Many of you already know me as Sandysgingham. I’ve been an Ebay and Etsy Seller for more than a decade. My life as an at-home seller made it possible for me to care for my Mom at home without loss of income. Well, without loss of a little bit of my income. Mom was determined to come to my sewing room and help me and– She was not one to take No for answer. (Before or after Alzheimer’s.)
Once my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, our life was filled with sorrow and grief so that I thought none of us would ever smile again. I was wrong, and for the few years before my mom’s passing there were many happy and joyous moments that I will never forget. I hope you enjoy hearing a few of these stories about My Mom. Some are sad and some confusing but a lot of them are just down right funny. I learned about strength and fortitude and humor through the sadness of this disease and it took all of them to help me survive the journey with my mom. I believe, with a little knowledge about Alzheimers after the diagnosis the long road backwards isn’t nearly as bumpy for the patient or the caregiver.
My hope for this blog is to share the process, share some of the things that happen during this long journey backwards before our loved one is lost to us altogether. The more you know, the easier it is to cope. And really, that’s all you can do during this time in your life — find the best way to cope and keep caring.
- I’m not a physician or authority about this medical condition. I offer no medical advice. I speak only of my own experiences and my reaction to them, which may be completely different than yours.
- I’m not an attorney and offer no legal advice. I do mention some of the issues that I faced while handling my mom’s finances, though that doesn’t mean you will face those same issues or solve issues in the same way. Your financial situation is your own and best shared with an Elder Attorney who specializes in the finances of the elderly and Alzheimer’s patients.
- On the Resource Links list, I’ve added links to many free services as well as fee-based services. The Yellow Pages in your own city is a good starting point also. Many Services are available for Elder Care and all the problems and issues they face.
- A phone call to the Alzheimer’s Association (1.800.272.3900) is a plus as well. They are quick to offer names and phone numbers of services in your area; Medicare, Alzheimer’s Support Groups, Meals on Wheels and many others.
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My Goal with ~ 
My goal is to help others with Alzheimer’s or their family members with questions about the symptoms and stages and behaviors of their loved one with Alzheimer’s. When my mom first began to change, I believed it was “old age,” she was nearing 80. I did not want to believe that it might be Alzheimers and denied all the symptoms for a long time. This is a fairly common anomaly.
And, if you’re here because it’s happening to your loved one, I must warn you; some part of you, some inner fear will struggle to keep you deep in denial for as long as possible. It may be many months before you accept the awful truth. Your spouse, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or other loved one….is losing their mind.
Alzheimer’s patients are good at disguising their symptoms, pretending they remember when clearly they do not. Later, they no longer understand the diagnosis or even know what the word means, they only struggle to be normal and their struggle can fool you occasionally.
Once you accept the diagnosis, read all you can about the disease; know the Seven Stages of Alzheimers, the Symptoms of Alzheimers, the Behaviors of the Alzheimer’s patient. It was easier for me, as my Mom’s caregiver, to know what would happen next, what was normal behavior and what I need mention to Mom’s physician. There are medications for Alzheimer’s patients. Your loved one’s physician knows them best and will make those recommendations. It isn’t always the same for every Alzheimer’s sufferer.
If you’re the caregiver, take care of yourself emotionally and physically. If you aren’t well, you will be little help for your patient. I hope my information here will be of help also.
Best wishes
~Sandy
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