Posted on 11/02/2004 10:42:07 AM PST by neverdem
My mother used to make a nice ginkgo tea for her patient. The family thought he was getting too well because he started asking questions about his money. Some folks benefit from parents being senile.
My grandmother atacked my then 4 year old son twice. Once with a large book and then with a pair of scissors. She was not provoked either. That is when I knew I could no longer care for her in my home. Alzheimer's is one of the most evil and vilest diseases out there.
My mom has encountered problems with patients before. They revert back to their childhood. If their childhood was violent, then it's likely the patient will act out. It's take real skill and talent to deal with them.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 4 years ago. Her's ended up being a very aggressive form. I went through hell for 2 years....Alzheimer's victims tend to take it all out on their closest and most loved ones. My mom is currently in a nursing home and the worst is over. By that I mean the violent, aggressive outbursts that break one's heart. She remembers basically nothing other than her childhood. She still thinks her parents are alive even though they died over 20 years ago. I, my cousin, her brother and a few close friends are the only people she remembers. She will, sometime in the near future, even forget us. This is the most excruciating, heart breaking thing I have ever gone through. My mother was a dynamic individual, a business leader who was elected business person of the year in our community 25 odd years ago. To see what this disease does is absolutely the saddest thing I've ever witnessed. My heart goes out to all Alzheimer's victims and expecially their families who must cope and love the victim in spite of the progression of the disease.
I hope that was sarcasm.
That's not appropriate.
I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through with your mom.
My grandmother got like that, and it was very hard.
The last that I heard or read, a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be made by autopsy.
I dunno, my husband's grandmother (for whom our youngest is named for was the sweetest lady, but... she strangled nurse's aid with panty hose and almost killed them. At the time she was under the strong delusion that she was protecting her home and family.
My grandmother was always throwing tableware and fruit (especially apples) at my kids because she thought they were theiving grifters (her words). Most of the time she thought she was on a train going to meet up with her husband who had been a train conductor most of his life and they traveled a lot by train after the war.
I don't know that they were angry and aggressive, just that their reality and our reality crashed into each other a little hard every now and then.
Alzheimer's is not something I would wish on anyone....including John Kerry. It is the most cruel disease to both the victim and his/her family. My mother in law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 7 years ago and is still the same, sweet person she always was, only she has NO short term memory. My husband and I call her Dory when we're alone because she is just like the blue fish Dory in Finding Nemo. That might sound cruel & mocking to some, but when a family watches a loved one slip away, sometimes the only thing left is to laugh. The best part of her condition is that she has no idea what is wrong with her as she has since forgotten her diagnosis. Prayers for anyone who is suffering.
My father in law died of Alzheimer's last year after he had reached the point where he forgot how to swallow and inspired food, leading to pneumonia. Over the previous four years, we had watched the progress of this disease until he no longer recognized any family members, knew who he was or what he was doing. This from a man who had been the auditor of a major corporation, who was well read, and who enjoyed life.
He was good natured to the end and never got violent or mean. This is a cruel disease.
Bump For Later
Thank you so much for your kind words of support. It is truly difficult as you know, very painful, very hurtful even though one understands the dynamics of the disease.
Thanks again....
You sir, are an idiot.
You know not of what you speak.
I'm going to take a shot here and guess that your comment is out of youthful ignorance.
For their sakes, I hope your parents will NEVER have to depend on YOU for care in their declining years.
Not a problem.
I'll pray for you guys.
My MIL has it, too, and it is devestating that side of the family.
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