Rick: I am so sorry that you are having to endure this ugly disease. My mom had it, but it came on when she was in her 70's. Thank you for sharing your story with us and especially the part about caregivers. I took care of my mom as long as I could, but the disease eventually won. It was indeed very hard to be a caregiver especially when you have a family to take care of as well. It's hard to see a loved one going through this, as caregivers, the burden is because we love them (it's draining physically, but more so emotionally). Thank you for all you still do (the on-line dementia and memory impairment group), and just for being so open everyone, and being able to tell people about yourself. Maybe someday there will be a cure for this, but until then, God bless you, and feel free to vent here whenever you want. This is such a great place with wonderful people willing to help in any capacity they can.

I just ran into this and wonder.... this cannot but help!!

alzheimersweekly/2014/10/25-ways-to-mend-memory.html

Hello Rick Phelps,

I'm so sorry you are dealing with dementia...
Have you read up on CBD oil? There is a lot of literature out there and many of it claims that CBD really helps brain function! I intend to try it with my parents, but they can´t know because tey refuse EVERYTHING and prefer to impose all of their character flaws on their living offspring...
All the best!

God bless you and my prayer is that you will stabilize and not get worse. Thank you for posting, as I realized recently how tired my mom must be after having his dreadful disease for over 10 years. I am her caregiver and my biggest worry is that she will outlive me. I am almost 72 with the "all over" aches and pains no one can understand unless they are there. I am very tired but I also pray to stay well for my mother and my husband and others who depend on me.

Yikes... Rick... I do that right now... go from one room to another, wondering what I got up to get or do. It's's a little unnerving. I have to speak out loud why I'm going to the other room to remember. I wonder if maybe I'm not getting it. I just lost two checks we were supposed to deposit and needed badly... It's not a Wonderful Life when you pull a blunder like that! I can now understand the seriousness of this disease.. you have made it very clear. Thank you for being the voice behind the disease. I pray you continue as long as you can. What would you say is the most comprehensive list that defines how dementia looks so we can know when we think we have it? If anyone knows.... Thank you!

Rick,
There is a bright side and it is that you are so very capable in expressing what it is like to have this disease, so that it allows caregivers like me to have some insight into what my husband might be thinking and trying to express to me.

I have been taking care of my mom for the last 5 years, watching her get worse everyday. I'm so tired of it all, physically and emotionally. I try to keep a positive attitude about my life as I have a 9yr old son, but some days are harder than others. I'm thankful for all I have but part of me wants this journey to be over already. I pray for stength often but there are days I just want to give up. I love my mother but I pray for her life to end so mine can begin again, but guilt hits me like a rock to the head when I feel this way. I'm blessed with the support of my husband and sister who make this struggle more bearable. My prayers go out to all the caregivers who are struggling with someone with this disease.

Amen My mother has it and it is not easy to see her go throught this. Some days are better then others With and hand on her knee or a hand on her tummy will let me know of something is wrong. But yes it is hard to under stand her. Her words are jumbled and 90% of the time it is hard to understand her. I just tell her I love her and we do the best we can. Take care and God bless