dani dewf
Caring for my mom Member since January 03, 2010I am presently dealing with caring for my mother, who is experiencing dementia that I believe to be mid-stage Alzheimer's Disease. She is still living by herself and is trying to "hold tightly" to her independence. There is a family history of Alzheimer's. Although other family members did not see it at the time, I first began recognizing signs that Mother's mental acuity was declining about four years ago. Mother has not been diagnosed and is stubbornly in denial that AD might be the underlying cause of many of the problems she has recently been experiencing. Over the past four months (after an eye injury), she has very gradually begun to accept my help with finances, transportation, shopping, insurance concerns, doctors' appointments, etc. Although I have tried to be patient and am conscious of helping her maintain her independence and dignity, she insists that I am "trying to make her an invalid". She stubbornly refuses to assign a POA or to sign a health care directive. I recently purchased "Five Wishes" from Aging with Dignity, after reading about it on Caring.com, and am hopeful that she will agree to fill out the booklet. I am committed to being there for my mom and realize that this will be a long and difficult journey. Caring.com is a "guiding light" as I enter this care-giving tunnel of darkness.