This week, as Mom enters a new stage of Alzheimer's, I decided to start a blog. I will keep editing and refining each post, adding photos I find, links to videos I have shot, etc. Right now, she's trying low does of Ativan, and it seems to be working to prevent anxiety attacks.
http://whendoesthegladstart.blogspot.com/2010/01/so-so-day-but-we-went-out.html
I watched your film clip on Youtube. What a great idea for both of you
Christine
I started using photography when i got a digital camera, with the specific focus of showing mom that she had people and friends who still admired her and enjoyed her company. She'd been insulted by one of my sisters for so many years, Mom had become a hermit. Sister said (bragged almost) that Mom had not had a shower in 7 months when I arrived. So this ploy really worked, photos worked, and after a timely application of Zoloft (whew), Mom became involved in life again.
The camera had video, so started making little films, slowly climbing up the gadget ladder to make more complex videos. See the "One Love" video, where I mashed footage and audio of Mom and my singer niece Wendy with exact style...into the song by the Playing for Change people. If you saw all the footage of Mom, you'd think, this is impossible, won't work. No focus. I instructed Wendy that she would have to PULL Mom through this song, and even if we only got Mom clapping, it would be enough. We did that song in one take, begging the man next door to stop with the power saw for fifteen minutes.
My husband has Alzheimer's, five years have now gone buy with advanced stages of the desease. I would say the onset started at least three or four years before a real diagnosis. I am the sole caregiver and don't know what other avenue there is. His son has nothing to do with it and encouraged him to move out of the state we lived in while life was changing. I to cannot work or even leave the house even leaving the room creates a sudden panic attack. My husband is on Seroquel, Namenda and Something which I think really helps called Divalproex (Sprinkles) We all need help. Why is this not addressed as other diseases, many have so much more help than help with Alzheiers. Thank you and we all need help!! Betty
Am in same boat, cept Mom has 12 hours week senior day care, and 12-hrs week respite caregiver...most of that time I do errands, noisy house work, etc. Perhaps time for a cup of coffee and read newspaper.
Mom was on seroquel after hospitalization for digestive troubles (probably light gerd, helped with Prilosec) and delusional/combative/fainting behavior. The latter was Alz. confusion and she couldn't make sense of her physical symptoms, then couldn't make sense of her own reactions, so shut down. Anyway, they Rx'd Seroque, which did for awhile knock back the delusional behavior (and then having no triggers to start behavior as her digstion improved). HOWEVER, after a few weeks, the low dose of Seroquel had bad side effects of "Seroquel Anger," almost rigor mortis like muscle cramps, choking, and facial contortions with sticking out tongue. Gee that was a great decision. The first warning you will see on Seroquel, even on the TV ads is NOT FOR USE WITH ELDERLY DEMENTIA PATIENTS.
Hope you can find some resources to help you. I am grateful for what I have, and do have a sister who is genuine in her helpfulness, even if 6 years into it. The other two are deadbeats. I don't understand how they can look themselves in the mirror. Maybe they don't have mirrors.
agingcare.com has lots of threads on this issue, some with many dozens of posts. You'll learn a lot reading them.
Thank you for your information. My husband is 81 and in rather good physical condition. He has been on Seroquel for about 5 years. No side affects that I or the doctors can tell. They are so very surprised what we do. Now not every day is a good day unless I say we need to go shopping. Then you would not know there is a problem. I have learned that I can't buck the problems. He does NOT wander we go out to eat 2 to 3 times a week. Always go shopping. I found 3 years ago that he did NOT want to go anywhere. That was awful, then I discovered If I said "Oh I know you don't feel well, I will be back in just half an hour. So you stay in bed so you feel better. Then it turned to Oh I will go and even today going to church he will say how awful he feels and I say the same thing My response is I know and that's why you stay home and I will be back shortly, Again Oh I will go I feel better. etc. Had problems with the keys to the car. That was awful. I found giving him a set of keys, now they are not important. That is a bit of what I have learned I try never to try and control the situation, just agree with the problem and it dis arms the anxiety. Thank you
Bets
I cannot legally leave mom at home alone. I almost legally cannot leave her ALONE at all, by her side at all times. The only authorized people who can look after Mom are the respite caregiver or the staff at the senior day care center. The Public Guardian sez so. If I can't take Mom with me, we don't go out.
If your husband is a Vet, you might look into their caregiver funding program. Heard it's a lot of paperwork but well worth it if you can make it work for you.
You probably won't get many suggestions here, but www.agingcare.com has many similar threads, with dozens of comments.
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CJ, Nice little blog and an attractive web page! Simple things like going out to view the wildlife and feed the animals are great ways to share some time with Mom. Seeing her find pleasure in these things has to warm your heart. I'm glad to read that the new drug is helping. It's a challenge to get the doseage zeroed in, but when it's right, it's beautiful! Keep the faith! -- Joe
I have video programs (edited, yet) about my activities with Mom, including birdwatching, at http://www.youtube.com/CarolJWright and http://www.youtube.com/AlzheimersCaregiver.
I no longer have the time (really the sustained time and focus power needed to edit video programs) to edit my footage and photographs, but I shoot constantly. Someday, I'll get through more of them.
Thanks for reading my blog. The Ativan is working nicely, even notice more cognition, better reading skills, more actual blissful moments. (Maybe I'll try it myself!!) Wouldn't it be nice if Mom had a guage on her forehead with a "you'll be sorry if I don't get a pill NOW" marking?
I love the forehead marking idea! We should have them like thermometers.
LOL!
Carol