Information and opinions on Alzheimer's from j at OurAlzheimers.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964 http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964 http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/94230/god-driving Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:31:36 -0500 j My Mom is currently in the hospital and my visitation is limited to 1 hour in the afternoon and 1 hour in the evening.  The last few days I have met a wife and her two sons who are visiting their husband/father in the same unit.  We have talked and shared our experiences as caregivers.   Their loved one has just been diagnosed in the early stages of dimentia and I can see and hear the uncertainty and... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/94230/god-driving http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/93972/nightmare Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:51:09 -0500 j This is such a difficult time but I am trying to hold it together for Mom.  Last week I had to take my Mom via ambulance to an emergency room until a geropsychiatric bed became available at one of the local hospitals (8 hours waiting in the ER).  The director and head RN of the facility Mom has been living in the last 2 months have stated that my Mother is a safety risk to herself and to the other residents and it is absolutely... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/93972/nightmare http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/90952/caring Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:38:54 -0400 j Years ago I ran across this quote when I was taking care of a friend with cancer.    I re-read this often and find comfort in these words.  I wanted to share it with other caregivers.    "Jesus asks you to love these men who are unhappy, poor, ill...He asks you to offer them friendship, tender care, as persons, not simply as cases to be attended to.  You will often be unable to relieve their sufferings,... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/90952/caring http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/88500/consuming Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:37:20 -0400 j As many of you know, I moved my Mom into a Catholic skilled nursing facility because of continuous lack of appropriate care and safety concerns at the previous facility.  The first week my Mom was doing much better with the transition than I had expected.  I felt comfortable and began to trust the staff at this skilled nursing facility............well, until yesterday.   I walked in mid-afternoon and Mom was out of her... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/88500/consuming http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/88218/stepping-back Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:41:35 -0400 j A week ago today I moved my Mom to a Catholic skilled nursing facility.  Some of you may have read my previous posts and this move was appropriate and necessary at this time for my Mother.  I knew moving Mom would be difficult and the transition would take some time.  What I didn't realize was how difficult it would be for me to take some steps back now and allow the staff at this home to gain my Mother's trust and take care of... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/88218/stepping-back http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/86359/power-words Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:43:27 -0400 j It has been quite some now since I believe my Mom really understands that I am her daughter.  I do believe I am someone she knows will visit her daily (unless I am out of town).  I feel she is comfortable and feels safe with me and knows I will help her with daily living tasks, show her patience, kindness and unconditional love.  Mom still tries to have conversations and express herself but mostly her words come out garbled... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/86359/power-words http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/86193/time-change Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:58:23 -0400 j I am moving my Mom into a skilled nursing facility in two weeks.  The last two years Mom has been living in an Intermediate Care Facility and has progressed with her disease significantly.  After experiencing many, many issues, some very serious with safety and medication administration, I feel it is no longer an option for my Mom to remain living at the present facility.  I have talked numerous times with the Director and... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/86193/time-change http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/83554/hotlined-state Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:33:22 -0400 j One of my sisters (a social worker) hotlined the State in regard to the nursing home where my Mother lives. We have already talked to the acting Director of this facility, the nursing director several times and manager of the Alzhemer's/dimentia unit but continue to get "yes, we understand" and issues continue to develop almost on a daily basis. I would have called the State myself but I am terrified of retaliation with staff at this facility.... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/83554/hotlined-state http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/83019/enough-enough Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:51:42 -0400 j I spend sometimes upwards of 6 hours per day with my Mom who is living in a nursing home on the alzheimer's/dimentia unit.  I am one of 6 siblings and have had almost no support or help from any of them.  Oh yes, everyone has their opinions and finds reasons to blame me for everything, complain about the costs of Mom's care and the home she is living in, demand that Mom is taken off of prescription medications they don't agree with and... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/83019/enough-enough http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/82288/day-remember Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:39:20 -0400 j Yesterday morning I went to visit Mom and as I walked down the hall where I could see her she spotted me and quickly put her hands over her eyes with a big grin on her face wanting to see if I could find her.  As I got closer to her I could see she was peeking through her fingers at me and she started to giggle.  She was playing "peek-a-boo" with me and I wanted to continue with the fun.  I asked one the caretakers sitting next to... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/937964/82288/day-remember