I'm happy to share what I have learned, Kariann.

Now something I recently learned is that strokes are related to dementia. (TIAs are small strokes, as I understand it. I could be wrong.) And I'm thinking it was here that I read the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's. (Dementia is when you can't remember and realize you can't remember and Alzheimer's is when you don't remember that you forgot.) Mom used to say she knew she couldn't remember things. Now she doesn't remember anything before a minute ago or the long ago. She's having trouble with simple things like shutting off a light or the ceiling fan in her kitchen. She installed those things years ago.

She is becoming more argumentative. It was a challenging weekend, and of course, it was me who started everything and why am I always yelling at her and telling her what to do? I mentioned these things to the woman, Regena, who did the nursing home intake paperwork with my brother and me on Friday afternoon. She graduated from college and did her thesis on Alzheimer's. She said that Mom does regard me as an authority figure now...boss. So, I gather that is the natural progression of AD.

Mom tried to send me home yesterday. I wasn't sure how to prepare her for the event that will happen this morning. I kind of stumbled into it. "Mom, your options are me or a nursing home."

"Who told you that?" she demanded.

"Nobody. I can see it with my own eyes."

"I can take care of myself."

"I'm going to take care of that, Mom. Monday morning someone is coming to assess you and tell you if you can live alone." So, the door is opened.

Regena said that some families lie to their loved one to get them to the nursing home, then when they get them there under false pretenses, they turn and run out of the facility and don't go back for weeks. I won't lie to my mother.

I am so sorry that I talk so much about this. It's a challenging time. I've cried a river, grieving over the loss of my mother. Dad died four months ago. I've been staying with Mom ever since. Several shouting matches with DH. What did he expect me to do? But now I'm convinced that I will be better able to help Mom if she's in a facility where they look after her and I can go in and visit and look after her under a lot less stress. It will be better all the way around, I believe.

~ Cathy

Thank you, Cathy, for that explanation.  It's exactly right....for me, anyway.  And yes T.I.A.'s are small strokes.  I was just told by my daughter's therapist (our daughter is 9 and she has been diagnosed with Asperger's) that because of my small strokes, I have dementia.  I didn't know that dementia is the result of strokes. 

By the time a person finishes a sentence, I've forgotten the beginning, and I've forgotten what we were talking about.  It takes me a long time to do the most simple task because I forget how, what, and why.  Just typing this simple reply has taken me a long time, and I've had to look up words, and then I have to remember what I was talking about.  But I go on anyway, because I think it challenges my brain.

A friend of mine wanted to know if a person can have both dementia and Altzheimers.  I don't know.

I don't know, either, Dianne. My mom keeps doing things that challenge her mind, too. Dad tried to stop her crocheting until I said, "Leave her alone. She's fighting to keep her brain alive!" It's been eight years since her diagnosis. Considering, I am thankful that she still is saying the same thing, "I am doing everything I can to keep my brain working."  Crocheting. Game Boy. The cryptoquote from the daily newspaper. Conversation. Short term memory is gone. She remembers long term well. We told her yesterday about the nursing home. She was restless and upset about "losing the house." Now I'm restless and upset about moving her to a nursing home.

Dianne,

My mother in law has both Dementia and AD.  Both are very stressful.  She was living with us for over 2 years and when we went on vacation back in the spring we did a respet stay at a Assisted Living Facility and when we came back, the caregivers and all the staff just loved her and she was doing all kinds of activities that we couldn't get her to do at home.  My husband and I made the decision that this was a better place for her and we made the move permanent.  It's the best thing we could do for her and for us.  She gets bathed on a regular basis, where here at home she would "wash" not bath, a big difference.  They get her to do more activities, which is better for both her dementia and AD.  It also takes some of the stress off of us.  Believe me there is still stress just less of it and it makes a big difference.  Hope that is of some help.  Also, there are medications that they use to try to slow down the AD.  My MIL has been on both Namenda and now Aricept.  I don't see any changes with them but they say it takes time.  Wishing everyone well.

Your post has been encouraging to me. Thank you! Mom has been on Namenda since it came out. I saw a difference in a short time. It slowed the progression, at least by my observations.

I have been so worried about Mom since we talked to her yesterday about the nursing home. She has been crocheting a lot until last night. She set it aside, paced through the house, came back and sat down, held her head in her hand and then dropped back against the cushions on the sofa and stared out the window. All after saying tearfully, "I don't want to lose my house." She wanted to die in this house where she raised her children. She's lived in this neighborhood for almost 70 years. I was 4 when we moved here. She grew up four doors down the street and lived away from here only about 3 years or so when this house came available.

AD is taking everything from her. That is SO wrong.

Have a great day, everyone.

MamaCath,

I'm so sorry your mom is having trouble with the nursing home idea.  My mother in law kept saying that she wanted to go home, which for her is in PA.  We live in OH.  We had to do what we felt was right for her and her being over 400 miles away just didn't work.  When we went on vacation and did the respite care she got really mad at us and wanted us to leave her in our home by herself and it just wasn't an option.  Has your mom tried the nursing home activities?  Maybe that would be a way to get her more involved.  I know the respite stay made a big difference in how my MIL took the Assisted Living facility.  She wasn't happy about when we made it permanent but we had already had her home in PA for sale.  It had a buyer when we moved her into the Assisted Living permanently, so we had told her the house had sold.  Which at the time was true but those buyers pulled out and we are on buyers number 2.  She has accepted as much as she is going to about the new facility.  She doesn't think there's anything wrong with her but the doctor's and us know different and that how we have to procede.  It makes for a really sucky life at times.  Just know that your decisions for your mom are made for her own good and for your peace of mind as well.  If you don't notice a difference after your mom being on Namenda for a while ask about the Aricept.  We started out with the Namenda with no changes and now we are on Aricept and we've been on it for maybe 6-8 weeks.  We're not seeing any changes yet but the doctor is still hopefully.  Time will tell.  I wish you peace and your mom well.

Ah, the Namenda is wonderful. I really think it has helped her. Aricept is not an option for her. I'm thinking it's because of other medications she is taking. When Namenda came along the doc said, "I've read all the reports and I'm really impressed with this one. I want to try it." OK by us! She's been on it since it was released for use.

We haven't placed her in a nursing home yet. We did do the paperwork late last week and anticipate moving her there before the end of the week. She doesn't like the idea, but she said she knows her children are only doing what they think is best for her so she won't fight it. The sadness is that there is so much of her in this house. Dad was the carpenter, but Mom was the one who changed the archways between rooms, built the kitchen, opened up the staircase, built the closets, paneled the hallway, and enclosed the backporch to make it a laundry room. She did the wiring, the roof repair, and everything else. She LOVES this house. But I don't see much we can do about the situation. She can't stay alone. I can't stay much longer. I've been staying with her for the past four months. DH hasn't been patient the whole time, but most of it. And I am not trained to handle advancing AD.

We are in OH, too. Native Buckeyes. :)

MamaCath,

I'm glad the Namenda is working for your mom.  It's great that you've been able to spend time with your mom.  I'm glad she understands that your doing it for her own good.  It's difficult no matter what the situation is but I hope that she will understand in time you've done what you feel is in her best interest.  Have you talked to the Local Alzeimer's Association?  There is a Cleveland chapter and that is where we started and they were a wealth of information and they are a great support.  We have not made it to any support group meetings but just the amount of information they shared was wonderful.  They called on a regular basis to see how things were going until we decided on the Assisted Living Facility.

I continue to wish you well.  It's a tough time for everyone.  One thing that may help your mom is take pictures of her home and her family and friends and make a little album.  I know we had a small wedding album made for each set of parents and we just recently found them for both parents and we put it in her apartment and the caregivers will sit down with her and ask questions about different photos and even the album.  So, we are trying to label photo's and put them in her apartment so she can remember the good times.  We haven't got all of them but there are a few and the caregivers and really good about asking about them.  We just had pictures done of my 14 yr old daughter for father's day and we put some of them in the apartment and it gives the caregivers something to talk with her about.  I continue to wish you and your family well.

Thanks. I was thinking about making sure there are plenty of pictures there. I will do that for sure now.

In regards to worrying about getting Alzheimer's myself, because I take care of my Mother who is in the early stages....ABSOLUTELY NOT! No I am not in denial...I am in positive....DONT' WORRY BE HAPPY MODE!

My Mom is 89 years old and started the slippery slope at about 85...God Bless her....I am 56 and live life one day at a time. Taking care of my Mom, who took care of me and my 5 siblings, not to mention numerous other children in her life; (our home was one of the first day care homes in the area) and my our Mom took in relative's children when they were unable to do so themselves.

Our Mom is a saint and although it can be stressful at times to watch what this awful disease is doing to her, I choose to focus on the good things...each day...and continue to make each day an adventure!

SugarMama Kat  Corralitos, California.

Hello ~ I have been on vacation the last 4 days but do apprecaite the posts made here.  I would like to comment, probably tomorrow.  I just wanted to mentioned that I checked in my tote and my camera at the museum and 6 hours later I walked right out of there and realize on the expressway that I had left my precious camera at the check-in.  Luckily, we had planned on returning the next day.  However, I was so upset I did this.  How could I forget to pick-up such an important thing like that.  My DH says, "This could happen to anyone."  But I know me and this is wrong.

Some of the comments here have been heartbreaking; others quite positive. Thank you!

Kariann

That could happen to anyone. You get wrapped up in what your seeing and are thinking about all of those things that you've been looking at and studying closely, pondering the possibilities that go along with the place. Thank goodness you were going back the next day!

Stress isn't a good thing for you, I think. It's not good for anyone! If you can stop worrying so much, that might help you. Stress can make AD leap, or so I've found with my mom. Think less about what's ahead and just live in the moment, if you can do these things.

When we all have a lot on our plates, THAT can make us be forgetful. Sometimes it's better to just take one day at a time and live it to the fullest! Time will take care of everything else.

This reply is for Kariann, I think...but really for everyone who may need it.

I can so relate to what you all say about dementia and alzheimers. My Mom has dementia, but for all intents and purposes, it is diagnosed as MCI (mild cognitive impairment.) Why.this diagnosis?

Because, in the scheme of assisted living vs. memory care units of most assisted living facilities...the resident is put in memory care if there is any mention of dementia or alz. How do I know this?

I thought it best for my Mom to be in Memory Care, until it actually happened. Then I realized that she was not getting the care she needed; in terms of socializing with others. Most places are very lenient with their assisted living care unless the resident is disruptive, aggressive, or an eloper.

Eloper means wandering or leaving the facility. My Mom was none of these, so thank goodness I could get her a new diagnosis that read MCI and moved her to the "other side"...assisted living.

She has been there for 1 month. It has been a very difficult adjustment for me and her, as well as many of my family members.

My Mom has good days for the most part. I visit her as often as I can...and no sooner do I leave that she calls me and asks me to come and pick her up and take her home???? So, there you go.

Life is precious, that is what I have learned from this dreaded disease. My Mom is still very healthy physically, albeit, she broke her hip in March, but recovered amazingly well...she has a strong spirit, but her brain is deteriorating. It is so sad and so frustrating to see this happen to anyone, but especially your Mom or Dad? Right? I know.

What I know for sure is this.....she is safe, she is secure, she is happy for the most part....while in Assisted Living.

My Ah Ha  Moment......This is hard work, this is stressful, but it too shall pass.

Focus on the positive, be patient, do nice things for your self everyday, because you deserve it.

Appreciate the caregivers at the facility, I do, they are "angels" sent to us to help us care for our parents. Bake lots of cookies, and eat them and share them. Compliment others on a job well done, we all need that so much.

Take care of yourself  FIRST! Probably the hardest thing for me to do too.

Keep chatting and surround yourself with positive people always.

Sugar Mama

Corralitos, California

Thanks for this post! I didn't know about MCI. Where we have placed Mom they asked us about interests so they can work with her. If it wasn't for the AD, my mother would be fine at home. She crochets. She feeds herself. She told them she wanted her meals in her room and they were going to do that. I said, "No, she needs to eat in the dining room. How else can she get to know the people and the place where she now lives if she eats in her room?" Immediately they arranged for her to have supper in the dining room.

My brother went in to hang two of her paintings (she is an artist) in her room. He went to the dining room to find her. She was eating. When she finished, she started going around the room to check out the elderly men there looking for Dad. Richard didn't know exactly what to do about it. I mean, she was walking up to them and turning their faces so she could find Dad. He asked what she was doing. She told him. Then finally said, "Oh, he's dead. He isn't here."

She says she doesn't want to be there. She doesn't understand why she can't live in her own house. When are we ready to leave and go home? In the courtyard, we sat at a table in the shade of the awning. She thought we were at my house. No, Mom. This is where you live now. I came to see you." I had a difficult time leaving. I have to find the way to visit a while and then say, "Mom, it's time for me to go home. I'll see you later."

The MCI thing...I wonder if that's Mom. I'm going to mention it to the caregivers at the home today.

MamaCath,

I know how difficult this is for you, we have been in your shoes.  My mother in law always asks when she's going home.  We try to redirect her by getting her interested in something of changing the subject.  We've noticed lately that she doesn't ask about going home as much, she still has a hard time accepting I guess would be the best term but then her memory with the dementia and AD isn't what it would be if she didn't have those things.  She will take spells and call us and say she doesn't belong her she's not a lunatic (her term) but we try to just reassure her and change the subject.  Our biggest hurdle currently is that she wants her girdles.  We have thrown them all out because of incontinence issues and cleanliness issues.  She weighs less than my little 14 year old, she doesn't need a girdle.  I found a pair of longer type underwear from a website called Whittmann Textiles and we are going to give those a try.  She wears depends and having a girdlem, she doesn't stay clean and she can't get them down fast enough when she needs to go.  My husband just tells her she doesn't need them because she has underwear and depends and then changes the subject.  She doesn't make life easy, she never has but with the dementia and AD it makes things more challenging.

She didn't like the idea of eating in the dinning room but they put her at a table where all of the ladies were relatively new to the facility.  They are all really nice ladies, two of them were school teachers so they love when my daughter goes to visit.

My husband spent many hours upset about the decision to place her here but it has been for the best.  She's fallen 4 times that we know of and if she would of been in her home in PA.  it's hard to tell what may of happened.  She is across from the nurses station and they check on her quite often and it's made things a bit easier.  It may take time for your mom to accept the situation but get the help of the facility where she is at.  Those people know how to deal with the older people.  The caregiver my mother in law has is a god send and I'm so thankful for her even though there are times my MIL treats her horribly.

Try to reassure and redirect and that was even some of the same things the local Alzeimer's Association folks were telling us.  It does get easier but it will take time.

Best of luck to you and your family.

I understand your concerns.  I've only just let myself realize the reality of this horrific disease.  My mother died from the complications of AD and then when I tried to find my Aunt to notify her of her sister's passing I got a letter telling me she also has the disease.  My children are adopted from China.  I don't want them to have to deal with my family legacy.  However, it looks like they may have to if not for the miracle intervention of God.  I do have another legacy from my Father's Word of Life.  The Lord of All has the final say.  He alone knows when or if this disease will take my life.  If so, it is His will and it is His say if I have lived out my mission in His life.  I love my Mother and I wish she and I had a different relationship but I believe I will see her again and that makes all the difference in the world.  God bless All.

I do worry about it, but I try not to think about it too much at this stage. I am 52 years old. My mother, who is 78, has had Alzheimer's for 5 years and I am her caregiver. My father's sister is in the last stages of Alzheimer's and my dad started showing severe signs of dementia in the last few months of his life. So it is on both sides of my family, which obviously concerns me, and my brother. But you just have to take life one day at a time, and for now, my mother is my main concern. 

I have spent time worrying about being the next generation to have AD. My friend Maureen tells me my brain works differently from Mom's so I don't need to worry about it. I'm a writer. I read a lot, I write a lot. Well, but my mom could play any musical instrument she picked up. She could sew like you wouldn't believe. She built her kitchen. SHE did it. When there was something new to try, she did. She studied painting and was doing well when Dad said she couldn't paint any more. And since they haven't determined yet the causes of AD I don't know how my friend can know that I won't be diagnosed with AD someday.

What does all of this say to me? In the Bible doesn't it say to live each day and not worry about tomorrow? So, I'm not spending much time thinking about what might be down the road. I'm trying to focus on just today so I enjoy every moment I can. That doesn't mean that I don't plan ahead. I do that. But maybe it's time to just live for some of the moments, to live in the right now. AD teaches us that.

I'm adopted and caring for my mom and I STILL concern myself with getting this condition.  I have read ALL of the blogs and learned some info I was not aware of like you can have Alzheimers and Dementia.  Mom does both (not remembering that she forgets and then sometimes she does remember that she forgot) but won't really admit it most of the time.  Mom was diagnosed approx. 12 years ago she's now 84.  I did not know what was going on but her memory was not the first thing I noticed it was her mood swings; then, this person who I knew to be very active began to make excuses for not going to different functions; graduations, family gathering, then CHURCH.  Her excuse was that she is sick but NOTHING was wrong with her; this ALL transpired 6 mos to a year after her mom died.  She and I cared for her mom who had CHF for 5 years in our home  - at this time I was still living at home w/my mom.  One year before her mom died I got married and moved out but just upstairs so I could continue to assist her with the care of her mother.  Anyway, the Dementia progressed but my stepdad (who was a God send) was able to deal with her until the bottom fell out last year.  In April my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and started chemo by june we thought he was getting better then in early November of last year they had to stop the Chemo and run a battery of test and then we knew the worse for yet to come - the cancer had spread to his liver and brain.  Dad was GREAT; she had talked to me a few months prior and began to prepare; we discussed mom and her effect on his health.  She did not understand how ill he was and she has always been very needy - in respect to wanted people (only the persons she wants) around her BUT on her terms - she won't come to you but want you to come to her and just  sit around doing nothing.  As dad's health declined, he was hospitalized for a week; me being her only child and only relative in our state had to take a leave of absence from my job that I just started in Feb to stay w/her and care for her.  She was very combative and disruptive (i.e., cussing and fussing, and fighting...)  Dad was sent home to die and I and his 2 sisters cared for them but NO ONE wanted the night shift (and as we all know, that is the worse shift for any illness; dad's was on morphine and couldn't sleep; he was a skeleton and could not get up or turn by himself; mom walked ALL night and wanted so I could not sleep and by this time needed to return to work (plus remember, I have a husband and 2 teenages on the other side of town).  So I would be up all night and go to work at 9AM the next morning, etc.  As I was making a trip home the day before Thanksgiving, I got the call, your dad's gone - I had just pulled up in front of my house; I turned around and went back b/c mom was still sleeping (it's morning time - this is when she sleeps).  I moved her info my home and then the fun REALLY started; she thinks I'm a teenager and she has to care for me of which she cannot do...I just don't understand this condition; she treat outsiders with such love and respect, she treats me like crap; this afternoon when she decided to get out of bed to have breakfast she left a sausage in her plate; she will not eat in the kitchen so I've set up a table and chair in the livingroom (go figure)  she wanted to leave the sausage on the table; I said , I leave it for awhile then move it because it's too hot to leave it there long it will spoil.  you would have thought I screamed at her or said something mean and hateful to her; she cursed me out; got upset.  She makes me sooo angry b/c she does not do this to the doctors, RNs, homemaker, etc., just me.  She is incontinence BUT won't change her depend when needed; takes it off but I can't get her to understand she has to put another one on and when I mention it she says "I don't need it, or I'll put it on later"  She consistantly asked me what can she do FOR ME, I used to say "put on your underwear or something, now I say nothing, yesterday i told her whatever you want to do which again, made her angry.  I'm just tired; if she wasn't so mean and didn't spew such venom I could handle it better.  Sometimes I think she uses her condition to give me grief b/c she controls her negative outbursts when others are around.  You just have to see her in character to understand. I wanted to send her to Adult day care BUT she will not leave the house she won't even sit in the kitchen or go to the porch; she just sleeps in her bed or on the couch; and when she does rise after 12N she consistanty walks and eats so I have to hide food, etc. she gained 20 lbs which for someone who is not active that is NOT good; but she tell the physical therapist that now comes that she exercises all the time.  She is such a good actress that the doctors, etc believe what she tells them.  It's amazing.  I find myself saying to myself who the patient here?  her or me!  Thanks for having a site where i can just get it out.  No one understands this but the people who actually have or are experiencing this.  I would not wish this on my worse enemy.

Hi. The reason your mother takes everything out on you is because you are there. You are the constant in her life and she trusts that constant enough to be herself. It's the Alzheimer's. Is it really less than a month since we moved Mom to a nursing home? I was beating myself up because I wasn't able to meet her needs. I was so careful what I talked about because I feared she would be over-the-top angry in a heartbeat. When my youngest brother said he couldn't let me stay with Mom any longer I knew he was right, but I still felt terrible guilt for placing her there when she wanted to stay in her own home and die in the house where she raised her children. And my husband (will soon be married 37 years) stayed at our house. He wouldn't move to Mom's for anything. And I stayed at Mom's from March 11 when Dad was admitted to the hospital and died a week later and came home July 15, the day we moved Mom.

Some of the things people said to me:

Your mother wouldn't want you to stop living your life to take care of her. She told you, when the time came put her in a nursing home, even though she knew she would fight with you about it.

Put your mother in a nursing home so you can be her daughter again and enjoy your time together instead of being the caretaker who gets all the abuse.

I have to admit that she has settled down pretty well. She says she wants to go home, but the staff says she only tells her children this. She is safe. I don't announce when I will be visiting so they don't know when to expect me. The place is always clean, always smells clean, the residents are clean and well cared for. They are kind to the residents, attentive, feed them well, answer our questions and concerns. And when I go to visit now she doesn't get angry with me any more. I just tell her the truth, "Mom, you have memory impairment. I stayed with you but you told me I had to go home because my place is with my husband. You can't stay alone because of the Alzheimer's. If they come up with the antidote tomorrow, we will get it for you and move you back where you belong. But for now you are safe here. We can take care of our families, work our jobs and not have to worry if you are safe." She accepts that.

Maybe it's time for you to think about placing your mother in a nursing home. Visit some facilities to check them out. I wouldn't call ahead because I wanted to see how the facilities REALLY operate. I didn't want to give them the opportunity to prepare for the visit. All you have to tell them is that you are looking while you don't have to make a decision so you know what's available because you don't want to have to make a snap decision when a crisis puts you over the top.

Is it hard to place your mother? You bet it is. But when you get on the other side of it, you will be able to cope with it and come to the realization that you've done the best by your mother that you can..

I hope the best for you. I know exactly what you're dealing with right now.

Cathy, I am happy that things seem to be working out for your Mom at the Nursing Home.  You sound much less stressed out.  Yes, husbands need attention, and I think your DH appreciates this.  I think he knows this is less stressful and your Mother is getting better care!

I have decide to change my Journal title from "Alzheimer's Moments" to "Senior Moments" - not that all senior citizens would be as I am.  Yesterday, I was going to the mall and walked out with two left feet shoes.  Both were black.  Now, I should have realized this as I was driving, but didn't realize it until I was walking in the store. My feet started hurting and  I ended up buying a pair of shoes!

I am trying to learn more about MCI (mild cognitive impairment.) as I think this may be the direction I am heading.  I will say one thing... being with my young Grandchildren really seem to help.  Nothing like rocking a little one.  I haven't made any mistakes with them, so that is good.

Cathy, may God bless your day and all others taking care of their parents.  My Mom died of complications from Diabetes, and I took care of her for four years.  It was so demanding doing everything while taking care of my own home and children.  However, her mind was sharp.  That does make a difference.  I miss her so much.

If my mother didn't have Alzheimer's she could live with me the rest of her life and that would be just fine. It's the Alzheimer's! I realize research is looking for answers. But I still feel like they aren't working fast enough. At the Alzheimer's symposium/whatever in Vienna, Austria in July they announced that Alzheimer's is a global epidemic. That speaks loudly. I'm trying to become an advocate for AD but I am so busy getting my house in order...I am a publicist part time...going to see Mom at least 3 times a week. If I had 48 hours in each of my days it would not be time enough, I'm sure. But as someone said, I think it was here, idle hands are the devil's workshop. Nope. I don't have time for idle hands. ;D

Must be about time for me to write another entry in my Alzheimer's blog. I haven't done that for a few weeks. (http://hummingbirddontflyaway.blogspot.com. I think that'll get anyone there who is interested.

Oh gosh yes I worry I will get Alzim's,.Especially since my mother's sister had it.Her other sister's died of cancer,heart problemns and a stroke. But Alzim's scares me more.What also bothers me is that my father's family all had Parkinsin's.I feel as tho I'm Jinxed...My mom was told at 54 she would most likely get alzim's ...she's 88 now and is at about the beginning of the third stage.I'm 55 and my mind is NOT like it use to be..I forget and that's when I DO get really scared.I took care of my father,he died in 2006 I take care of my mother and it's not easy watching them "GO Away" from you right before your eyes.....so many wonderful memories Fading away.....Scared very,I'm not ashamed to say it.....just hope and pray I do not.....to all others Hang in there...All who take care of there parents are a "GOD SEND"... HUGS and PRAYERS from JaniceElaine Olson

I worry about it a lot.I can't remember so much already.But I am told that it's the stress I am under. Mom is 86 and has lost her short term memory already. It is a sad thing to watch.

Stress does make you forgetful.Been there done that. Find a positive outlet for your stress. Aerobic workout. Yoga. Something that you really enjoy and MAKE the time for it. If you are worried about getting AD, talk to your doctor. Don't waste your precious time worrying about things that you can't do anything about. One time I heard a man say, "Don't worry about things. Worry is just a waste of time. But if you are concerned about things you do what you can do and then let it go because you've done everything you could do." That was many years ago. Seems wise advice to me and I've thought of it many times  over the years.