Introductions: Are you caring for someone with dementia?

I was wondering if you know what caused your mother to stop being able to walk. DId she forget how to walk or does brain damage cause a loss of signal to her legs or ??????? Also, was wondering how one knows that dementia is actually caused by AD. Thank you

@lindabf I went through almost exactly what you are observing for about 3 years and finally decided to mention some of my concerns to my husband's doctor. My husband was willing to take the testing when suggested by his doctor. He would never have consented to it if I had surged it. The same with giving up driving. My children and I were concerned about how we could convince him to stop driving although he only drove around locally where he was familiar with roads, etc., but when his doctor said he really shouldn't be driving and visited with him a bit, he hasn't even suggested driving since. He still has his driver's license, but I don't think he will be renewing it as it will require Dr's permit and probably a driving test which he could not pass. We'll deal with that when the time comes nearer his birthday.
One day at a time.

My husband also has difficulty walking, but his is attributed to the silent strokes he has suffered rather than alz.

Hi @rmftucker You bring up an interesting point, which I observed with my wife as well. I could suggest something till I was blue in the face and she would at best bristle and pitch a fight over it, or more often just reject it out of hand. Not so if the word came from her chief doctor. His word was gold to her and if he said A, B, or C, so it was! His word was also what ended my wife's driving. After he said 'no more' she never ever brought it up and I know it was a huge blow to her at the time.

Amazing similarities....

Strength and peace,

@caregiver49

Caused by AD? Do you mean Attention Deficeit Disorder?

@macbeth, I took it that it stands for Alzheimer's Disease.

@nanax2

Thank you. I think I was just confused by the last sentence in caregiver49's comment. Maybe I read it too fast, or maybe I am just tired. It seems as though we're all soooo tired.

Hello, nanax2. Thank you for your prayers. I will also try to remember to pray for you and the others here who need strength and wisdom in the midst of difficult circumstances. A little about my journey with my mom: I am her only child (and she has no husband) so there's no other family support (except 2 sisters who live across the country and visit once a year.) My mom is 74 and started showing (or I started noticing) symptoms of AD about 9 years ago. She has lived with us for 8 years and has taken 2 different Alz. meds for about 6 years. Two years ago she took part in a clinical trial of an experimental med., which seemed to help a little, but as soon as she discontinued it, we noticed some decline. Her short-term memory is increasingly poor and most long-term memories are completely gone (although she surprises us once in a while!) Although she interacts happily with loved-ones, she doesn't remember significant shared experiences. Her physical health is good and she moves about the house without any help. One of her symptoms is OCD, which manifests in her taking bits of paper towels and wiping spots on counters (among several other non-destructive but annoying behaviors) ---which drives some in my family crazy. She has never really exercised, and I have a hard time convincing her to walk outdoors since she doesn't like to walk outside if the temp. is less than 74 degrees, or more than 78 degrees. However, my mom is generally good natured (with an occasional childish outburst: "You're not my mother!" My struggles are classic: some mild depression, impatience, grief, loneliness, and sometimes anger. I have high expectations of myself and tend to compare myself with what a loving, caregiver-daughter "should be." My husband and family struggle too, but they realize I carry the heaviest weight and they try to give me breaks once in awhile. I am most content when pressing into Jesus, my Rock, and when I am grateful for all that I've been given. I know it will be a long journey and I'm praying for the love, the strength, and the joy that I'll need to finish well. Thanks for asking.

P.S. I have been greatly helped by reading the posts on the "Alzheimers Reading Room" : http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/

@kmkm

I can relate to most of your post. My husband, who is 72, has dementia. I started noticing changes in his early mid sixties, but he was not diagnosed until four years ago. I see similar symptoms in him to what you see in your mother, and I feel the same desire to be the best caretaker and best example I can be. Younger people see us, and I feel it is so important to be a good example to them, so that, when they care for a loved one, they may have learned, from us, how to handle their loved one gently and with respect. I think the most difficult part of this journey is that it can be so long, and so draining. I have no help. The kids live in different states and visit only once every year or two. His surviving siblings are unable to help. My siblings are older than either of us, and have health problems of their own. Our friends seem not to notice that we're no longer out and about much. I think that's the other very difficult part of all of this. Yet, I try to keep a positive attitude and feel thankful for the easier, better days.

Wishing you, and all of us, strength for the journey.

Every time my husband goes to any Dr. he has what they call a panic attack. He has them many times when we go to supper. He has had some at other times. He starts by turning very pale, sweats until his shirt is wet and then becomes sick to his stomach. Marcel has Alzheimer's. We live in an extended care facility which is just great. We both enjoy it. He begins to feel better when he gets back to his recliner and goes to sleep. He is getting so that he doesn't want to leave the apartment or his recliner. When he has one he doesn't totally recover. I am so worried about him. I thought that surely there would be something he could have for anxiety but his Dr says no. Has anyone had any experience with this? If so I would appreciate hearing about it. Phyllis