This May Be the Most Useful Alzheimer's Advice

You seemed to be on my page. I have wondered at what age my 75 year old wife might be manifesting.

When the person you are taking care is your parent, it can be difficult to understand that the cognitive levels are going backward in time. This really helped me to think of some better ways to think about the situation. Thanks.

Because humor is so important for both the carepartner and the person with Alzheimer's, I am sharing this story with you in hopes it will bring a smile. I accompanied an 82yo AD-person to the Emergency Room of our local hospital. MArjorie had fallen in her home & her wrist was curved like an 's' in an obvious fracture & dislocation requiring immediate medical attention. The young intern came over to MArjorie and delicately held her injured arm. "My goodness" said the sweet young man. "How in the world did this happen?" Marjorie gazed at him with great consternation and muttered "How would I know. I wasn't there when it happened!" I smile as I share it with you a decade later. Joanne Koenig Coste author: Learning To Speak Alzheimer's

Thanks for the comments -- I'd be interested to hear if you find out more about the bathing. Also I hope you all note the link for Discussion Groups at the top right to find other carers to talk to, and check the Alzheimer's and Dementia section for other insights into problems and solutions. Something specific that's missed? Let me know--

I am caring for my elderly aunt who has Dementia. She is very forgetful and repeats herself over and over again. I am using this information to plan for the future. I can see it will just get harder and harder to do. Thanks!

Its excellent article to understand AD. Pls give us more insight on AD and Dementia,it will help us as Not for Profit in India - Silver Inning Foundation. Thks. Sailesh Mishra www.silverinnings.com

is ther a chat room for carers

This is well worth the effort. No one can get my mom to take a shower. She says she only need sponge baths. She lives in a wonderful assisted living facility with a special wing for dementia patients. The staff is excellent. My mom always took baths. She does not like getting her face wet. I wonder if she is embarrassed about a 'stranger' helping her do something so personal. However, even I, her daughter, can't get her to shower. It is a hand held nozzle and she has a shower bench, but nothing doing. I might have to figure "Why this is happening" with some further investigation. I learn so much from this site. I wish I could convince my dad to try some of the wonderful advice given here.