My brother has had Alzheimer diagnosis since 2000(accidentally tested for) and his memory problems hardly noticeable because he is very active. Also because he is on medications for his Parkinson's and Schizophrenia; I believe Benztropineand Lithium carbonate(300 mg or less) are key to slowing his Alzheimer's. Low fat diet and no stress are also key. If your Alzheimer's patient has hallucinations he may also benefit from low dose of Haldol; give Benztropine with Haldol and give lithium carbonate in a.m. with them. Maintain well balanced diet, low fat & not too much meat, low on diary and starches to prevent diabetes/heart disease. I plan to start him on B-complex vitamins(no vitamin C added) to help slow brain damage from Alzheimer's as well. Research new treatments on the Net, keep them informed too so they can help alert u to their problems.

I have been caring for my mother who has Alzhiemer's , I found out that she was diagnosed 5 years ago. Once she was diagnosed I have helped with her care. In the past year she has really become more child like. My father cares for her part of the week and I take her for part of the week. I looked up on the internet for an understanding of where she is in this process. I would say she is in stage 6/7. She needs much coaxing with eating and much help with all daily needs. I am thankful however that she is still able to use the restroom, and that she eats, even if it a project to get her to do so. I worked in a nursing home as a young woman, it definately is helpful in helping me to care for my Mother today. I would not wish this disease on my enemy or on their family- it is so hard to deal with once your loved one is no longer themselves. My mother has been gone for years- I continue to care for the shell that housed her and it is becoming more taxing with each week that passes. I sigh when people tell me how lucky I am to still have her here- wish they could see when she has her meltdowns. They do not realize how hard it is - it is in those times that I really have to dig deep within to see how precious it is to care for her. Most of the time I do well, but there are times I really just wish it was over. My dad is a young 68 , my mother 66 and this is sooooo hard on him. All I can say but for the grace of God , this is too unbearable! With Him I can do all things!!!

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers in late 2009. She was only 58 when she was diagnosed. She has been on namenda and aricept to treat symptoms and slow progression. It has worked, but my sister and I have noticed a drastic decline the past three weeks. She has needed help with using washer/dryer, seasonal dress, and some incontinence. It is so upsetting to watch. My mother is the sweetest woman, although her personality has changed to a more passive timid person. I'm 33 and I'm so angry and sad. I feel like I have been "robbed" from having my mother around. She was barely "there" for my wedding and i cringe that she may never know my children (when we have them). I am,however, so thankful to have a work schedule that allows me to be with her everyday. I know I have to cherish these days, as it will get worst.
The purpose of my post was to inform everyone else going through this that we recently were given the opportunity to have her participate in a clinical drug study. It is in phase three. Phase two has shown a 90% halt in the progression of the disease. I found this study through the alzheimers association, and I pray to God daily for a miracle. I need my mommy here a while longer. I don't think my dad will be okay without her, as they have been married almost 45 years, and we are still coping with the loss of my brother.
This is a horrible disease and my heart goes out to every family dealing with it. God Bless you all.

My father was finally diagnosed with dementia in 1997. The PCP were not willing help my mother at all. She finally went to a neurologist who diagnosed it. Aricept was available but my mother blames everything on side effects since it became law to provide the list of side effects with medications. My dad did not take Aricept long before she felt he was having them. He passed in 2003,was placed in a nursing home in 2001. My mother was diagnosed with Alz in 2010. She refused to take any medication because of side effects and denial. In April of 2013 we placed her in memory care, she is mentally incapacitated. We have her on Namenda, it seems to have slowed the progress and stabilized it. My mom is the 4 sibling out of 8 who have developed Alz. All those who developed it have lived into their 80's, the other 4 passed from other diseases in their 60's or 70's. Mom is 84 now, she is very mobile, can feed herself, dress herself, bath herself, but she does not know what day it is, what month, who I am regularly. It is a horrible disease. Mom is a fighter, combative and difficult, I think she may live longer than my dad did who was passive and just went with the flow. God Bless of all you as you journey through this!!

I have been taking care of my dad for the past year and a half. It hasn't been easy but I love taking care of my dad. I see him so differently these days because of the disease. I hope when I get old and if I get Alzheimer's my son will be there for me. What hurt's so much is the negativity I get from my family members, they want to see him in a nursing home. My dad is far from being put in a nursing home and is no bother to me. He isn't incontinent, he dresses himself and feeds himself, He is not combative and loves the fact that he is still at home being cared for. My only and biggest problem is the family. This has torn us apart and that is so hard to comprehend why I am going thru this when I just love caring for my dad. I am so grateful for the time I have with dad and all the problems I am having with my family, I am hoping maybe one day and one day soon they will understand how dad is so grateful he is not in a nursing home.

My mother started getting the signs of Alzheimer's in 2003...I know the signs as her mother passed away from Alzheimer's and I helped take care of my grandmother who died after 7 years in 1986. Of course I'm very motivated to research the disease, as I also had an uncle die of the disease in 1996 on my mother's father side of the family. I and my siblings are living together taking care of our mother at home. My brother and I share most of the heavy lifting..we both are in our fifties..but in good health. My mother can still stand up and with assistance stand, take a few steps and sit down assisted. She can still drink and hold her own cup, eat finger foods on her own..needs assistance with dressing and personal care. She likes to sing and enjoys music, she sometimes has trouble saying the right words and other days carries on a conversation. Yesterday she counted from 1 to 20 and remembered friends names, her past career when she was in her twenties as a flight attendant and talked about her deceased brother....that was a good day. Yesterday she knew I was Joan her daughter and today she called me Mom...so is the progression of Alzheimer's good and bad days. My mother has now had Alzheimer's for 10 years. Just now she blurted out how much she loves us...and is talking now about her mother and my father who passed away in 2005....that is good memory. I decided after watching my grandmother die from Alzheimer's...that the gloves are off in fighting Alzheimer's...this is going to be a knock down drag out fight against the memory thief. So, I was always good with research and for the last few years I have gone after the disease to find how to slow down the progression and help the brain function on a daily basis without the assistance of prescription drugs. I don't care what doctors say I know from experience what helps...and to those interested here is a list of supplements I've researched that combined create a potent brain defense and immune function protection. Here is the list: high quality vitamin/mineral supplements, Vitamin D 2000 units, E 800 units, (don't use high dose if on blood thinners), zinc 100 mg, antioxidants...Resveratrol 200 mg, Alpha Lopoic Acid 300 mg, French Pine Bark 100 mg, astaxanthin 200 mg, tumeric, Phosphatidlyserine, Glutathione, DHA, Taurine 200 mg. In addition she receives fresh cut Aloe Vera leaf gel from plants I grow myself...1 Tablespoon of gel daily...a potent inflammation fighter, allows the blood to flow better, pumps up the immune system increasing good white cell fighters, also add coconut oil or olive oil daily...no other fats. Her diet was changed to Vegetarian-too many toxins in meat..a high meat protein diet increases the risk of contracting Alzheimer's 3 times that of a Vegetarian diet. Also cow milk was changed to coconut, soy, or almond milk to reduce toxin residues from drugs dairy cattle ingest. She did show improvement in energy levels after changing to a Vegetarian diet and seems more alert. In addition she eats high antioxidant rich foods like berries, avocados, oatmeal, carrots, eggs, small amounts of cheese, nuts, variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, quinoa, brown rice, vegetarian ice cream for treats...very little processed foods to avoid dyes, artificial flavors, and other additives and chemicals. Her only prescription drug is for a low thyroid condition, otherwise she still has good health and is very strong for 78 years old. So, there it is my ideas and research to level the playing field to slow the progression of Alzheimer's and increase longevity through healthy eating habits and nutritional supplements....I'm further researching another supplement,,but don't want to add unless I see results in the next couple months. I do not have a medical background..but I give these supplements a one month to three month window to see positive effects...if none I remove. I've had years to try these out and if you combine with a healthy diet...you should see positive results...do consult your doctor to check for any drug interactions with current prescriptions...I give all supplements 2 hours after her morning prescription pill....good luck in the fight against Alzheimer's........

As with most of you, even though my mother is "alive" - we lost her many years ago to Alzheimer's. I sometimes fear she will outlive my father and brother, who are her primary care-givers, and upon whom the disease has taken an immeasurable toll. Aside from them, we have in-home care weekdays, and Mom's six other children have each chosen one day a week to "visit" - --we try to help out, but she (being as needy as a toddler) only has eyes for my brother, or my dad. We speculate over how long this final stage will last, and cringe when we read it could be several more YEARS. That's not to sound selfish, but we see no quality of life for her, know she went thru this with her own mother and grandmother - and therefore would not wish this on anyone - and also are pained by what this does to my dad -- whose head tells him she won't recover, but whose heart still pines for a miracle. And we suffer for my brother who moved in with "da parents".........what a saint that guy is!

hi all...it's quite a journey isn't it? The person with Alzheimers has so much courage to face such a brutal disease. My husband is sixty-nine and in the last stage of Alzheimers with more aggression. I find rubbing his back when he's agitated helps but he sometimes tries to strike out at me. I have to tie his bedroom door closed at night or he wanders and I may not hear him. Routine is good and helpful as is quiet. He likes having one of our cats on his lap to help relax him . I've already pretty much grieved that he is gone but hard for our eighteen year old son. I take one day at a time and perhaps sad to say, but I have to find some humor in all of this, not in a mean way but more in a sanity way. Trying to stay positive is key. I take care of my ninety-five year old mom, twenty two horses have a full time day job and a stable and fortunately have a fairly good support system. I think it's time now to look into some antiagression medications. I've heard that prasozin (used for blood pressure) can help and some anti-seizure medicines. Has anyone had any experience with anti-agression medications? Thank you for reading. Sometimes I feel quite alone but we all have to stay positive right?

I started taking care of my husband's step-father about one year ago. He is somewhere in stage 6. When we first moved here he was very paraniod and we had to watch him because if he got upset at all he would leave and walk. Now he has a hard time with any little task. He is incontinent, he can't dress himself, he can't express himself, can't reason, can't understand anything going on around him. He is on anti-anxiety meds for his paranoia and also anti-psychotic medication because of his angry outbursts and fits. Somedays it is like caring for a two year old, except that he's six foot three so if he feels inclined he can whip my butt. It is hard to watch his deterioration; he is such a nice man. Sometimes he still gets his humor to shine through. The other day I told him I was going to take a shower and to stay sitting next to Grandma. He asked if he could come help. I was shocked. I could tell that he was entirely joking; but today he couldn't remember who I was. He just knew that I was some stranger trying to get him to take pills. Some days are hard, but we have to remember them as they were. It is hard for me because I didn't know him before I started caring for him, but some days I can see the man he was shine through.

My grandmother was diagnosed about 6 years ago with Alzheimer's. We have always been extremely close to one another and it has been extremely hard to watch her decline. She is the last stage, she has been bed ridden for about 6 months now. She sleeps the majority of the time and when she eats it is very little. Mainly yogurt, shakes, soups. She has just started to draw her head way back and the Hospice nurse said that she is probably getting ready for the fetal position. We were told not the give her anything to eat or drink when her head is like that, which makes sense. But some of the family members have complained they do not want to watch her starve.. I dont either but if she aspirates I know that will cause her more pain than being hungry and at this point I dont think her mind even comprehends being hungry. She has been getting strangled alot the last few days and she tries to cough but you can tell she just does not have the strength to. I know that God knows what he is doing and he will take her on when he sees fit. I just wish that she didnt have to suffer so long and I wish I knew how long this can go on. She is so tiny now and cannot even roll over in bed. We have to move her every 2 - 3 hours. She has a bath everyday and with every day she gets skinnier and more fragile. I have found a lot of strength in God these days. I have learned to lean on him for understanding, strength and peace. He flooded me with a peace the other day and I have had it ever since. We may not understand God's plan but he knows what he is doing. Through this I have realized that I depend on God a whole lot more and I have more strength than I though I did. It has humbled me. And its even made me realize what I wanted to do in life. I want to help people going through these same times. May God bless you all and give you all a peace that passeth all understanding.

i have just been dianosed with alzhiemers and i feel like crying, but i know ihaved to take one day at a time. my mother had it she lived about seven yrs. i,m a little forgetfull but not real bad yet.

Hi nursetobee! Hopefully we can learn from you, the things we haven't already. This site will teach you a lot by reading other people's stories. You are so right, it not only steals their lives, but the familie's as well. It's a grieving process, every day we greive when a part of them is lost to this disease. You're sweet, and God Bless you too.

God Bless all of you. I am a Nurse Assistant who just got my first patient with Alzheimers....I was looking for information to help me deal with him. I told his wife last night, it's sad because it no only steals their lives, but the families lives too. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you..God Bless and Stay Strong=)

Anne,
I too, took care of my mom. She was diagnose 12 years ago. The last 5 have been continual care 24/7. My sister and her children could not even come by because they wanted to remember her happy and healthy. I lost her 2 weeks ago. I kept her home with me, my husband, and my mentally challenged daughter. I would not change a single minute even tho it was soooo hard to see her that way. The last few days were awful but I feel no guilt now because she was with me till the end. I did learn that I had to take care of myself. I ended up in the hospital in Jan with no immune system and kidney failure from stress and not taking care of myself. You have to take care of you first or ya can't take care of them. Remember that you all!!! keep smilin......Phyllis

There are so many options, kcat. Seek legal counsel, and follow these threads. The more you read, the more answers you'll have to make good decisions.

My Dad is doing better within the last 3-4 weeks. It's amazing. Social, eating, happier, and getting up. He has been having seizure episodes, though. That's frightening. Today's seemed less severe and his recovery more rapid. Hate seeing the frozen stare, though. Very scary and not pleasant to deal with. I do not like the thief, Alzheimer's.

How are you doing, Faye?

My Dad has been caring for my step-mom for 5 years now and she is in the last stages of AD. She can do nothing for herself and he is used up. He is 68 with high blood pressure and diabetes but very outgoing and independent. The dilemma is money. He has a nest egg and is afraid he will not have enough to live on if he puts her in a home and has to spend it all on nursing home care. There are no options I can find for him to be able to keep his nest egg. Any suggestions?

My Mother has been in a home with alzheimers for 8 years. She is at the stage where she knows nothing or noone. It's so hard to go there and see my sweet mother who took care of our family for so many years. I have to force myself to go ther, I have little support from family members, only my sister who lives far away , she tries to come twice a year. I pray everyday for it to be over, I don't know how much longer i can take it.

It has been a little over a year since I became involved full-time in my parent's lives. Our relationship was always peripheral before that, from the time I was a teen or maybe before. I wanted more, but one was too busy, and the other too mean. Now Dad's changing and fading. We went through the anger stage, and a confused stage, and now it's a tangled stage. Everything he says comes out different than what it should. He's not eating most of the food offered, and won't get out of bed much. Only 8 months ago he was still driving. But he got lost, and wandered, too. The decline has been incredibly rapid. I'm preparing myself for the end already, but have no idea what to expect from one day to the next. I can't imagine going on like this for long. He refuses to shower or brush his teeth or eat. He can't button or zip or dress anymore. Wow. It makes me wonder if the progression will continue at such a fast pace. It's sad, but what does he have to look forward to? He doesn't seem upset, and he's not angry anymore. Whew! (That was awful!) For awhile he seemed incredibly sad. Now, he just wants to stay in bed, and not get up, and not do anything. Not depressed, I don't believe, but just unable. Too much effort or too much stimulation for him to do anything. Weird. I couldn't imagine being so immobile. I think I'm already preparing for the inevitable. I'm not sad or grieving right now, like I have been. In fact, I can't understand why not. But why sit around all sad? Everyone dies of something. I can't change this. And we do try to enjoy what we can with him. It's limited. I rejoice that I get to spend time with him whenever I want. He can't get away from me. He's stuck. And I don't have to share, cuz no one else is around. So I've been blessed. But, I do have life outside of Dad. And a young son to raise and a husband to love. Both are involved in Dad's life, so we all have each other today. Truthfully, I hope I don't have to watch a slow, agonizing, painful decline. Withering away, unable to respond. That would be hard to participate in for long. Fortunately, friends and family stay updated daily through a Care Pages website I created back in October when Dad was hospitalized. They consistently view his web pages and have been and incredible encouragement to me. I have been blessed. It will probably hurt like crazy when Dad does go, but sometimes I think, that would be better than living without purpose. Am I rambling or what?

If I had a choice, I'd have the Dad back who loved to participate in all sorts of activities, and could talk to me normally again. But that is not to be. Perhaps I'm just learning to accept what can't be changed. And to hope it won't get worse. But there's no way to guess how long the process will take. Best to just take things one day at a time. Just for today, I want to be a blessing. Not a hero, just a blessing. A smile. A touch. Love. And be grateful for today.

I went to the h/rehab to see mother fri before valentines day and took her a heart of candy,she cried and said you remembered me. Of course I started crying again(crying now).Mom said I want to go home with you and I had to tell her again mama I can't do that. She smiled at me and said I know. My best friend told me that my sisters are not happy with their lives so they do not want anyone else to be happy. I believe they are just cruel hateful people. One day they will be old and are afraid this will happen to them. I believe mom is going into another stage of dementia and when I visit again she my not remember me at all. She can remember to ask for a cold coke when I visit next. I bring one no matter what. Even with out mom in my home anymore this still hurts and takes its toll on my health. Just like you AnnieK. I would not trade these years for anything . I have memories no one else will have. Bennie

AD certainly is a disease that affects not just the patient, but the whole family. And each individual within the family structure will deal with the disease differently. Some will not "want to be bothered" and others will give and give until they are "used up." I have been caring for my father in home since his onset about seven (7) years ago. He is now on hospice care and at n-stage of the disease. I would not trade these past few years for anything. It has been hard, yes certainly

my dad was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 56.He was always a bit forgetful as we were groing up and over the years this progresed slowley.At the age of 54 he started to get worse at this stage we got medical help.He was addmited to the local dementia ward .My father is now 62 and his dementia has progresed at a rapid speed.He is in the last stage of alzheimers and in full time care.I know how hard this is to deal with and would advise you and your family to seek all the help you can.There is only so much that you can offer at home but a lot more is needed.Alzheimers is a very long and suffering illness that effects the whole family .

Mother is to the point of forgetting names and such. She was put in a health and rehab home due to foot swelling. She ask me the other day "where am I and why am I here. I try to tell her the truth knowing she will not remember,but I'll say mom you won't remember what I tell you but in the here and now maybe you will and that is ok for now. I did not agree to this place but two of my sisters do not want to deal with her anymore and I have no say so. For the last 4 years I have cared for her everyday while everyone else worked. I was voted into this because I had the least bills and my child is grown and on his own. You know the old saying... you leave the room to go to the restroom and return finding out you have been choosen for who knows what... Well I would not trade the years I have had with mother. I think the other sisters disliked me because mother and I were so close and when she needed something when she was with one of them she asked for me.I miss her so but can hold my head up and know I did my best and my mother somewhere deep down knows I love her. Bennie