Dementia Support Group

I have found answers and sharing here and I think you will too, welcome.

Welcome to a group of very caring people. We are all struggling along and sharing ideas and venting when needed. Look through past posts, search for topics and you will hopefully find that you are definately not alone.

I think the initial onset is a very hard time for everyone involved. Finding resources, finding doctors, meds, help, figuring out schedules and not losing youself in it all is overwhelming.

A very good resource I found was the Alzheimers Association. They will provide a lot of guidance on resources and support for all types of dementia. The have a 800 number.

Take deep breaths often and ask away, vent, offer helpful hints....it's all good here and there are some amazing people here that I'm so thankful to have gotten to know.

Hang in there honey, you're not alone.

Thanks for your warm welcome Deborah48 and Pounder. Sorry if I sounded a little outrageous, but my emotions have been pent up for so long that I just had to vent. I assure you that I am a sensible person, but it's just been so hard. Six months ago I didn't know what dementia was. I had heard the word, but I never knew what it meant. Then overnight I was faced with something that I didn't understand and didn't know how to deal with. You hear a lot about Alzheimer's but dementia is seldom mentioned. There needs to be more public awareness about this condition so that people who have to deal with it in the future will have more knowledge about what is happening and what should be done.

Daphne

Daphne- Don't feel bad about being overwhelmed or angry or sad about this illness. You are going to feel all of these at some point. When you come here or go to a face to face group in your area (which I recommend you do) you are with people who know EXACTLY how you feel. You will find that the average person is pretty ignorant about what you are going through. Sharing with people who have the same feelings helps to lighten the load.

I think I understand exactly what your feeling. I think there is such a stigma and ignorance about these diseases. I have met people who talk about a parent with cancer and there are numerous resources, plans, ways to attack, dignified approaches. You come in a room and mention dementia and the room still to this day gets very quiet. How to treat it, how to support it, how to support those who are caring for others with it are still so unorganized, so hard to find, so different for everyone partly because the disease can be so extremely different for each individual.

Alzheimers has been on a such an increase and getting more attention and my hopes are that help and knowledge will bring forth some better programs and treatments.

When dementia is talked about it is often mentioned in the same breath with Alzheimer's, but they are two different things. My grandmother -- my mother's mother -- had Alzheimer's and I know what that's like too. Alzheimer's is getting more attention these days, of course, but will that necessarily translate into better programs and treatments for dementia?

Since Alzheimer's is defined as one form of Dementia, I'm hoping it will provide research and programs that will be helpful for all forms.

I have read just about everything I can get my hands on regarding these diseases and I was amazed at what little I knew and how hard it was to find information at the start.

I actually had one doctor cry when he told me my Father had Parkinson's Dementia (now they have diagnosed him with Lewy Bodies), but another doctor feels he has mixed dementia with PD, Lewy Body, TIA's and Alzheimers mixed together. We've been to so many specialists and I guess I'm resigned to helping him the best I can with all the tools and knowledge I can find.

I think many of these are different in the chemistry and physical make up of the disease, but react similarly to some drugs and treatments.

None of these forms of dementia are good. I don't think a cure is around the corner sadly and I wish we had more focus on how to help fammilies support their loved ones through this. I wish so badly I could provide my Dad a peaceful, caring support system.

Ah, but that's another topic.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

My Dad died in 1990 and all the doctors said Alzheimers but we had test run after he died and it was not. Dementia comes in so many forms but basically they end the same. From hend my dad they normally put the label Alzheimers when they have no other reason for the dementia. Now I am dealing with my 88 year old mother who last August past the test with more than flying colors according to her doctor. Now it seems to be a down hill battle, weeks good and then some really bad ones, seems to go in and out. We have been abnle to deal with most of the things but the hallunciations at night are whe is really bad. I come here to see if I am CRAZY or not. It really keeps me on the right path.

Sorry for the TYOPS....

Nights were the worst for my husband. He didn't recognize me as his wife & would search the house over and over looking for me. I had to finally switch doctors and got him on Seroquel. What a blessed relief. A double dose puts him to sleep and we both get some needed rest.