Hello to all - My name is JJ - I care for my father with Alzheimer's and my mother with slight Dementia.
I need to be connected with people going through similar situations with their loved ones and to get feed back. I do feel a little overwhelmed with this.
My first question would be about my father's safety working with his tools in his work shop - I hate to take his hobby of wood work away from him - but he is on Aricept and Prozac, and I'm not sure if this is too dangerous. He has had Alzheimer's for 3 years now.
And secondly - I am having a problem knowing when I should move into their home to care for them.
My mother doesn't cook anymore and they are both getting too thin. She is also forgetting to give him his medication.
I have so many other questions etc. - but I will start here - thank you - JJ
Hi JJ! you're inthe right place. In fact, I'll even point you to the Alzheimer's support board: Alzheimer's support
It sounds scary! I think of my father and how he loved to work with tools and if he'd developed memory issues, I know I would be worried, too.
JJ - I am writing to you because I too have just gone through many years of caring for my Mom - after about 7 years of dealing with this illness she has just passed away this week - that is what made me join this group... looking for comfort myself. Anyway, You must look at your parents and decide for yourself - NO on will be able to tell you that they need outside help but in your own heart you will know - it is very hard to make that final chapter - but it would be good for them - You'll know when they need help all the time - when they might be a threat to themselves, when they call you 15 times a day - when getting help for them 8 hrs a day is not enough, when the pills/meds they need to take are not being taken - when you tell them not to turn on the stove - when you feel that if they walk out of the house they might not come back and there is no one there to help them, at night you pray they go to sleep and not hear or see strange things, when they try to call you and get confussed because the tel#'s they have they can't make out - when they don't make it to the bathroom - all these things an more - YOU WILL KNOW that they need help that you can not give them. My mom dialed 911 to ask for the time - the police came to her condo and put her in the hospital - don't ask - she came out but needed more care - it only gets worse... they need help for them - to keep them safe and healthy. The last stages of this illness are not pleasant - BUT all the time right to the end - she knew who I was... I would have died a million times and years ago if she didn't - she knew my name and who I was - right to the last few minutes. I loved her VERY much - I know I did the right thing for by placing her in the ASL hands - I'm sure you will too.. if you have any questions please feel free to email. I HAVE BEEN THERE.... Babs
Babs
Thank you so very much for your shared wisdom regarding my Father and Mother
It helps so much to know I'm not alone in this.
Sorry to hear of your loss - please feel free to email me at any time.
thanks again - JJ
JJ - at any time you feel you have no where to turn - please email me and if I can give any advise I will help you... baaron8565@aol.com
I understand, this is a difficult time, have a sounding board like this is great. contact me at kjwyatt58@gmail.com
Moving in is really difficult, once you do it seems your there for the duration?? So many pitfalls, I am personally having a difficult one with being here full time.. yet each situation is so different, look at all options, and trust your heart... love to you... good luck and feel free to keep in touch.
kjw
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