Alzheimers support - New to Alzheimer's Patients

Author

New to Alzheimer's Patients

Feather Forestwalker

2004-08-31, 11:11 am

Hi, my name is Feather and I am writing from northern California,
(cross-posting this to alt.christnet.prayer)

A few months ago, a really nice lady moved into our building. She's young
(in her fifties) and has early-onset Alzheimer's.

Long story short, her brother told me that she should have been on Aricept a
long time ago (didn't define what long time ago meant), as she would be
doing better than she is now. . .

.. . .she visits me several times a day (I do work for our church out of my
home most days) with no clue as to what she is supposed to be doing - often
brings her calendar.

I have helped with appointments, appointment reminders and with her laundry
which she forgot was in the laundry room for three days (!). She cannot pick
up a telephone and dial it; she's forgotten how. She wears the same clothes
every day because she's forgotten how to change and where her clothes are,
even though everything is labeled in her place. I think she may have
forgotten how to read (!).

She often waits on my doorstep or in the immediate vicinity, for me to come
home.

Since I am also taking care of a lot of other things right now, I guess I
want to know if you all think I should call her social worker?

Her brother(s) live out of state and her niece is very far away. She has a
list of numbers of people to call, but I really am thinking she needs to be
in some kind of a day-program at the very least, and there is one available
for Alzheimer's patients on a local level. . .(I know the folks that operate
it).

She is prone to wandering; police and friends have often brought her home,
but she doesn't like living here and wants to "go home," and no one can
exactly figure out where that is, because there's no one here to give us her
history.

Would someone please say a prayer for our neighbor? I won't give her name. .
..but God knows. . .and of course for me, to find wisdom in dealing with this
situation.

And of course, any practical advice would be most welcome,

Feather

Mare

2004-08-31, 7:14 pm

Hi Feather,
Sounds to me like she shouldn't be living alone especially if she
isn't taking her meds. After all she could go the other way and
take to many if she doesn't remember. Call her social worker and
her brother, she needs some help from those that can make
decisions for her.
--
Mare
mfcoleman@THEOLEmindspring.com
http://www.muggsmulcher.com/kstuff/a.s.a/intro.htm
alt.support.alzheimers' FAQs and Stuff Pages

"Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Hi, my name is Feather and I am writing from northern
California,
> (cross-posting this to alt.christnet.prayer)
>
> A few months ago, a really nice lady moved into our building.
She's young
> (in her fifties) and has early-onset Alzheimer's.
>
> Long story short, her brother told me that she should have been
on Aricept a
> long time ago (didn't define what long time ago meant), as she
would be
> doing better than she is now. . .
>
> . . .she visits me several times a day (I do work for our
church out of my
> home most days) with no clue as to what she is supposed to be
doing - often
> brings her calendar.
>
> I have helped with appointments, appointment reminders and with
her laundry
> which she forgot was in the laundry room for three days (!).
She cannot pick
> up a telephone and dial it; she's forgotten how. She wears the
same clothes
> every day because she's forgotten how to change and where her
clothes are,
> even though everything is labeled in her place. I think she may
have
> forgotten how to read (!).
>
> She often waits on my doorstep or in the immediate vicinity,
for me to come
> home.
>
> Since I am also taking care of a lot of other things right now,
I guess I
> want to know if you all think I should call her social worker?
>
> Her brother(s) live out of state and her niece is very far
away. She has a
> list of numbers of people to call, but I really am thinking she
needs to be
> in some kind of a day-program at the very least, and there is
one available
> for Alzheimer's patients on a local level. . .(I know the folks
that operate
> it).
>
> She is prone to wandering; police and friends have often
brought her home,
> but she doesn't like living here and wants to "go home," and no
one can
> exactly figure out where that is, because there's no one here
to give us her
> history.
>
> Would someone please say a prayer for our neighbor? I won't
give her name. .
> .but God knows. . .and of course for me, to find wisdom in
dealing with this
> situation.
>
> And of course, any practical advice would be most welcome,
>
> Feather
>
>

Evelyn Ruut

2004-08-31, 7:14 pm

I was going to reply and say the same thing Mare did, so I am just going to
add my endorsement to her posting below.
--
Regards,
Evelyn

(to reply to me personally, remove 'sox")
"Mare" <nono@nanette.com> wrote in message
news:Ny2Zc.6895$JT3.5617@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> Hi Feather,
> Sounds to me like she shouldn't be living alone especially if she
> isn't taking her meds. After all she could go the other way and
> take to many if she doesn't remember. Call her social worker and
> her brother, she needs some help from those that can make
> decisions for her.
> --
> Mare
> mfcoleman@THEOLEmindspring.com
> http://www.muggsmulcher.com/kstuff/a.s.a/intro.htm
> alt.support.alzheimers' FAQs and Stuff Pages
>
> "Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
> news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> California,
> She's young
> on Aricept a
> would be
> church out of my
> doing - often
> her laundry
> She cannot pick
> same clothes
> clothes are,
> have
> for me to come
> I guess I
> away. She has a
> needs to be
> one available
> that operate
> brought her home,
> one can
> to give us her
> give her name. .
> dealing with this
>
>
>

Mary Gordon

2004-08-31, 10:11 pm

Call her family, and if they don't immediately step in, call her
social worker. Just from what you describe, this woman is not capable
of adequately looking after herself and needs support and supervision
24/7. She is in real danger.

Don't agonize over this. Your gut is talking to you. She needs help,
and should not be living alone. This is no different than a neglected
child - if you saw a child who clearly was lost and alone, dirty and
confused, you wouldn't hesitate. Heaven knows what she is eating.

This may look like an adult, and have the vestiges of an adults
personality and some capabilities, but this is a vunerable frightened
person in need of a sheltered environment because she is being
dismantled by a disease that causes progressive brain damage. If she
is trouble now, things will only be worse next week.

Mary G.

Gwen Love

2004-08-31, 10:11 pm

Call her social worker ASAP is my advice. She should not be living alone.
Gwen

"Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Hi, my name is Feather and I am writing from northern California,
> (cross-posting this to alt.christnet.prayer)
>
> A few months ago, a really nice lady moved into our building. She's young
> (in her fifties) and has early-onset Alzheimer's.
>
> Long story short, her brother told me that she should have been on Aricept
a
> long time ago (didn't define what long time ago meant), as she would be
> doing better than she is now. . .
>
> . . .she visits me several times a day (I do work for our church out of my
> home most days) with no clue as to what she is supposed to be doing -
often
> brings her calendar.
>
> I have helped with appointments, appointment reminders and with her
laundry
> which she forgot was in the laundry room for three days (!). She cannot
pick
> up a telephone and dial it; she's forgotten how. She wears the same
clothes
> every day because she's forgotten how to change and where her clothes are,
> even though everything is labeled in her place. I think she may have
> forgotten how to read (!).
>
> She often waits on my doorstep or in the immediate vicinity, for me to
come
> home.
>
> Since I am also taking care of a lot of other things right now, I guess I
> want to know if you all think I should call her social worker?
>
> Her brother(s) live out of state and her niece is very far away. She has a
> list of numbers of people to call, but I really am thinking she needs to
be
> in some kind of a day-program at the very least, and there is one
available
> for Alzheimer's patients on a local level. . .(I know the folks that
operate
> it).
>
> She is prone to wandering; police and friends have often brought her home,
> but she doesn't like living here and wants to "go home," and no one can
> exactly figure out where that is, because there's no one here to give us
her
> history.
>
> Would someone please say a prayer for our neighbor? I won't give her name.
..
> .but God knows. . .and of course for me, to find wisdom in dealing with
this
> situation.
>
> And of course, any practical advice would be most welcome,
>
> Feather
>
>

HeLovesYou

2004-08-31, 10:11 pm

"Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Hi, my name is Feather and I am writing from northern California,
> (cross-posting this to alt.christnet.prayer)
>
> A few months ago, a really nice lady moved into our building. She's young
> (in her fifties) and has early-onset Alzheimer's.
>
> Long story short, her brother told me that she should have been on Aricept
a
> long time ago (didn't define what long time ago meant), as she would be
> doing better than she is now. . .
>
> . . .she visits me several times a day (I do work for our church out of my
> home most days) with no clue as to what she is supposed to be doing -
often
> brings her calendar.
>
> I have helped with appointments, appointment reminders and with her
laundry
> which she forgot was in the laundry room for three days (!). She cannot
pick
> up a telephone and dial it; she's forgotten how. She wears the same
clothes
> every day because she's forgotten how to change and where her clothes are,
> even though everything is labeled in her place. I think she may have
> forgotten how to read (!).
>
> She often waits on my doorstep or in the immediate vicinity, for me to
come
> home.
>
> Since I am also taking care of a lot of other things right now, I guess I
> want to know if you all think I should call her social worker?
>
> Her brother(s) live out of state and her niece is very far away. She has a
> list of numbers of people to call, but I really am thinking she needs to
be
> in some kind of a day-program at the very least, and there is one
available
> for Alzheimer's patients on a local level. . .(I know the folks that
operate
> it).
>
> She is prone to wandering; police and friends have often brought her home,
> but she doesn't like living here and wants to "go home," and no one can
> exactly figure out where that is, because there's no one here to give us
her
> history.
>
> Would someone please say a prayer for our neighbor? I won't give her name.
..
> .but God knows. . .and of course for me, to find wisdom in dealing with
this
> situation.
>
> And of course, any practical advice would be most welcome,
>
> Feather
>
>

Lifted this individual and the situation up in Jesus name.

Glenfiddich

2004-08-31, 10:11 pm

On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:29:42 GMT, "Feather Forestwalker"
<feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote:

>Hi, my name is Feather and I am writing from northern California,
>(cross-posting this to alt.christnet.prayer)

Prayer certainly won't hurt, but your neighbor
needs practical help right NOW.

>A few months ago, a really nice lady moved into our building. She's young
>(in her fifties) and has early-onset Alzheimer's.

What the others already said...

Plus, make a list of her behaviors before calling her family;
they may not know or believe how bad the disease has now gotten.
That's not uncommon...

Do for this poor woman what you would for an abandoned child;
she clearly needs someone to look after her since, as you have
seen, she simply is not able to cope with a normal life alone.

Eileen

2004-09-01, 7:10 am

"> Hi, my name is Feather and I am writing from northern California,
> (cross-posting this to alt.christnet.prayer)
>
> A few months ago, a really nice lady moved into our building. She's young
> (in her fifties) and has early-onset Alzheimer's.
>
> Long story short, her brother told me that she should have been on Aricept
a
> long time ago (didn't define what long time ago meant), as she would be
> doing better than she is now. . .
>
> . . .she visits me several times a day (I do work for our church out of my
> home most days) with no clue as to what she is supposed to be doing -
often
> brings her calendar.
>
> I have helped with appointments, appointment reminders and with her
laundry
> which she forgot was in the laundry room for three days (!). She cannot
pick
> up a telephone and dial it; she's forgotten how. She wears the same
clothes
> every day because she's forgotten how to change and where her clothes are,
> even though everything is labeled in her place. I think she may have
> forgotten how to read (!).
>
> She often waits on my doorstep or in the immediate vicinity, for me to
come
> home.
>
> Since I am also taking care of a lot of other things right now, I guess I
> want to know if you all think I should call her social worker?
>
> Her brother(s) live out of state and her niece is very far away. She has a
> list of numbers of people to call, but I really am thinking she needs to
be
> in some kind of a day-program at the very least, and there is one
available
> for Alzheimer's patients on a local level. . .(I know the folks that
operate
> it).
>
> She is prone to wandering; police and friends have often brought her home,
> but she doesn't like living here and wants to "go home," and no one can
> exactly figure out where that is, because there's no one here to give us
her
> history.
>
> Would someone please say a prayer for our neighbor? I won't give her name.
..
> .but God knows. . .and of course for me, to find wisdom in dealing with
this[vbcol=seagreen]
> situation.
>
> And of course, any practical advice would be most welcome,
>
> Feather
>
Feather, I agree with the others, that this lady needs proper care and
attention. Many people who suffer with "Alzheimer's" can remember things
that happened years and years ago and some even think they are still
children, this is the reason why she "Wants to go home" she is probably
referring to her childhood home and may even think her parents are still
alive. They do often wander too, and this is where the danger lays and why
they need to have someone caring for them.

I shall be praying for this lady too and ask the Lord to keep her safe and
to bring her the care she so desperately needs. In Jesus name.

God Bless you Feather

In the Lord
-Eileen-
<<<<<<<<

Gwen Love

2004-09-01, 10:12 pm

Dennis, maybe you don't believe in prayer, but many of us do. You really
have a nerve telling that person not to post to the prayer group again,
IMHO. I agree with most of your posts, but not that.
Gwen

"Dennis P. Harris" <NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net> wrote in message
news:jaiaj09l2buhiar0p4n0f1f0qslnbvisr4@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:29:42 GMT in alt.support.alzheimers,
> "Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>
> she needs Adult Protective Services far worse than she needs
> prayer, and PLEASE don't cross post to that prayer group again!
>
> Look in your phone book for Adult Protective Services under your
> state department of health. Call them. If she has no family
> nearby, they will take care of her. Given the symptoms you have
> outlined, she should NOT be living alone.
>
>

Adelle D. Stavis, Esq.

2004-09-01, 10:12 pm

Crossposting is considered poor netiquette. And praying, particularly in a
specific religious belief, is clearly OT and should be labeled so.

And on a personal level, I get really offended when prayer is offered
publically for an individual that one doesn't know personally, and it's done
in Jesus' name. And you know why. It is just plain narrowminded to assume
somebody is Christian. In this case, the poster didn't mention whether the
family said she was Christian.

If you know the person is Christian, fine. But to me, praying to Jesus is
polythesitic, and is against my religion. Other religions believe the same.

So please keep Jesus in the Christian newsgroups and don't crosspost.

--
Adelle

"Evelyn Ruut" <mama-lionsox@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:xmrZc.112342$4h7.16535363@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> (another top post....)
>
> I think you may be right. The only time we have problems in this group is
> when messages are cross posted.
> --
> Regards,
> Evelyn
>
> (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox")
> "elizabeth emerald" <nospamplease@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:2pmu2aFmcb7gU1@uni-berlin.de...
to[vbcol=seagreen]
> don't
> really
again,[vbcol=seagreen]
>
>

Songbird

2004-09-02, 2:10 am

"Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Would someone please say a prayer for our neighbor? I won't give her name.
..
> .but God knows. . .and of course for me, to find wisdom in dealing with
this
> situation.
>
> And of course, any practical advice would be most welcome,
>
> Feather
>
I have found that God usually works through people He puts in our paths --
and in this case, that means YOU! Call her brother, call her social worker,
call Adult Protective Services, call her pastor, call anyone and everyone
until someone steps in. She needs more supervision than she has now and
definitely should not be living alone.

She is fortunate to have a friend like you who has been willing to help her.
Don't stop now. Literally, your phone call could save her life.

Songbird

Feather Forestwalker

2004-09-03, 10:08 pm

"Mare" <nono@nanette.com> wrote in message
news:Ny2Zc.6895$JT3.5617@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> Hi Feather,
> Sounds to me like she shouldn't be living alone especially if she
> isn't taking her meds. After all she could go the other way and
> take to many if she doesn't remember. Call her social worker and
> her brother, she needs some help from those that can make
> decisions for her.
> --
> Mare
> mfcoleman@THEOLEmindspring.com
> http://www.muggsmulcher.com/kstuff/a.s.a/intro.htm
> alt.support.alzheimers' FAQs and Stuff Pages

Thanks, Mare!

Turns out that I have been hired to help care for her, so I will be giving
her the meds twice a day. . .

I wasn't sure if the message made it through and then I had some glitches in
the server locally. . .but we're back.

Thanks again for your answer,

Feather
>
> "Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
> news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> California,
> She's young
> on Aricept a
> would be
> church out of my
> doing - often
> her laundry
> She cannot pick
> same clothes
> clothes are,
> have
> for me to come
> I guess I
> away. She has a
> needs to be
> one available
> that operate
> brought her home,
> one can
> to give us her
> give her name. .
> dealing with this
>
>
>

Feather Forestwalker

2004-09-03, 10:08 pm

"Gwen Love" <cglghl@knology.net> wrote in message
news:tD4Zc.40499$5s3.34700@fe40.usenetserver.com...
> Call her social worker ASAP is my advice. She should not be living alone.
> Gwen
>

Thanks Gwen, that's exactly what I did.

Feather

> "Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
> news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
young[vbcol=seagreen]
Aricept[vbcol=seagreen]
> a
my[vbcol=seagreen]
> often
> laundry
> pick
> clothes
are,[vbcol=seagreen]
> come
I[vbcol=seagreen]
a[vbcol=seagreen]
> be
> available
> operate
home,[vbcol=seagreen]
> her
name.[vbcol=seagreen]
> .
> this
>
>
>

Feather Forestwalker

2004-09-03, 10:08 pm

"HeLovesYou" <menothere@ndak.net> wrote in message
news:10j9m0sm14esg14@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
> news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
young[vbcol=seagreen]
Aricept[vbcol=seagreen]
> a
my[vbcol=seagreen]
> often
> laundry
> pick
> clothes
are,[vbcol=seagreen]
> come
I[vbcol=seagreen]
a[vbcol=seagreen]
> be
> available
> operate
home,[vbcol=seagreen]
> her
name.[vbcol=seagreen]
> .
> this
>
> Lifted this individual and the situation up in Jesus name.
>

Thanks, Faye!

Feather Forestwalker

2004-09-03, 10:08 pm

"Dennis P. Harris" <NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net> wrote in message
news:jaiaj09l2buhiar0p4n0f1f0qslnbvisr4@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:29:42 GMT in alt.support.alzheimers,
> "Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>
> she needs Adult Protective Services far worse than she needs
> prayer, and PLEASE don't cross post to that prayer group again!

OOPS sorry, and I did call APS.

>
> Look in your phone book for Adult Protective Services under your
> state department of health.

Nope, they are in the County section.

> Call them. If she has no family
> nearby, they will take care of her. Given the symptoms you have
> outlined, she should NOT be living alone.

OK, thank you

Feather
>
>

Feather Forestwalker

2004-10-04, 2:14 am

"Songbird" <song2871@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ch5p9u$ao8i$1@news3.infoave.net...
>
> "Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
> news:qX%Yc.3599$w%6.3107@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
name.[vbcol=seagreen]
> .
> this
> I have found that God usually works through people He puts in our paths --
> and in this case, that means YOU! Call her brother, call her social
worker,
> call Adult Protective Services, call her pastor, call anyone and everyone
> until someone steps in. She needs more supervision than she has now and
> definitely should not be living alone.
>
> She is fortunate to have a friend like you who has been willing to help
her.
> Don't stop now. Literally, your phone call could save her life.
>
> Songbird

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.

Here we are, almost one month later.

Our friend has been taken on a trip by her family to the bay area of San
Francisco for a little R&R and tomorrow we have a caregiver/family meeting.
On Saturday, they are having a special luncheon for all her friends, so that
we can coordinate efforts at getting her friends, on a rotating basis, to
come and spend time with her - one friend takes one day, another, another
day, and so on. This will help keep her living as independantly as possible,
without putting her in a nursing home. (The nursing home options are rather
limited in our area, especially for AD wanderers like she is).

I have been hired to take her for six hours, twice a week, to the local
daycare program. She has enjoyed it immensely; as long as I am with her. I
will also be in charge of her medications, twice a day, seven days a week -
morning and evening - as the other caregiver involved has had to quit due to
time constraints.

Our friend is an "easy" person to care for. While there have been several
instances of agitation on her part, it's been very easy for me to calm her
down. Something between us as friends just sort of "clicked" and she really
enjoys being around me.

One day we were out walking along a two-mile stretch of old logging road -
when I decided to try some word associations with her, to see what she would
do.

I said, "What do you think of when you hear the word 'cat.'" And she said,
"Cat. MIOW." *LOL*

I said, "What do you think of when you hear the word 'dog.'" And she said,
"Dog."

THEN I said, "What do you think of when you hear to word 'bird,' " and she
responded by grabbing my arm and saying, "Ohhhh, that's all about YOU." (I
am sort of known as "bird lady" around here and how she knew that, I have no
idea, unless she used to read my articles when I worked for a friend of hers
as an editorial and production assistant and regular columnist for a local
paper - and she may have remembered that in some vague place in her memory?)

She and I, it turns out, know a lot of the same people, but we had never
met. One of the ladies that we mutually know, she absolutely *adores* and
loves spending time with her when she has some time.

I am learning a lot about this insidious disease, and am very grateful for
the support of the local Alzheimer's Day Care Program and their lending
library. The internet has a lot of very useful information, but it's easier
to lie back at night in bed and read. . .I've read Lenore Powell's book and
am currently working on one by Shent, called "The Forgetting." It's been a
rather enlightening experience.

Eleanor Cooney, a local resident here, wrote a book called "Death In Slow
Motion," about her mother's descent into Alzheimer's, and one can feel the
absolute sense of helpless anger she went through. Every time I see her in
the store, I want to grab her arm, pull her aside, and say, "Elly, thanks
for writing that book with such honesty. . ." but someone else usually grabs
my attention before I can stop to talk to her. I guess I will have to e-mail
her. . .

At any rate, everyone, God bless you all, and thanks again for your
interest. This is the last cross-post on this subject into the prayer
group - I am sorry if I offended anyone in so posting last month.

Feather
>
>

Amazing Grace

2004-10-04, 2:14 am

"Feather Forestwalker" <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:wG27d.14297$gG4.5066@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "Songbird" <song2871@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:ch5p9u$ao8i$1@news3.infoave.net...
> name.
> worker,
> her.
>
>
> Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.
>
> Here we are, almost one month later.
>
> Our friend has been taken on a trip by her family to the bay area of San
> Francisco for a little R&R and tomorrow we have a caregiver/family
> meeting.
> On Saturday, they are having a special luncheon for all her friends, so
> that
> we can coordinate efforts at getting her friends, on a rotating basis, to
> come and spend time with her - one friend takes one day, another, another
> day, and so on. This will help keep her living as independantly as
> possible,
> without putting her in a nursing home. (The nursing home options are
> rather
> limited in our area, especially for AD wanderers like she is).
>
> I have been hired to take her for six hours, twice a week, to the local
> daycare program. She has enjoyed it immensely; as long as I am with her. I
> will also be in charge of her medications, twice a day, seven days a
> week -
> morning and evening - as the other caregiver involved has had to quit due
> to
> time constraints.
>
> Our friend is an "easy" person to care for. While there have been several
> instances of agitation on her part, it's been very easy for me to calm her
> down. Something between us as friends just sort of "clicked" and she
> really
> enjoys being around me.
>
> One day we were out walking along a two-mile stretch of old logging road -
> when I decided to try some word associations with her, to see what she
> would
> do.
>
> I said, "What do you think of when you hear the word 'cat.'" And she said,
> "Cat. MIOW." *LOL*
>
> I said, "What do you think of when you hear the word 'dog.'" And she said,
> "Dog."
>
> THEN I said, "What do you think of when you hear to word 'bird,' " and she
> responded by grabbing my arm and saying, "Ohhhh, that's all about YOU." (I
> am sort of known as "bird lady" around here and how she knew that, I have
> no
> idea, unless she used to read my articles when I worked for a friend of
> hers
> as an editorial and production assistant and regular columnist for a local
> paper - and she may have remembered that in some vague place in her
> memory?)
>
> She and I, it turns out, know a lot of the same people, but we had never
> met. One of the ladies that we mutually know, she absolutely *adores* and
> loves spending time with her when she has some time.
>
> I am learning a lot about this insidious disease, and am very grateful for
> the support of the local Alzheimer's Day Care Program and their lending
> library. The internet has a lot of very useful information, but it's
> easier
> to lie back at night in bed and read. . .I've read Lenore Powell's book
> and
> am currently working on one by Shent, called "The Forgetting." It's been a
> rather enlightening experience.
>
> Eleanor Cooney, a local resident here, wrote a book called "Death In Slow
> Motion," about her mother's descent into Alzheimer's, and one can feel the
> absolute sense of helpless anger she went through. Every time I see her in
> the store, I want to grab her arm, pull her aside, and say, "Elly, thanks
> for writing that book with such honesty. . ." but someone else usually
> grabs
> my attention before I can stop to talk to her. I guess I will have to
> e-mail
> her. . .
>
> At any rate, everyone, God bless you all, and thanks again for your
> interest. This is the last cross-post on this subject into the prayer
> group - I am sorry if I offended anyone in so posting last month.
>
> Feather

Please continue to give us updates on your friend. We will continue to pray
for her. God Bless,
Grace

Feather Forestwalker

2004-10-27, 7:10 pm

Glenfiddich wrote:

> On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:29:42 GMT, "Feather Forestwalker"
> <feather@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Prayer certainly won't hurt, but your neighbor
> needs practical help right NOW.

Yes, she did, and currently has two caregivers; myself and one other,
and is very closely monitored by the APS here, whom I report to
regularly when things don't seem to be going right.

Of course, as with all AD patients, this woman has good days and bad,
and sometimes a combination of the two, several times in a day. *whew*

>
>
>
>
>
> What the others already said...
>
> Plus, make a list of her behaviors before calling her family;
> they may not know or believe how bad the disease has now gotten.
> That's not uncommon...

I tend to wonder, as whenever they do visit, she *seems* normal to them.
Of course, it's when they leave that she's knocking on my door several
times a minute, seeking solace. . .the family and friends are working on
getting a live-in for her, to "keep her living free and independant as
long as possible" (their words). (An element of hopeful denial, I suppose).

>
> Do for this poor woman what you would for an abandoned child;
> she clearly needs someone to look after her since, as you have
> seen, she simply is not able to cope with a normal life alone.

Too true! I have finally gotten her enrolled in the local Alzheimer's
Day Program twice per week. Some days she's fine with it, other days
she's not, and I *have* to be there with her or she'll become combative
and/or leave in agitation.

Thanks for your input; and sorry for taking so long to respond.

Feather

TRAVAIL@AOL.COM

2004-10-30, 11:07 am

hi everyone

I cannot thank enough all the participants to this NG you are doing a great
job.
One question regarding adult protective services.
My father is suffering from some form of dementia
and he seems to fit the stage 5 of AD better in some areas
and worse in others.
There is no way that I can force him to get evaluated,he keeps
his yearly doctor appointments(he just went to one last week)
to check his condition regarding diabetes and hypertension and
although the doctor was told orally and in witting of my observations
regarding dementia he refuses to acknowledge officially my father"s
condition.
The doctor did order him to get a blood and urine test but he is not going
this
could perhaps be an opening to put some pressure on doc ?
Doc told me that there was nothing he could do himself and that I have to
take him myself to the hospital which I emphasize is physically impossible.
My question is could the APS help in this case and how ?
my father cannot balance his checkbook anymore can hardly cook
leaves the gas on calls operator 5 times a day to find out what day it is
so on and so on with the symptoms we all know to well.
in short cannot be self sufficient for a period over 2 days.
TIA for any feedback my wife and I are at our wits end.
By the way tricks to take him ANYWHERE new do not work

EILEEN

Tumbleweed

2004-10-30, 7:09 pm

<TRAVAIL@AOL.COM> wrote in message
news:naSdnZtc9_yHLh7cRVn-uQ@giganews.com...
> hi everyone
>
> I cannot thank enough all the participants to this NG you are doing a
> great
> job.
> One question regarding adult protective services.
> My father is suffering from some form of dementia
> and he seems to fit the stage 5 of AD better in some areas
> and worse in others.
> There is no way that I can force him to get evaluated,he keeps
> his yearly doctor appointments(he just went to one last week)
> to check his condition regarding diabetes and hypertension and
> although the doctor was told orally and in witting of my observations
> regarding dementia he refuses to acknowledge officially my father"s
> condition.
> The doctor did order him to get a blood and urine test but he is not going
> this
> could perhaps be an opening to put some pressure on doc ?
> Doc told me that there was nothing he could do himself and that I have to
> take him myself to the hospital which I emphasize is physically
> impossible.
> My question is could the APS help in this case and how ?
> my father cannot balance his checkbook anymore can hardly cook
> leaves the gas on calls operator 5 times a day to find out what day it is
> so on and so on with the symptoms we all know to well.
> in short cannot be self sufficient for a period over 2 days.
> TIA for any feedback my wife and I are at our wits end.
> By the way tricks to take him ANYWHERE new do not work
>
> EILEEN

In a way this is probably the toughest stage to deal with, when the symptoms
are really bad but the sufferer refuses to acknowledge there is a problem or
accept help and is aware enough to be able to refuse it. We had to trick my
father into hospital for an extended (several week) check which lead to him
going into care but we had the backup of doctors ,so that lack of backup is
in a way your issue.

I dont know if you can 'scare' the doctor into taking acrion, perhaps by
writing to him (copied to another medical authority?) pointing out the
danger that your father is to himself, hence perhaps putting more pressure
on him to conduct tests because he might be liable if he doesnt??
But it sounds like your father might need to get worse if he is going to
refuse tests anyway.

What help does he get at the moment?

--
Tumbleweed

email replies not necessary but to contact use;
tumbleweednews at hotmail dot com

Tumbleweed

2004-11-02, 11:13 am

TRAVAIL@AOL.COM

2004-11-02, 11:13 am