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• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• February 1, 2008 9:25 p.m.

  Hi Pattergal. Where are you? Cat and I are here to give you some help. It may not be a lot but you can talk to two people who have gone through what you are going through. You need to talk to us.

  - nosnarfu9

• January 28, 2008 11:25 p.m.

  My mother-in-law, a living saint, was diagnosed with early onset at age 55, died at age 65. I can only ditto Nosnarfu9 comments. Early on, get a POA for both medical and finanacial, Living Will and DNR, if that is your and her wishes. Importantly, don't forget to take care of the care-giver, as well. As always more than one victim of Alzheimers. As sad as the disease is to all involved, it's less stressful with foresight. Unending patience with both the victim and the caregiver is never overrated. I do volunteer work with a group of Alzhiemer patients, and my advice is to remember, no one knows what goes on in their minds or how much they comprehend, so always treat them as the same intelligent person they've always been, and with love and respect.

  - Cat

• January 21, 2008 7:53 a.m.

  Lisa, have your local doctor call Mayo to refer you for an appointment, or else you can just call information and get the direct number. Good luck!

  - Jan

• January 15, 2008 3:04 p.m.

  I am 53 years old and recently diagnosed with early-onset alzheimer's disease. I cannot work any longer. I want another opinion and treatment. I am desperately trying to get and appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn!! Can anyone help?

  - Lisa

• December 6, 2007 11:41 a.m.

  We need some insight into to how to care for my father through and after the death of my mother, his wife of 64 years. What do we tell him? What is the kindest and most compassionate way to help him deal with this?

  - Barb

• December 4, 2007 8:40 p.m.

  This is for Pattergal My wife just turned 60 and in the final stage of early onset. I could find little if any help for early onset. I think I could help a lot of early onset patients and the care givers of people with early onset but find it hard where to start. Do you have a living will? Do you have a POA? If not that is the things you must do now. Are you married and does your husband plan to take care of you in your home? Is your bedroom upstairs or down stairs? I think that each case of Alzheimer's is different. Here are a few of the things that happen to my wife. In 1996 she quit driving for no reason. She quit cooking because she could not remember what went in what dish. For years we had a glass of wine after dinner and one night she just let it sit there. I am running out of space and have not even started. Sorry for the spelling errors but again no spell check. Good luck I will check back and see if I can help

  - Nosnarfu9

• November 25, 2007 9:41 p.m.

  In an article in the Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, Oct-Dec; 17(4): 269-286, Drs. Frank and Gupta at the Univ. of Buffalo School of Medicine, published an analysis of 300 articles from the Nat. Libr. of Medicine from 1996-2004 about the use of anti-oxidants in preventing or stopping progression of Alzheimer's. They concluded anti-oxidants show promise against AD, as against cardiovascular disease and cancers, and cell protection in general, and are essentially risk-free. Well controlled studies of course need to be done. This will involve a many year process. Anti-oxidants are found in a variety of foods: green tea, pigmented vegetables, and Vitamins C & E, & selenium (in moderation). The highest food source is unsweetened cocoa, using artificial sweeteners and water rather than sugar and milk to keep calories, etc., down. There doesn't seem to be a downside. Perhaps this can help. Best of luck to all.

  - Robert G. Schneider, M.D.

• November 24, 2007 7:07 p.m.

  I have early onset and am in my late 50s. I don't know what to expect or what I can do to help myself. Can anyone out there help me?

  - Pattergal

• November 21, 2007 2:55 p.m.

  Here is a quick tip which can save you expensive plumbing bills if you are caring for an Alzheimer's patient in your home. Sometimes things like bits of clothing can be getting flushed down the toilet which will clog the toilet. This means expensive plumber's visits and bills. We solved this problem quickly by going to the hardware store annd buying a "C" clamp which we fastened just under the flush handle on the toilet bowl. This prevented the person with Alzheimer's from flushing the toilet. It saved us untold plumber's visits, and when we wished to use the facility, all we had to do is loosen the clamp and move it slightly out of the way. When finished, we would put it back in place and tighten to snug. We never had any further cause to call the plumber. I hope this helps you also. While caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, we need all the help we can get. I offer this tip with the hope it helps you manage things a bit easier. From Chris in South Portland, Maine, U

  - Christopher

• November 19, 2007 9:16 p.m.

  My husband is 83 and was diagnosed about 2 years ago and he is taking Exelon. I think it has helped with the agitation, however, I now realize there has been a progression into the next phase...Of course I worry about what is to be expected and read all I can everyday. I am determined to provide the best care that I can. He has been a wonderful father and husband and I do mourn the loss of a relationship. I feel lost and unsure of my caretaking ability. I try to take each day as it come and pray for strength, patience and understand. Thank you for this forum.

  - Theresa

• November 14, 2007 8:21 a.m.

  My wonderful, smart, funny, brother in law has just been diagnosed with early onset Alz. He is only 58 years old. We are all devastated, as you can well imagine. We are going through such a range of emotions mostly extremely sadness. My sister and BIL live in Washington and we live in California so there's that to contend with too. I feel so far away and want help, and support in any way I can. My husband and I are planning on relocating to Wa in about a year, but that seems so far away and my BIL is declining quickly. Early onset has a whole different set of problems and concerns to deal with. Any one else here with a loved one with early onset?

  - Michele

• November 14, 2007 3:30 a.m.

  Marion, I will pray for you. Your message made me cry because I can feel your despair. Mom has Alz, Dad has dementia, neither feel nothing is wrong and are furious with me for sending a caregiver. I'm trying to raise 2 elementary school kids. Others have suggested getting Mom into a day care for Alz. patients. Would that help you? God bless you.

  - Linda

• November 13, 2007 7:12 p.m.

  I am feeling totally overwhelmed, not only does my spouse have Alzheimer's but is now going through hormone shots and radiation five days a week for the next 10 weeks. Help

  - Marion

• October 31, 2007 8:44 p.m.

  My husband was diagnosed with mixed dementia last summer,so we've started our way down the slippery slope.He just turned 80,and is on a popular pill which treats the cause rather than the symptoms. It's so difficult for me to believe that this is happening,as he is the smartest man I've ever known;always first in his class,an executive in his company.I'm a dependent person,and he's always taken care of me.Now I'm trying to rise to the occasion,and it's hard.I have decided to take each day as it comes,and not to think about what the future will hold.

  - Babs

• October 28, 2007 7:23 p.m.

  My husband is 83 and has Alzheimers.It started about 6 yrs. ago.For the past two years since the AD escalated, I have been able to keep him at home with me with the help of a caregiver.I have found that fish oil in liquid form from the Health Food store has helped his anxiety.I noticed a difference within a week.I also discovered Bach Rescue Remedy at the Health Food store which calms him down when he is in one of his bad moods. 4 drops in a small glass of water or on a tsp. works well. It is all natural and can be given to children or to animals.This is much easier than trying to get him to swallow a pill especially when he is in one of his angry moods - I have had pills thrown at me or spit at me. This resecue remedy can be given several times daily. We give it to my husband before he gets out of bed in the morning I am very blessed. The caregiver knows how to handle by sweet husband when he isn't so sweet. My husband also takes Aricept and Namenda.

  - Paulyne

• October 25, 2007 5:18 p.m.

  Alan, I sympathize completely. It would seem that your mom has very similar symptoms as my own (including the glaucoma) My mother is becomming quite combative. Maybe there is a reward for doing this. It's got to be the most difficult job I've ever done. Good luck to you brother.

  - Steve Kroll

• October 23, 2007 9:36 p.m.

  My mother has Alzheimer's 10and 1-half years and counting. She does not take pills so I have to crush it, seraquel and put it in ice cream. She fights me and does not want to take it. But once I tried to wean her off it slowly and she landed in NYU. She could not remain at home without this medicine. Otherwise there is really nothing on the market and most have bad side effects. My mother also has glaucoma and needs eye drops in both eyes. My father usually gives them to her with my help. He is going into the hospital for a knee replacement so I know my Mom will be more difficult then usual. We have homecare but they can not give medication and with my help my Mom has remained at home. But it is very taxing and I hope better medicinesw come on the market shortly.

  - Alan Block

• October 18, 2007 7:52 p.m.

  Except that my 79 year old wife's dementia was the result of a car accident about one year ago, my experience has been much like the others posted here. However, since she was put on Trazodone (25mg three times a day)in April her behavior and sense of well being has been very good. Her hold on a sense of security is tenuous and when she loses it a panicky anxiety attack ensues that required the use of Ativan to calm her down prior to her being on Trazodone. These attacks are now rare and only occur when her surroundings change to a degree she does not recognize where she is. We are careful about modifying her environment unnecessarily, but even when an attack does occur, we understand the cause and can shortly bring her back to "normal" without drugs. As soon as it is over her memory of it is totally gone. I would like to understand this better.

  - Judson

• October 16, 2007 7:31 p.m.

  My twin brother was diagnosed about 60 days ago with Alzheimers. I am 77 years of age and in good health. If you wish, add my name to any appropriate test group that may exist.

  - Larry ldonlin@msn.com

• October 13, 2007 4:59 p.m.

  My wife has Alzheimers, diagnosed 2 years ago. She still lives at home and we both are active within the local Alzheimers community, this in northern New Zealand. I understand that more women than men contract Alzheimers and was struck by the fact that few husbands give their stories in the blog. While the problems are pretty much the same for all of us it would be great to have more husbands submitting their stories. I am 13 years younger than my wife and still work in my printing business. We take one day at a time and try to keep reasonably active socially both within the Alzheimers community and elsewhere. One gets much verbal support, of course, but the understanding of those who have not experienced the journey we are on have very little concept of the day-to-day challenges/issues we face. Come on men, let's hear from more of you!

  - Malcolm

• October 13, 2007 12:32 a.m.

  My husband was diagnosed with AD in 2002. He has done quite well until recently. He has become physically weak and has forgotten how to do many things. Most of the time he thinks I am someone else. I help him dress and it is getting more difficult. I am constantly looking for clothes that are easy to manage. He has trouble understanding what he is supposed to do but once he catches on, he does what ever I ask of him. The last couple of weeks he has been getting up 3 and 5 times a night to go to the bathroom. I get up with him to see that he gets to the toilet in time or else I'm cleaning up the bathroom. I took him to see his doctor today and find that he has a prostate infection so is taking antbiotics. I hope this will clear it up so I can get some sleep. How have others coped with frequency at night? How did you manage? Any help will be much appreciated.

  - Teresa

• October 9, 2007 8:00 p.m.

  I read the letter from Virgie Mitchell. My husband has the same problem, plus I had to put him in a home. There was a woman with the sex problem & they were found at least trying to have sex. I can't get that out of my mind. He is on aricept, namenda & ativan. Can these cause them to be over sexed? He has always been faithful, a good christian and I can tell he does love me. I did not see the answer to Virgie's questions. Where do I find the answers.

  - June

• October 7, 2007 8:20 p.m.

  After I shower my 92-year-old mother, who has Alzheimer's, head to toe with suds and rubbing, I massage her face to toe with oil. Her nervousness subsides, her circulation improves, her skin looks better than it looked 20 years ago--no purple or red sections. Read about long, slow stroke massage and the benefits. We both love the experience. She lets the oils soak in afterwards, totally relaxed. Our best conversations happen after these sessions when her focus is heightened. She says it makes her feel light and free.

  - k

• October 6, 2007 8:11 p.m.

  Shirley, I have a friend who went to work one day and when she came home her husband couldn't walk. My husband has Lewy Body. This past week he has been extremely tired, bad head aches and not sleeping well. I will take him to the doctor on Monday to see if he has upper resporatory problems or a UTI or if it is dementia related. He has done so well for so long that his past week has been a little frightful for me. It seems odd to hope your husband is physically ill, knowing the other option is dementia related.

  - Sharon G

• October 5, 2007 8:12 a.m.

  One thing for sure is you can't judge what your loved one with AD will do by reading what other AD people do. Some days are good - some not so good - but like shirley - i have found musis is soothing for them - dad just loves the "oldies" like lawrence welk, guy lombardo, etc. and old hymns. He can't concentrate enough to watch tv - Love this site - thank you for it - and bless all you caretakers.

  - jackie (jc)