The results from my latest poll on Alzheimer’s Notes indicates that a wide majority of  people would write about their experiences as an Alzheimer’s caregiver for a family member.  Eighty-six percent responded that they would; no one said no; no one voted that they’d write if it could be done anonymously; Fourteen percent were undecided.
More caregivers and family members have become more open about this disease as it affects a family member or close friend.  They are willing to share and to seek information.  More resources have become available.
Why write?  I think my next poll will ask some questions on this …read more

My mom reached out from her wheel chair and touched the peach fuzz hair of the toddler playing with the brake handle of her wheel chair.  Little Alex looked up at Great Grandma and grinned.  She smiled, too, and I marveled at this communication that seemed to pass between the two.
As Alex began to form words and Mothers’ became more mumbled utterances than clear syllables, they made sounds together. 
“Gramma talk to me,” Alex would say.
“What did she say?” I’d ask.
“Dunno,” he replied.  “Gramma talk to me.”
There apparently was a type of communication between the older lady with Alzheimer’s and the little boy.  …read more

As Mother succumbed further into the world of Alzheimer’s disease, she often thought a strange woman lived in her house.  This is typical of many Alzheimer’s patients.
“Who’s that woman in my house?” Mother asked one morning.
I inquired, “What woman?”
“That strange woman in the mirror,” she answered.
When I still seemed puzzled, she tugged at my hand and led me into the bathroom.  “See,” she said, “that woman.”
Mother was pointing at her reflection in the mirror over the sink.
“That’s you,” I replied.
“No, it isn’t,” she insisted.  “There’s a strange woman here.”
I had to lead her from the bathroom and divert her attention …read more