Sandy's Story Part 2

Sandy: I watched my mom disappear, even though she lived. One day we were sitting, chatting, and she asked me, "when did we first meet?"

I said, "Mom, I'm your daughter, we met in the hospital." She replied, "I know you're my daughter, but when did we first meet?"  She was constantly afraid people were looking in the windows, hiding in the house, etc. I used to argue with her that it wasn't so, but she only got upset with me. Thanks to many books, I learned not to try to set her straight, but to change the subject.

Stress - How Many Symptoms Have I Experienced Today

• Denial - I know Mom is going to get better.
• Anger - If he asks me that one more time I'll scream!
• Social withdrawal - I don't care about getting with the neighbors anymore.
• Anxiety - What happens when he needs more care than I can give?
• Depression - I don't care anymore.
• Exhaustion - I'm too tire for this.
• Sleeplessness - What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?
• Irritability - Leave me alone!
• Lack of concentration - I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment.
• Heath problems - I can't remember the last time I felt good.

Contact your medical professional and the Alzheimers Association for information and support.

resource: http://www.alz.org/

Ten Ways To Be A Healthier Caregiver

Taking care of an Alzheimer's recipient can be physically, mentally, and financially draining to the caregiver. Often the caregiver rationalizes that there is no time for their own personal care.  This can lead to failing health, which will also effect the care they are giving.

Below are 10 suggestions for Caregivers to help them care for themselves while caring for their Alzheimer's recipient.

Ali's Story

Ali: My Grandma has Alzheimer's. My Grandpa took care of her for the longest time. It really gets hard. She finally had to go to a home when she ran away, while he was in the shower.

Sandy's Story

Sandy: My two sisters and I used to sit and talk about mom and her care. We would always look at one another and sadly comment, "There will never come a day when we can look back on this and laugh." Nothing about losing a parent to Alzheimer's is funny, not even years down the road.

Today, ten years after mom passed away, we still have no jokes about Alzheimers and scold those who might make them. Only someone who has never dealt with dementia would find anything funny in it.


Even so, there are times when we giggle over some things that happened. Toward the last months of mom's life, my sister's husband was carrying her to bed, for she was too weak to walk and the