I have learned and written this down, from when my mother was diagnosed 8 years ago, and when she was diagnosed, much of this was information I learned or was taught as I was moving through this.
Again, thankfully, she is 87, and is in Assisted Living, and doing the best she can, and we make sure (entire family), that we take turns to avoid burnout.
I wish you all of the prayers, patience and good fortune in the world. Remember your mother loves you, and knows that there is something different, but this is just to her something that is different. Stating that, however, others may be far more cognitively aware, and have the ability to know what Alzheimer's Disease means.
Blessings to you,
-
Was mother specifically diagnosed with early "Alzheimer's" or just early "dementia." Forgetting loved ones is not a feature of every kind of dementia. It is common in Alzheimer's. As I understand it, that typically happens in one of the very late stages.
Within the next year you may get a sense whether the dementia is progressing quickly or slowly. Until then, talking about life expectancy is just speculation.
Take one day at a time. Focus on Now. Join a dementia caregivers' group, and encourage your father to join one. There are many good days ahead of you yet. Seize each one.