Alzheimer's and Other Dementias Questions

1. Are there any studies about adult down syndrome and dementia?

   Although estimates vary internationally, the consensus seems to be that 25 percent or more of individuals with Down syndrome over the age of 35 (this percentage increases with age) show clinical signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The incidence of Alzheimer's disease in the Down syndrome population...
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2. We are checking to see if there is something that can be...

   Your poor father must be totally exhausted. This is a very common problem in dementia and are related to the neurodegenerative process that is occurring in her brain. It is a very difficult situation for the caregiver who often winds up suffering from severe sleep deprivation.
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3. How do I know is my husband's memory loss is Alzheimer's?

   Many people begin to wonder whether forgetting a name or losing their keys is a sign of normal aging, depression or Alzheimer's. You are not alone! There are red flags to help you identify symptoms of early Alzheimers; check out the "10 signs of Alzheimer's Disease" on the Alzheimer Association website {Alzheimer's Association...
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4. Is it inappropriate to have an Alzheimer's caregiver call me while I'm on vacation because my husband wanted to know where I was?

   I can certainly understand how you feel discomforted by this phone call from your husband's professional caregiver. After all, respite is for the person who is doing the primary care and who deperately needs a break to recharge. Respite is the very best means to get away from the constant need to be...
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5. If and Alzheimer's patient can't answer simple questions, are they just having a bad day?

   I don't really like the idea of a full month calendar - I have found that too much info can easily overwhelm the AD person whose brain is already being assaulted. I do recommend a calendar that is a-day-at-a-time and reflects ONLY the month, day, and the actual date. In simple large clear print, it would read "Today is Saturday April 2"...
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6. Does my mom think her husband is her father?

   Your question is a very popular one. People with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or a related disorder have great difficulty storing new information but they recall, with great clarity, days of long ago. Therfore, they relate stories from childhood years as if they just occurred and yet cannot remember whether they have eaten breakfast an hour before...
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7. How safe is it for an Alzheimer's patient to drink Wine?

   When taking any kind of medication it is important to read the label and check to see not only if it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach, but if other medications or drugs, including alcohol, interfere with its action. Given the depressant effect on the brain and nervous system there is...
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8. How do I know when my mother needs full time care?

   As long as your can call you on the phone, she is not dying. She has a long way to go before dying of dementia. People in the late stages do not know who they are or what a telephone is, and they certainly cannot cook.
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9. Is my father considered legally seperated from his wife?

   Many agencies and institutions—particularly government benefit agencies such as the VA—overlook the heart and reality of a couple who are separated and insist that there be a “legal separation”—that is a formal decree from a court that proclaims they are legally separated. It doesn’t matter that theter that the two have not spoken in a long time...
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10. How can I help my mother-in-law find the bathroom in the day time?

    Finding the bathroom when you have memory loss is not uncommon and as with many “interesting” situations that occur with people who have dementia, there is almost never one answer to solve a concern. Here are a few ideas I came up with:
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11. Does Alzheimer's disease progress more slowly is you have a high IQ?

    The correlation between intelligence and the progression of Alzheimer's is an interesting and debatable issue. Often you need to break down the IQ (intelligence) into its specific components to evaluate whether it is true. What is the specific ability of the person? Is it abstract thinking? Insight...
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12. What can I expect after an Alzheimer's patient refuses to eat or drink?

    When a person with Alzheimer's disease refuses to eat or drink and they are in the advanced stage of the disease when they also need all of their personal needs cared for by others, it is a natural stage where the body is getting ready to "transition"...
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13. Is my wife's frequent use of the bathroom at night caused by her Alzheimer's?

    Reading your question, it is true that there are some Alzheimer's patients who will go to the bathroom frequently, especially in the middle stages of the disease. This can happen at night especially, as some patients develop a "day-night" reversal, where they will be more alert at night...
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14. Can you marry someone with Alzheimer's disease?

    Alzheimer’s has such differing effects on individuals, and progresses at such different rates, that there is no specific legal standard either allowing or barring someone with a diagnosis from marrying.
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15. Does my mother have Alzheimer's or just dementia?

    Your instinct is probably quite right. Research does show that geographic moves can have a negative effect on an AD person. Keeping mom in familiar surroundings may be best for her even though being away from her is emotionally draining for you. Be well jkc
    2 Expert Answers, 1 Community Answer

16. Is it alright for someone with Alzheimer's to travel two hours to a wedding?

    Travel in general is stressful for anyone. Traveling with someone with Alzheimer’s may result in confusion. The ever-changing environment for someone traveling with impaired perception, judgment, memory, and even physical limitations caused by dementia may prove challenging.
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17. What are some fresh ideas I can use to keep my mother with Alzheimer's occupied?

    You represent a sense of security to your mom and when you are not around she becomes confused and gets anxious. Caring for someone at home is very demanding and it is frustrating to not be able to get your chores done.
    2 Expert Answers, 2 Community Answers

18. How do we get my mom with dementia to stop trying to walk when she can't?

    Your mom sounds quite typical of most dementia folks in the mid-stage of disease. I'm sure each time you remind her that she can't walk, she immediately forgets what you've told her and tries to walk again. The information about not walking simply didn't get stored and so is not retrieved moments later when she attempts to stand again...
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19. What age group does is affected by Alzheiemr's disease?

    Age is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). At the current time, 1 in 8 over 65 has this disease. The most frightening fact is that as our life expectancy increases so does the risk factor with 50% over 85 impaired by the disea...
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20. Is it wrong to water down the alcohol my dad with Alzheimer's drinks?

    It may surprise you to hear that this is not an unusual question. Accolades to you for seeking ways to keep his alcohol consumption at a minimum. I am in complete accord with you about watering the whiskey and suggest you continue to do so while increasing the amount of water...
    1 Expert Answer, 15 Community Answers