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...
It was just 5am as we went for our early morning stroll with me stumbling along and weighing heavily with one hand on my walking stick and the other hand clinging onto my dear wifes arm for further stability, as is now normal my body was slouched over with head down trying to see where I was walking and trying to listen out for any approaching trucks, cars, motorcycles, pushbikes that speed up or roadway as though it were a motorway or even other people walking up behind us that frightens the life out of me and make me lose my balance when they suddenly pass by and make me feel like a Jack in the Box. Well we hadnt gone more than a few hundred yards when we passed one of our close neighbours standing by his field of paddy trying to frighten away the birds to stop them from eating the ears of paddy but as we passed him he gave out an almighty shout and screaming at the top of his voice and banging loudly on a tin drum that absolutely frightened me to death and made me crumble to my knees, he could see what had happened but never said a word about it to Sumi other than (and in a curt way) (Why doesnt Barry say good morning anymore, and why is he impolite and arrogant) so yet again Sumi tries to explain to him about my condition and the fact that I cant coordinate my speech when Im trying to concentrate on walking and that hed just frightened the hell out of me to which he just shrugged his shoulders as if to say (SO WHAT)
Its so aggravating and insensitive of people that after almost 8 years and Sumis endless explanations to all of our close neighbours that they still just cant understand about my illness either that or its a case of they dont want to understand, in fact one neighbour has already said to Sumi why dont you keep Barry locked indoors which just sums up their attitude towards my illnesses out here!
Barry living with mixed dementia in Indonesia
Its so aggravating and insensitive of people that after almost 8 years and Sumis endless explanations to all of our close neighbours that they still just cant understand about my illness either that or its a case of they dont want to understand, in fact one neighbour has already said to Sumi why dont you keep Barry locked indoors which just sums up their attitude towards my illnesses out here!
Barry living with mixed dementia in Indonesia
I remember my parents had a neighbor who had Lewy Bodys Dementia and Parkinsons. In the early stages his wife would leave him home while she worked. He had a scooter chair and would often end up across the street at my parents house to visit. One day he walked over to ask my father to fix his chair...he had taken it apart but couldn't put it back together :)
All of the neighbors knew his condition and would keep an eye out for him. Eventually his wife had to hire an aide to stay with him and the neighbors would try to include both of them in day to day things.
Unfortunately many people are not really aware of medical conditions until it affects their family. They won't take the time to read a little.
On the other side many people are afraid. They are afraid that this will happen to them.
It's worth a try anyway. Although they may be hard-pressed to believe that you suffer from any tye of dementia due to the articulation of your stories; especially suffering from any type of dementia after 8 years. Problems with dual tasking such as walking and talking in later stage alzeimers is very common. Cognitive abilities require attention and concentration. That you have plenty of so I would look to correspond with these folks and explain to them yourself. You could gain or further your understanding of general reactions to alzeimers for a future synopsis.
PD
I always enjoy your Posts here.
It gives me a whole new perspective on dementia and other related illness.
Unfortunately, most people do not understand the struggles and difficulties you are dealing with.
I for one , think you are brave and a most wonderful spokes person for the dementia patient .....we so seldom get to hear what it's like from your side .
Hugs
dd
Barry
Today it was "I am bankrupt", she isn't but I'm sure she dreamt that someone told her that. I pay her bills and make all her meals, but she is terrified most of the time.
Barry