My mother 74yrs old has Alz, kidney disease, w/ hypertension she also remembers very well on certain days But extremely terrible on other days " She is driving me Crazy" this has only gotten worse in 2009 how can I get her to focus more , so she can do her daily chores. She forgets everything She takes no meds for it " Alz" Help How Can I Help Her..
- Introduction
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
-
Caregiving
- Coping with Emotional Changes
- Coping with Memory Loss
- Costs and Insurance
- Creating a Daily Routine
- Exercise
- Health and Wellbeing of the Caregiver
- Home Safety Adjustments
- Mental Exercises
- Respite Care
- Talking to Children about Alzheimer's
- Talking to Friends about Alzheimer's
- Telling Someone They Have Alzheimer's
- Transition to Assisted Living
- Transition to Nursing Home
- Work
- Related Conditions
- Resources
Q: My mother 74yrs has alzeihemiers also kidney disease w/ hypertension How? can i help her FOCUS ...
Answers (4)
2/13/10 9:53am
Hi Rick10
First you need to take her and her problems to her doctor to see if there is anything he/she can suggest that will help her.
Each of the diseases she suffers from can affect her memory and ability to carry out tasks (called executive functioning-planning, organizing, problem solving). If her doctor can improve her kidney function (one of the effects is often hypertension) then her mental state might improve. There are drugs that can help with Alzheimer's disease too.
I suggest you can support what skills she does have by offering her as structured a day as possible. Dorian Martin has written a great sharepost about Dealing with Disorientation by Using a Reminder Board . That you might find helps your mother and you. This sharepost on Caregiving skills in moderate mid stage Alzheimer's may also be helpful.
Because Alzheimer's is a progressive degenerative neurological disease you will find that your mother's abilities, and her memory, will decrease. This will increase her confusion and will, I am sorry to say, mean that she will rely on your care more and more. Always remember- she cannot help it. She is not doing things to annoy you.
She will find her decreasing abilities frightening and it will increase her anxiety at times. Kindness and understanding will be your greatest gifts to her but caregiving will test you. You may need to get support to cope too.
Keep in touch with the other caregivers through this site. We will all try to support you. Get in touch with your local Alzheimer's Association. Support groups and learning from others will help you a lot.
All my best wishes to you
Christine
2/13/10 12:15pm
Hi Rick,
Everything Christine said was spot on, as always. I would like to add that you can call your local Alzheimer's organization - just check your phone book. They can give you practical tips and local support.
Good luck. You aren't the only caregiver who feels like he is "going crazy." Keep coming back for support.
Carol
2/15/10 12:34pm
Hi, Rick,
I agree with both responses above. I would also suggest that as a caregiver, you're going to need to start adjusting your expectations of your mom. As the Alzheimer's progresses, her abilities are going to decrease. And unfortunately this disease isn't totally linear, so she'll seem more mentally "with it" on some days, but not during others.
I'd suggest that you start thinking about how you can simplify chores and activities for your mom. I've written a blog when I was going through a similar situation that may be helpful.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
2/15/10 3:19pm
Hi Rick,
The answers here are all excellent. However, you didn't say how she is cared for. Do you go to her home everyday to help out? Is there anyone in her home? Since she may not remember well on some days, someone should be there with her. Maybe a part-time caregiver from the home care service can come. She may have to pay for some of the service. Or find some family member or friends to help her out everyday. You cannot expect her to do it by herself anymore. At least set it up so she will get help. Do this gradually. In my father-in-law's case, the caregiver started from 1 to 4 hours per day and gradually it has become 24 hours now so we need to find an assisted living home for him this year.
Take care,
Nina
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
By Rick10— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 02/13/10
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you Christine..you have been very helpful May God Bless you and your Family