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...
Just a general update on my Grandma.
She has completed Stage 4 according to www.alz.org. I think she will be moving to stage 5 shortly.
Only thing is, she's cranky/angry all the time. She has admitted she's jealous that I have my boyfriend, and she doesn't have my grandfather anymore (He died March 2, 2012). It's like she's two different people. On one hand she tells me how thankful she is to have me around, and how great I am... and then 10 minutes later she's telling me I don't love her anymore and I am selfish. It's tiring.
I am trying to muster the strength to have patience. I know it's not her, it is the disease, but it's taking a toll on my mood. I feel exhausted talking to her. I can't stand Alzheimer's!
Hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day!
She has completed Stage 4 according to www.alz.org. I think she will be moving to stage 5 shortly.
Only thing is, she's cranky/angry all the time. She has admitted she's jealous that I have my boyfriend, and she doesn't have my grandfather anymore (He died March 2, 2012). It's like she's two different people. On one hand she tells me how thankful she is to have me around, and how great I am... and then 10 minutes later she's telling me I don't love her anymore and I am selfish. It's tiring.
I am trying to muster the strength to have patience. I know it's not her, it is the disease, but it's taking a toll on my mood. I feel exhausted talking to her. I can't stand Alzheimer's!
Hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day!
I am a recent widow and I can tell you widowhood knocks a person for a huge loop....no matter what the circumstances. Some of your grandmother's responses are grief and mourning I think. Many widows...many feel very jealous that other get to have their loved person and lives and theirs has been taken....not all express it but it is there....the dementia probably loosens some inhibition in your grandmother so that she just says more...and in addition she perhaps feels secure with you.....
Widowhood is a roller coaster of emotions up and down up and down. Some of her changing moods is related to this change in her life.....
So, I would say that right now your grandmother is expressing a double whammy of the Alzheimer's and new widowhood.....
Wishing you help in this new and difficult twist in the care of your grandmother.......
My hubby was in stage 5/6 when he died a year ago from the complications of a fractured hip. I know they can be very trying and change moods in a heartbeat! I think the hardest thing to do when you are emotionally involved, is to remember that these actions are the result of ALZ...not their normal. Then like Inmemoryof says, she is going through a double whammy. Try to be patient and get as much outside help as you can.
Hugs........Carolyn
She's recently began to wander. And I just found out her doctor wants her to have open heart surgery; to replace a valve in her heart. She keeps saying she doesn't feel she has a heart problem, and blames it in my grandfather's passing,. We are getting a second opinion. I am just overwhelmed. We'll see what happens.
It would be a good idea for her to have a complete physical. There are many medical problems that can cause mental changes and they will reverse when the problem is taken care of . I wouldn't rush into valve surgery until they have looked at every other possible medical concern.
My grandmother is 82. She's not overweight. We've suspected she's had a mild form of either dementia or Alzheimer's since she was 77. Her memory started to decline then, but we just got the diagnosis in January. She turned 82 in March, 4 days after my grandfather died.
According to her doctor, she's had artery narrowing since 2008. Now it's gotten to be severe. They said it could lead to a heart attack. However.. would it really be wise to subject her to a major surgery at 82 with Alzheimer's? I feel terrible saying this and I am sorry if this disturbs anyone, but I would rather if it's her time to go, she go quick, then watching her mind deteriorate, and eventually forget how to breathe. I don't know what to do. My family wants to discuss it, and to get a second opinion. Never thought I'd have to even contemplate such things. It makes me shiver.