Alzheimer's Reading Room
Albrecht Dürer
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The number of emails I am receiving from new born Alzheimer's caregivers is increasing weekly. The majority of these caregivers, brand new to the disease, find the Alzheimer's Reading Room via Google search.
As many of you understand, these new born are overwhelmed, in a heightened state of angst, in denial in one form or another, and "scared". Often, they don't know what to do, and they don't know where to turn.
They turn to us for help. The "us' in this equation is the Collective Brain of the Alzheimer's Reading Room.
By knowing us, they learn they are not alone. They will get great advice, insight, and most importantly support. We are all getting better at this as we go.
The information below is an email I sent to someone that found us recently.
Here is part of her email to us. Katherine wrote:
- I stumbled onto your website through default and to be brutally honest, I find it very hard to read at times.
- We started to be concerned about mum probably 2-3 years ago through incidental events.
- I am confused and still in denial as to whether it's possibly depression.
- Mum has been on Aricept for 2-3 months.
- Can you please tell me what medication can do to people with this condition.
- The first decline was about 12 weeks ago when I ended up calling an ambulance due to delirium.
- It ended up being stress and an infection which attributed to this terrible situation.
- Any advice in this would be so appreciated.
Katherine...
I understand how you might be feeling. I had to come from a long distance away to care for my mother.
Since you mentioned depression I'll recommend this article.
Alzheimer's: Mom Didn't Laugh for Two Years and it was Killing Me
I would suggest that you have your mother's Thyroid tested. Tested by a doctor that specializes or has lots of experience with hypothyroidism.
If you have a specialist, or a neurologist, great. If not, you cannot rely solely on a personal care physician in my opinion. Your mother needs to be checked out by a specialist like a neurologist if that has not happened.
It does help a person to overcome denial if causes other than Alzheimer's or dementia are ruled out:
Is it really Alzheimer's or something else?
What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
What is Alzheimer's? What are the Eight Types of Dementia?
Denial is understandable and common. However, if it is Alzheimer's you will need to consider having your mother live with you, or in an appropriate care facility.
If it is Alzheimer's this is what I suggest.
The Combination of Aricept and Namenda Helps Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients
Aricept and Namenda from Day One -- This is my Belief
You can also read through the recommended articles on the sidebar and use the search box.
You might also find this collection of articles useful over time.
Care Giving -- Insight and Advice
The best thing that I can tell you is that your are not alone. There are many millions of us all over the world.
Good luck, and God Bless.
Bob
OK folks, please add you insight and advice in the comments area. Be gentle.
Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,565 articles with more than 8,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.
- 60 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room
- Alzheimer's CareGiving -- Insight and Advice
- Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)
- Communicating in Alzheimer's World
- Worried About Alzheimer's Disease -- You Should Be
- What is Alzheimer's? What are the Eight Types of Dementia?
- Does the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients
- Alzheimer's Disease Statistics
- Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?
- Ten Symptoms of Early Stage Alzheimer's
- Ten Tips for Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient
 The Alzheimer's Action Plan |  300 Tips for Making Life Easier |
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room