Alzheimer's Support Groups

Hi CharD, If you're still considering this decision and move... * Please do discuss your concerns and questions with the senior living center team caring for your mom. A geriatric care manager may also assist you in assessing her needs and coordinating care: [https://www.caring.com/local/geriatric-care-managers](https://www.caring.com/local/geriatric-care-managers) * Here is more information about the differences between independent living, assisted living and nursing home care: [https://www.caring.com/articles/residential-care-options-comparison](https://www.caring.com/articles/residential-care-options-comparison) * Here's an overview of the seven best resources for Alzheimer's caregiving help: [https://www.caring.com/articles/best-resources-alzheimers-help](https://www.caring.com/articles/best-resources-alzheimers-help) * Caring.com also has a falls and dementia info center: [https://www.caring.com/falls-and-dementia](https://www.caring.com/falls-and-dementia), as well as Q&A about UTI prevention: [https://www.caring.com/questions/uti-prevention](https://www.caring.com/questions/uti-prevention) -- featuring expert input from geriatrician Leslie Kernisan * Please consider posting reviews of the care providers you interview and/or hire -- to help other families in their search: [https://www.caring.com/questions/uti-prevention](https://www.caring.com/questions/uti-prevention) I hope these suggestions are helpful. Please let us know if you need more. Thanks!

Agreed. Hugs, this is a hard decision to make.

I agree, the injury is giving you and opening, God works in mysterious ways.

Hello "dmbabbitt," I hope this caregiver works out for you! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. When the time is right, I encourage you to write and rate the home care agency in our Senior Living Directory, to help other caregivers who are in a similar situation nearby. You may learn more about the ratings and reviews program here: [https://www.caring.com/review_submissions/new?utm_source=community](https://www.caring.com/review_submissions/new?utm_source=community) and leave a review here: [https://www.caring.com/review_submissions/new?utm_source=community](https://www.caring.com/review_submissions/new?utm_source=community) Kind regards, Sho

So far so good, this young lady has had a similar care in her life so she understands my sister's needs. Just anote for those of you who may still be looking for a caregiver, I found the agency thru Caring.com by putting in my zip nad checking the ratings, the owner has been super in maintaining contact and concern. Good luck to all of you and thanks so much for your feedback.

I hope this one works out for you. I was at the point of a breakdown a few months ago because I dreaded the sitter we had. The one we have now is our 3rd in 7 months and she is such a blessing. If you get the right person to fit in your family it can make life so much easier. Just don't forget they are working for you and if they do not care for your loved one you have every right to fire them.

Hi Lexie, Sorry to hear about this challenge with your mom -- thanks for sharing, and thanks to all who shared suggestions! Here are some resources on Caring.com that may likewise be helpful... * [Alzheimer's Behavior Problems info center](https://www.caring.com/alzheimers-behavior-problems) The Difficult Behaviors slideshow has includes strategies you can try with your mom: [https://www.caring.com/slideshows/difficult-behaviors](https://www.caring.com/slideshows/difficult-behaviors) * Your Custom Care Guide has specific symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia, and how to handle them: [https://www.caring.com/my/care-guide](https://www.caring.com/my/care-guide) * This info center includes a wide range of content about Alzheimer's, with ways to slow the progression, ease many symptoms, and offer comfort: [https://www.caring.com/alzheimers](https://www.caring.com/alzheimers) * You mentioned that your mom won't accept help from others. These tips can help you to persuade your mom to accept an elder companion or in-home caregiver to assist with her care and give you and your husband some breaks from caregiving: [https://www.caring.com/articles/how-to-get-your-loved-one-to-accept-an-elder-companion](https://www.caring.com/articles/how-to-get-your-loved-one-to-accept-an-elder-companion) * Caring.com also has information about Power of Attorney and adult guardianship: [https://www.caring.com/senior-money-legal](https://www.caring.com/senior-money-legal) and [https://www.caring.com/adult-guardianship](https://www.caring.com/adult-guardianship) * Info to help you with your arthritis: [https://www.caring.com/rheumatoid-arthritis](https://www.caring.com/rheumatoid-arthritis) * Caregiver burnout is also something to be concerned about, and here are some strategies to help you cope with the stress of caregiving and avoid burnout: [https://www.caring.com/caregiver-stress](https://www.caring.com/caregiver-stress) I hope these suggestions are helpful. Please do let us know if you need more. Thanks!

love hearing happy reports!!! ♥

Thank you all so much for your help. My husband usually does her shopping and I cook meals at my home and my husband brings them over to her. I live in Skokie, Illinois and my mom lives in Chicago only 15 minutes from us which helps a lot when emergencies arise. I have to share this, I talked to her the other day and she seemed in a better frame of mind which made me so happy. I'm sending all of you my prayers and hugs too.

whew! ♥

Avio, thanking God hurricane Isaac did not land fall on you! Praying for those in Isaac's path of distruction........ Tizzy

I had forgotten what a caring and intelligent group you all are! I will try to make more time to visit a little more regularly. what a pick-me-up!

Hi Misty, Sorry to hear about this challenge with your mom -- thanks for sharing, and thanks to all who welcomed Misty and shared their stories and suggestions! Here are some resources on Caring.com that may likewise be helpful... * [Alzheimer's Behavior Problems info center](https://www.caring.com/alzheimers-behavior-problems) The Difficult Behaviors slideshow has includes strategies you can try with your mom: [https://www.caring.com/slideshows/difficult-behaviors](https://www.caring.com/slideshows/difficult-behaviors) * Your Custom Care Guide has specific symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia, and how to handle them: [https://www.caring.com/my/care-guide](https://www.caring.com/my/care-guide) * This info center includes a wide range of content about Alzheimer's, with ways to slow the progression, ease many symptoms, and offer comfort: [https://www.caring.com/alzheimers](https://www.caring.com/alzheimers) * Consider helping by hiring an in-home caregiver or elder companion who can assist with the cooking, cleaning and other household items you referenced that you're helping your dad with: [https://www.caring.com/local/in-home-care](https://www.caring.com/local/in-home-care) These tips can help you to persuade your mom (and dad) to accept this type of help: [https://www.caring.com/articles/how-to-get-your-loved-one-to-accept-an-elder-companion](https://www.caring.com/articles/how-to-get-your-loved-one-to-accept-an-elder-companion) I hope these suggestions are helpful. Please do let us know if you need more. Thanks!

Welcome to the family, Misty! I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. It must be very difficult for your Dad to see his wife like this. I am the 24/7 caregiver of my DH (dear husband). We've been at this for several years now. Lharper is spot on when she talked about this journey being a roller coaster ride of emotions. You just never know from one day to the next, or one moment to the next what kind of mood our loved one is in. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your parents better through this online support group. In the meantime, consider yourself hugged. I live in the Texas Hill Country north of San Antonio................Gillian (aka Jill, Gilligan).

Hi Misty, Welcome to our group we are a diverse group of people caring for various loved ones, all ages and from all over the world. My name is Laura I live in Pennsylvania and I look after my MIL 24/7. She has lived with us for 5 years and until May we were both managing to work, my husband and I (not MIL). In May she had a bad fall and broke her shoulder and I quit my job as a cna on a ALZ/Dem unit in a large nursing home. The split personality thing is super common. My Mother in Law comes alive with company, but not us or her grand kids, just special company. She rarely speaks and yells if she wants something, but chatters away if her brother or someone from the seniors center is here. I noticed that it happened a lot in the NH too, they would become animated with say the maintenance man but not talk to a daughter or some other regular visitor....not sure why this is. As far as nasty goes, my husband says his Mom was always miserable but it sure has got more pronounced with the ALZ. Come visit here often, I wouldn't get through my day without these people, such a support and always somebody here to talk to.