Joan305, Namenda and Aerocept are often prescribed together as they treat different aspects of this disease (from what I understand). My mother recently passed from end stage Alzheimer's and I believe the medications did help to slow the progression of the disease but only God really knows. To me it is worth trying as it might help but if you don't try using the meds your loved one will not receive any help. Take care and God bless, Ron

How do you know which type of dementia /altzhhemer a person has and what stage they are in? I'm helping my sister and started going to the neurologist with her March of last year, 16 months now and we are not told much of anything. Started on Namenda last March and it didn't do anything to help or slow the process from what i can tell. Neurologist wanted us to add Aerocept which I never did. She ia also taking vitamin B12 - 5,000 mcg sublingual,. Has been ony cholesterol statin med and zoloff antidepressant several years. Thinking of stopping neurologists and just seeing her primary care doc to treat dementia since not much neurologists can do. Any info appreciated.

I think the real cause of AD has been re-discovered and brought to general attention. Specifically the "germ" theory, that is microbial infection of brain tissue. Expect VERY quick progress within 24 months and definitive research which pegs 85%+ of all diagnoses. Treatment will be based on available drugs with great success in PREVENTION.

What we can do now with zero risk of harm is to increase circulating vitamin D levels to 70 ng/ml, 25 OH D. "Vitamin" D clears brain plaques as efficiently as any known molecule of ANY origin ( ZERO SIDE EFFECTS) while arresting/mitigating infections of all types. It is BY FAR the most potent human molecule in this regard.

Wow...it looks very likely AD is a symptom of chronic brain infection by many of the usual suspects.

Who knew?

it frightenes me i have had alz about 1 yEar i haaave a uti i had a few episodes that were scarry

I recently came across this blog and wonder if it's still an open blog since the last comment posted was in 2015.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative illness of the brain where cognitive abilities continue to die over time. It cannot be cured to stop the progression and finally the body will shut down.

My mom just died , I still can believe it even do I new her illness was terminally but I was thinking we had more time. I have so much pain on me, I took care of her all the way to the end. She stop walking about two years ago, suddenly she just did not walk anymore, and was not eating or drinking properly, lately, lost a lot of weight, This is so hard....

My mother had her 90th birthday on May 6th. She's had Alzheimer's for about the last 10 years. Until October, 2012, my father was able to care for her at home, but after the second time she fell and could not get up, he arranged for her to move to a nursing home.
This turned out to be very good for both of them. She had the care she needed, and he could spend 6+ hours a day with her, as well as socializing with other residents and staff.
He died March 2, unexpectedly, from pneumonia complications. Mom is still at the nursing home, 5 hours from me and 10 hours from my sister. Her body is too strong to fail, but her mind is gone. She cannot walk or talk, but she still eats all her meals. She signed a do not resuscitate order back when she could, but her body still keeps going.
My sister and I are trying to decide what to do: to leave her there, where she has gotten good care (albeit with my father present to notice and appreciate) or to move her to my town where I can visit daily. Cost is a factor - the nursing homes will cost about the same, but the move could cost $1000 we don't have. Plus, moving her would take her out of familiar surroundings - even though those familiar surroundings are a nursing home, a place she never wanted to be in the first place.
I know she is ready to go, since Dad is no longer there. I don't want to leave her alone, but I can't afford to drive there and stay in a hotel more than once a month.
As my aunt reminded me recently, there is no correct decision here.
I lost my mother, the one who knew all the family stories, wrote wonderful letters to everyone including the local newspapers, and kept me on my toes, about 6 years ago. I feel I lose her again everytime I see her, and that I'm letting her down every time l have to leave her.
My sister thinks she's in the final stages and doesn't know what's going on around her, but the last time I saw her, when I told her it was time for me to leave, she reached for my hand and looked at me so longingly, like there was something she wanted but she couldn't tell me what.
I told her "Mom, I know you're ready to go, but there's nothing I can do. I'd suffocate you with a pillow if I could... "
As others have written, thanks for reading this. I appreciate the chance to share with others who are dealing with the same loss.

I have found so many helpful things on this discussion. I had been researching how people die from Alzheimer's. My very petite Mother has most of the symptoms of Alzheimer's but has not been officially diagnosed. The doctor will say Dementia, possibly Alzheimer's. She is having times of having a difficult time swallowing, cannot remember what was said or happened 2 minutes before to not remembering to eat or drink. Other days she does fairly well. I had noticed certain things 2 years ago and brought it to her attention and begged her to go to the doctor so we would know what was happening. She would say no one could help her and refuse to go. A year ago during the fall of the year, she experienced a lot of changes. While I was gone for a week on our annual vacation, my daughter watched over her grandma. It was an eye opening experience for her. My Mom would ask my daughter when I was coming home everyday, even though I was calling her each evening. Last August something happened that was really bad. After speaking to her on the phone that morning and hearing how sick she was I drove to her home ... I live 2 minutes away (or less when I have to). She had been throwing up everywhere, non stop and babbling making no sense. I called an ambulance not knowing what had happened. Even with durable POA, they would not take her to the hospital because she was able to answer the questions correctly and she refused to go. Two weeks later, with a continual decline in health, she allowed me to take her to the ER. She had a wonderful doctor. He discovered she had the worst case of Scoliosis he had seen with 3 fractures along with the advancement of her Osteoporosis . He commented he didn't know how she dealt with the pain but she was taking so much OTC medicine that she had damaged her stomach. Mother had suffered so badly. She was also dehydrated so she spent 2 nights in the hospital. She was in a daze the complete time but ate very well. Finally, when she was given 30 mg of morphine twice daily, did she have relief. I don't want to ask the doctor if the medication could be making her mind worse for fear he will take it away. Today was a bad, sad day. She remembered nothing and said she didn't know why she had to live like this after being so active up to her current age of 90. I left her tonight, after given her the med's, with her soft scent of Merle Norman cosmetics, small, frail body and telling me she would do whatever I said because she knew I cared. The nighttime hours seem to be the most difficult for me. This is not my Mother but she knows me, her home and her family. Yet she is confined to her home because she never feels good and was told not to drive. My heart is breaking so badly. It is so sad to read how Alzheimer's could end her life because of not be able to swallowing. She has a Health Proxy and Advance Directive and I accept the fact that she has no quality of life, yet, this is such a horribly sad way for a person's life to end. I pray she could just go peacefully to sleep in the home she loves. I apologize for such a lengthily comment. Seemed to be good therapy for me to get these things off of my chest. I'm sorry, yet thank you.

Yes this is not just losing your memory but it also affect your capacity to perform well in our daily activities. They tend to forget everything such as the proper way of eating, they tend to have trouble in their speech and as mentioned about the swallowing problem. This may lead to complications.

My uncle died of Alzheimers about 6 years ago and just reading all these comments i can finally understand why no one would let me see him after he went into the hospital. I was 12 when he died and dont know how long he had been fighting for but i still to this day miss him more than anything in the world. He was such an amazing man and a very loving uncle and just thinking about how this disease made him suffer makes my heart break all over again. I hope we can find a cure soon so people wont have to suffer like my uncle did or anyone else that any of you who are reading this have lost or have that are suffering. RIP Uncle Nippy and RIP all those who have died from Alzheimers

my grandfather died just yesterday because of the Alzheimer he's been fighting for the last 10 years. He couldn't swallow at the last stage so he was driven to the hospital, where he died to days later :( RIP grandfather. I hope people find a cure to this horrible disease

My heart is breaking as I read all of these posts. It is so refreshing to have somewhere to go for conversation and to share experiences. My mother loves music. She loves to sing and dance and I make that a daily routine. I am fighting now to find a job where i can work from home so i can spend all of my time with my mom. My husband and I separated 2 years ago, because he could not understand the level of dedication I had for caring for my mom, he asked me to choose and he lost. I know every moment I have with her is so precious and I dont want to miss a moment of it. i record all of our dancing and us singing together. Every year I have her with me instead of a birthday party, I have a celebration of life party, she loves to feel like she is the center of attention so it gives her, her moment to shine. I am one of those people who will crumble if I lose her.

Hi my name is Sharon I am a 37 year old woman caring for my 81 year old mom who has Alzheimers. I am her full time caregiver. She was diagnosed with Alzheimers 6 years ago. Most recently her mood has changed, she has become more angrily, and aggressive, verbally, she is always sleepy and her apetite is decreasing. It takes alot more encouragment to get her to consume 3 square meals a day. this is one of the most painful and heart felt diseases not only for the person who has circum to it but also for the family members who care for them. Are there any support groups for the family members available?

My father die about 2 months ago at age 92 from alzheimer. The whole procees lasted abot 4-5 years, but it hit overdrive in 2 weeks and he ahd a stroke and lasted 2 agonizing days. It was very very sad,he did not now anyone but me my son and his wife and sometimes he will forget too. He used to poop and pie on hinself every hour or so adn the more difficult thing was that he said that his house was not his and will want to constantly leave. When he die it did not hurt me that much because i felt like i lost my father a long time ago when it started and if it continued if will have kill my mother of suffering. She was energyless and i live about 2 hrs drive away. But now i cry everyday at night when i remeber the strange things he used to do, i wish i could have done more. But i was in a very difficult position. I had to choose between my wife and 2 kids and my father and i chose the first sometimes i dont know if i did correct. Pardon my english.I from Puerto Rico. I hope good luck and strenght to you all

Let me tell you a little bite about caring for someone with dementia.Iam the last child of 4 children.All have passed away,mom is 95yrs old.I've been caring for her 7yrs now.Working 10 hour days and caring for her.At first it was fine,she was easy to care for,when I was at work I had someone to check on her make sure she was safe and had something to eat.She able to be alone,knew how to use a phone,wash dishes,fold clothes ect..Over the years things do change.Mom would fall,unable to use a phone,ect..I hired people to stay with her while at work.That is a problem in it's self,she would fall having to call 911 at the hosiptal at 8-10 hrs then having to go to work.Thank God no broken bones,and told it's just part of the dementia.Having to look at what I could do to made the house safer for her.I did.Having Dr.s appt.'s,infections,med's,feeding,taking her out in the community,dressing bathing her,being with her through all this does take it's toll on the caregivers health.I have lost my job of 15yrs,working part time now which doesn't pay the bills.It is hard to see her go from being independant to being dependent on others.She is on hospice now.Thank God for them has been very helpiful to me.I love my mom dearly,and wouldn't do anything different.I just want children of people to think about the choices they should make before they care for a parent with dementia.Watching your,knowing what they use to be to what they become,is the hardist thing to watch and go through.There is support out there,but it does cost.You do need poeple,family,friends,ask for help.Not just for your parent for yourself..Goog Luck...Donna..

My Mom is 95yrs old has dementica,she is on hospice now.Before is she would get up at night to use the bathroom.She would fall,so I bought a device that stores use to let them know someone came in the store when working in the back.Movement would set it off and ring in my room with out her knowing,waking me up.This was a great device to have.I was able to get better rest,didn't scare her,and was a safe way knowing she was up.It was a life saver for me,less falls for her.No mre light sleeping, the nights she was up and down all night,my stress level went down.

Hello,
My name is Casey I am 26 years old and my mom is 68 she has had alzhemiers for about 6 years now. My dad passed away a year ago and it was a month beforee their 47 wedding anniversary. We recently had to move mom into an assisted living facility and I am very concerned that she is just going to give up. I call to talk to her on a daily basis and she never remembers that we talk, and evn gets mad at me. Her neighbor over over 20 years went to visit her and she didn't know who she was. It seems like things are getting worse for my mom. She crys all the time and has no interest in things that use to make her happy. I am trying to hard to the a good daughter but it is so hard to be around her now that I just want to break down and cry, I just want to be there for her all the time if I could afford to believe me I would. I just wish I knew some way to lift her spirits. Thanks for reading everyone.

SUKY1: I am so sorry for the loss of your aunt. It is SO unfortunate that you were not aware of end stages of Alzheimer's, but it is a good thing that you will pass along your experiences so others will be prepared. Please don't be surprised though, if others are unreceptive to this knowledge. Some do not want to face the reality, some cannot accept the reality and others just don't believe that is what will happen.

I watched my mother refuse food also, and even though I sat with her for hours on end just to get her to eat a single spoon of food, I was still willing to do this. Other family members were not.

There are articles that you can pass along to others about the 'stages of Alzheimer's' written by doctors and compiled for just this reason: to EDUCATE family and friends.

alzheimers is a deadly disease to me..next to cancer, it can be a control its a disease thats attacks the brain and moves all through your body some people can catch it and don't even no it or don't want to deal with it..in my father case i was pretty lucky i took a class for this disease along time ago and i got to put my experience in hand i caught on to his alz at first jump out of the gate it starts out with dementia and it progresses and if you do not get on the right medicine it will progress faster. now the medicine does not take it away but it will slow the process down...i do not like it it takes over the miind i have taken care of men as young as 58 yrs old and some men get it faster then women normally the drinking stage puts them in gear for it i look at my brother and i hope he do not get it but you just don't know but once its controlled you can live for a long time i don't know if you remember back in the day it use to be called OLD TIMERS DISEASE but now it attacks any age as low as 45 ...my dad lived 7 yrs..... everyone has dementia,

My aunt has just recently died from dementia, we were not aware through all her illness that eventually she would die from not eating or drinking as her brain would switch off. this was very terrible to watch and as her family we should have been more imformed throughout her illness.I will now fight for better awareness of this terrible illness that effects everybody involved.we had to watch my aunt for 3weeks refusing food and water until she passed peacefully on 21/12/2010 we are left with feelings of guilt for not been able to help her to eat and drink with her refusing we also knew this was her totall choice she had had enough as she pulled all drips etc out.My aunt was 87yrs old and had suffered for 7 yrs but the end stages of this illness just came upon us with no warning,all i can now do is try to raise as much awareness of this disease as i can this is a terminal illness not just a disease of the mind. rip to my beautiful wonderful auntie x

I really wish this website had a CHAT ROOM! I know how important it is to have someone to talk to, and believe I understand how you are feeling. Whether it is your "children" or siblings that are not helping, the problem is still the same.

I would talk to your pastor about some 'relief help' I would also look into AID AND ATTENDANCE benefits from the Veterans Administration so YOU can relax too.

Get some help from your church to have your 'crafts' moved downstairs! It will make you feel MUCH better. And I found that my mother would 'try' to get involved' just by me doing my artwork! I have some very precious photos that show her 'enjoying herself' with art she felt she created!

Ask a trusted neighbor to help you move stuff in your house, so your hubby is safe, and you are happy.

And as far as your 'kids'........ I really don't know what to say, except for you to just do the best you can, and be strong. THEY will have to deal with the guilt they will feel in the future! SHAME ON THEM!!

Our kids only come around when they need something or at Christmas. But as of Monday the Bank here is closed. I will not ask them to help. I will not leave him with anyone that I have to ask to stay. We are doing ok. We go to church and to grocery and home. Out about 2 times a week. I'm getting used to it.
I sure would love to go upstairs to my work room. I have so much started there, quilts, stain glass, sewing and other fun projects that I can't easily move down stairs and he won't go up stairs. So.....I wait until he is asleep and I stay up until 3 or 4. Quiet is so nice. I wish I had the strength that you seem to have as far as children. But this too will pass.
Have a great one and thanks so much for talking to me. Most people would think I was complaining but I need to talk to someone. I miss adult conversation. Most of his buddys must think this is a disease they can catch. No one ever comes around that he worked with for 30 plus years.

Well, I sent my ex's daugther's a letter along with his medical report. In the letter I told them that they didn't have a clue about what was going on with their Father. I told them that they need to step up to the plate and help.But if you don't you can just stay away,; I need photoes so he won't forget what tou look like,because he will forget.

I have 5 kids and all they have to hear is that I may be sick and they come running. And they live 45 min. away.Where as his only live 10min's. away. It is hard because he has an A-FIB HEART.also.

Yes I love our two but if I had it to do over again I would chose not to have any. They are good kids work hard and go to church but they just don't know what is really important. I would never have done my Mom and Dad like this, they meant the world to me. Greatest parents in the whole world. I tried to raise ours like I was raised but somewhere I feel like I failed. So maybe it my fault but its to late now, so I carry on by myself.
thank you so much for letting me talk to you, I guess adult conversation is one of the things I miss so much

54J: sad to hear that they don't want to help... but it makes me glad I don't have kids!! At least I'll know why I'm all alone, should something happen to me!

Thanks for your comment. But I refuse to ask someone even grown children to help us. They should want to and the fact they never volunteer shows me they do not want to. I would not feel right leaven my husband of 45 years with someone who really doesn't want to be with him. One son just says the cats in the cradle. He's refering to the song of long ago. The differnce was his dad was out working 2 jobs and going to college to provide for all of us. Its ok, took him with me shopping last night and the only thing he enjoyed was Golden Corral. Went in Victoria Secret to pick up something for our granddaughter and he said well I don't think I need to be in here!!
sometime you laugh sometime you cry but God is still in control.
Hes always with me!!

Sammie: call (either of the girls) and tell that you will be there on...Day... or .....hrs/minutes WITH their father, so be prepared. Then drive him to THEIR location (with an overnite bag) and let them visit. Perhaps this seems extreme, but they need to CONTRIBUTE!! (Shame on them).

54J: i would recommend you do the same thing. "children?" at 35 and 45? seriously? If you don't want to ask them... I will!! What would happen to him if YOU got sick? Would you call then?

I was 'grownup' at 16 when my father died. There wasn't much I had to do for my wonderful mother,she tried to do it all too, and she didn't have to ask me to help, I was happy too. Three other siblings did as they pleased, but I tried to help her as much as I could. AND I don't regret any of it!

Get these CHILDREN involved... if they aren't afraid to ask for stuff/favors, you shouldn't be either! Perhaps that will help them grown up!

God bless.

so sorry to say. you do have your work cut out for you'. i tried a reword to get my gramma to do some things like you wold a small child, but i wold caution you about dehydration if she is also not wetting much, chances are that she may not be getting enough liquid's. this can sometimes not be avoided in later stages. because of their inability to swallow. at that stage a feeding tub can be used for that. as well as nutrient, but the out come is the same thay will eventually leave us. all we can do is be there for them and make them comfortable, and show them they are loved and not alone. be strong ... and keep your sense of hummer. learn to laugh about the Manny things that will come your way. God bless you both on your gurney yet to come . PS..remember you are not in control of what is happening so try not to knock your self out . sincerely still full time care giver of my precious grama... my mama Esther

our "Children" are 37 and45 I think they just stay away because they can't face it. My sister and I took care of our 97 year old mom at home. We have always been there for our kids even as far as giving them a house tax and insurance free but I will not ask them to do anything. If I have to ask I wont do it. They need to want to help.