My mother-in-law suffered about 10 yrs with Alzheimers, and I was glad for the training I had in college about it.
It is like any long term illness that starts with them acting normal some of the time, and forgetting more and more. The normal things become impossible for them to do, and usually they go to a nursing home in last stages. In the early stages they become not only forgetful but combative, and getting them to bathe or care for themselves is difficult as they are confused as to what is going on. They forget to eat and you have to remind them to take every bite. They can’t live alone, and eventually need 24 hr skilled care, unless you are a nurse or have the patience of Job. They are otherwise usually healthy and do not suffer the colds and small illnesses we have on a regular basis. They are called “sundowners”, and stay awake all night and sleep some in the daytime. They seem reversed at times, and they regress slowly forgetting important people’s names and who they are, until they die.
Let me say this, an aging parent or Alzheimer’s patient will be an extreme in this illness of who they have always been, but without their mind intact. It hurts the family that they are not known, but it is important to keep visiting and reminding them you love them. The familiarity of that face coming is needed, even if they have forgotten. Help to feed them, when they can’t remember to eat, because the CNA’s are too busy to always do that. Hope this helps someone who will face this with a family member someday.
That is what I am doing now with my grandmother.... It’s gutwrenching, and not for the timid....
My Dad suffered from Alzheimer's, and while he didn't get colds, he had terrible allergies, which had never bothered him before.
When Mom finally decided she could no longer care for him, probably 1/2 a year later than she should have, he only lasted just under 3 weeks in the care facility. He hated it, didn't understand why he was there, and would ask when he got to go home. He didn't know much, but he knew he wasn't home, and when told he had to get better before he could go home, well he apparently knew he wasn't going to get better, and just gave up.
He got pneumonia over Easter, was taken to the hospital and given antibiotics. Then a day or two later my brother and mother took him to see his doctor for a follow up. He seemed to be doing fine and they even stopped at the house on the way back to the facility. Next day, he was observed sitting on his bed picking at his lunch, half hour later, he was gone. Alone with not even a stranger. That was hard to know. It's hard to write about now a few years later.
My father-in-law exhibited similar symptoms, but never got combative. He was diagnosed as having, and he continued to have, a series of micro strokes. Again, my mother-in-law was in denial, waited too long, and nearly did herself in. He never did make it to the local state veteran's home, where he'd at least have been among friends, because he passed on while waiting for an opening.
My Dad suffered from Alzheimer's, and while he didn't get colds, he had terrible allergies, which had never bothered him before.
When Mom finally decided she could no longer care for him, probably 1/2 a year later than she should have, he only lasted just under 3 weeks in the care facility. He hated it, didn't understand why he was there, and would ask when he got to go home. He didn't know much, but he knew he wasn't home, and when told he had to get better before he could go home, well he apparently knew he wasn't going to get better, and just gave up.
He got pneumonia over Easter, was taken to the hospital and given antibiotics. Then a day or two later my brother and mother took him to see his doctor for a follow up. He seemed to be doing fine and they even stopped at the house on the way back to the facility. Next day, he was observed sitting on his bed picking at his lunch, half hour later, he was gone. Alone with not even a stranger. That was hard to know. It's hard to write about now a few years later.
My father-in-law exhibited similar symptoms, but never got combative. He was diagnosed as having, and he continued to have, a series of micro strokes. Again, my mother-in-law was in denial, waited too long, and nearly did herself in. He never did make it to the local state veteran's home, where he'd at least have been among friends, because he passed on while waiting for an opening.