What is Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease, is the most common cause of dementia and characterized clinically by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declin...
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My neighbors have both become very sick this summer, both are in their 70's he has Dimentia, and she has Alzheimer's. This spring you would never have known it was coming or that she had it..... His is more noticeable in common conversation.
Early this summer she mistook my house for her home (they are exactly same but opposites in floor plan), she went home in a very embarrassing manner with her husband whom she did not really remember at the time. Lord knows what could happen to this lady if she had or does walk into someone else's house in this neighborhood. She has been letting her dogs out of her yard and leaving them out to roam the neighborhood, trying to put them in my yard and is successful if my gates are not locked. Two weeks ago she was out in the freezing fall air from 10:30 pm until 3:30 am wandering the block and her yard. There is a worker suppose to be looking for appropriate housing/care ( been looking all summer.) My daughter and I have been putting the dogs back in the yard so they are safe and documenting it with animal control. I have called the only agency I am aware of in my state, Adult Protective Services, but they don't call back in any decent amount of time, it can be days or weeks before they return even the phone call. The worker has not returned my call..... I don't believe she is even aware of what behaviors we are witnessing as neighbors, if she cares, or can do anything about any of it any quicker. I don't even know at this point if I trust the worker to be doing her job, or if like all others in theis kind of field, she is over worked, under paid and burned out. Anyways.......... I am here on this site now to learn what I can so I am able to be a supportive and appropriate neighbor to help keep them all safe while they go thru what must be a horrific experience for any one even if they are not always aware of what is happening. If anyone has any suggestions I am open for any direction, education, or experience. I feel so bad and want to keep my nose out of their personal lives yet do not want to be someone who allows for her name to be a statistic in the news because I didn't want to be the bad guy or get involved. I would rather she hate me and think I am rude than allow something bad to happen that I could have prevented. I certainly wouldn't want to be treated as if I were on my own when I had a disease that I couldn't control in any way by my neighbors. Sincerely, Concerned Neighbor / ralop Posted on 11/02/09, 09:11 pm |
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Wow, that's very sad. Do they have kids? Is there a way you could contact their children? I would keep pestering APS, also contact your local ALZ chapter, usually in the front pages of the phone book. The things you are describing indicate they are pretty far in the illness and should not be left alone, they could burn their house down. Is the man a veteran? If so then contact the local VFW or VA because there is help there too. I'm sure others will add other ideas, I hope they get some help soon. How very tragic that both of them have dementia. 
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It is obvious these poor people need an intervention on their behalf.
Would it be possible to ask them if they have an attorney, or get their Dr's name. What about children or other family ? Since this is a safety issue for them as well as others, if all else fails I would probably call DHS or the police. Just get some authority involved as soon as possible. What a blessing to have a nice concerned neighbor.
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Thanks for the suggestions. Another neighbor finally called last night when the lady walked over to their house and attempted to give her own dogs to them. The other neighbor decided to call both city police abd APS just as I had done a few hours earlier and the policeman who responded earlier came out with 2 more and they eventually took both to the hospital. Thank God someone finally listened to the neighbor accross the street because the woman had a hole in her leg which was infected so bad she wouldn't wear pants, ( I wondered why the shorts were on in 30* lows and 50* highs in temperatures outside the past week,) and she had pneumonia, which is why they were able to keep her at the hospital. They have a lady acting as Power of Attorney, but sha has no guardianship which tied her hands tremendeously.
I have been calling Animal control, also the number for county dispatch Sherriff's office since the spring incedent of mistaking my home for her home. Everytime dogs were out we called and then put dogs back into their yard. they know the dogs need placement into a nurturing home, as do both of them. I got a phone call from animal control at 7am which I allowed to go to voice mail. I don't sleep well and wasn't able to speak with anyone yet. The message gave the clear impression they had the idea I was being an ignorant, whinning, neighbor who has nothing to do but make a big deal out of something that's non of my business. The message said they had no idea why I thought I needed to document the dogs being out everytime. It was one of their workers and another
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Good Grief. Don't you just love getting the run around when you are just trying to help? I guess.. call the police again if Animal Control
doesn't respond today. The PD will get the AC moving. Let us know how this all shakes out. You are a good neighbor.
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