Alzheimer's Disease Support Group
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...
Rollie seems to be continuing his rapid decline. He is now calling me his mom and really has no clue about where he is. His speech is almost completely unintelligible- He starts a sentence off fairly clearly, "I was wondering"...... but his voice fades and he stops mid sentence, the next few words are garbled and then he just throws up his hand and stops. He stares into space constantly. He eats but not much and mostly whatever we put in front of him, never asks for any particular food. Sometimes he tries to put non food items in his mouth, like the wrapper. He also isn't asking for his Pepsi anymore- used to have a liter a day but now will only ask for it if he sees a bottle in the store. He used to have a tantrum if there wasn't any in the house. He is starting to walk out the front door, to look for me, even if I am right next to him! He will go in the toilet if we keep up with him and take him and direct him but if we don't he just pees wherever. Even the toilet is work for us because we have to stand him right in front of it and make sure he is pointed in the right direction. And we have to place the roll of tp in his hand or won't use anything. When we are out in public or a store I find that I constantly have to hold his hand because he cannot seem to follow me visually like he used to, just stands there until I take his hand and guide him. When we are walking together I find that I am really pulling him more than we are walking together- he stays just a little behind me. He has more and more trouble following directions, "lift your foot" and he will lift a hand instead. "No" I say and touch the foot I want him to lift, "lift your foot". I notice that I am having to actually show him 'how' to eat, put the fork in his hand and bring it to the plate, after that he seems to be able to continue - for that meal- until the next meal. Or I put the bread in his hand and mold his fingers around it, "this is what you need to eat". He does ask for food occasionally and always seems to want it when offered, just has difficulty figuring out how to get it to his mouth. He doesn't want to go outside in our yard, wants to go back in as soon as possible. :(
Beckeroo
I was fortunate to get a long week end at our cabin. My aunt has been a caregiver for a few Alz. facility. I ask her to stay with Ken for me. He did okay except for Sunday and he sobbed asking where his wife was and she was never coming back. My sister finally got him calmed calmed down. When I got home last night he was happy to see me but it was short lived.
The trip was very relaxing and I had a wonderful time but it seems with each trip I take it is harder to get back into my mode.
Deb, I can honestly say I understand , It sounds like our day are mirrored.
Beckroo, I admire your faith and strength and I thoght I had it but oh my gosh it is so hard some days.
Great day to all
I find it very hard to be patience with her. She screams and holds her head. She says she has a headache. I believe its confusion.
I wish I had more patience!
It is a hard thing to accept, harder to figure out what to do. And.. it is exhausting for everyone.
I feel so terribly sorry that you have to experience these painful things.
Wishing you comfort and peace.