my mother has stage 5 alzheimer's...learn with me...

[Foxfyre]

Hubby's mom didn't want much water either, but she would drink Crystal Lite, especially the lemonade flavor. We hauled cases of it to the nursing home. It might be worth a try. It would keep her hydrated without causing sugar overload.

 

[strollingbones]

i will try that....i will try anything....something may work...kidlet and da man are back at work....they seem to enjoy the bit of peace....i am not crying every 10 minutes..hell i make it for hours now....o i am not shaking i still got this skin thing going.....bad....real bad...i havent been to the dermo for nearly 10 months...she is gonna be going all over me....i should have gone in feb

 

[strollingbones]

and the odd things you find when suddenly you invade someones life...

all the paperwork..amazing....things i simply cant figure out and i am not sure i really want too...

 

[saveliberty]

Hubby's mom didn't want much water either, but she would drink Crystal Lite, especially the lemonade flavor. We hauled cases of it to the nursing home. It might be worth a try. It would keep her hydrated without causing sugar overload.

I drink Crystal Lite in the summer. The stuff tastes good when you drink it, but there's a weird after taste even a couple of hours later. Still, I like using that versus diet pop or water.

 

[saveliberty]

and the odd things you find when suddenly you invade someones life...

all the paperwork..amazing....things i simply cant figure out and i am not sure i really want too...

Forget the paperwork...melt her ice cube trays and find the diamonds!

 

[Foxfyre]

Hubby's mom didn't want much water either, but she would drink Crystal Lite, especially the lemonade flavor. We hauled cases of it to the nursing home. It might be worth a try. It would keep her hydrated without causing sugar overload.

I drink Crystal Lite in the summer. The stuff tastes good when you drink it, but there's a weird after taste even a couple of hours later. Still, I like using that versus diet pop or water.

No wierd after taste for me but I guess everybody is different. We serve it to our senior citizens group at their monthly luncheon at the church though and it is definitely the most popular beverage being preferred over iced tea, hot tea, water, and coffee.

 

[strollingbones]

we are going shopping today...this just doesnt go well.....they are too short...too long...too dull...too loud.....but she needs clothes for the family reunion.....the poor guardian ad litum (sp) is trying to meet with her today.....but we are in and out most of the day...i called to try to give him a heads up....

you know people think people with dementia dont have health problems from it...they do....

 

[Foxfyre]

we are going shopping today...this just doesnt go well.....they are too short...too long...too dull...too loud.....but she needs clothes for the family reunion.....the poor guardian ad litum (sp) is trying to meet with her today.....but we are in and out most of the day...i called to try to give him a heads up....

you know people think people with dementia dont have health problems from it...they do....

Yes, Alzheimers is believed to affect much more than just the brain. I know you probably have seen all this Hellbitch, but for those who haven't had to deal with it yet, just some of the stuff that is frequently seen in Alzheimer's patients:

Slowly their memory will worsen, short term memory first and then long term memory - memory will come and go at first--they wil recognize somebody at one moment and then not at all an hour later, etc.
Shuffling of the feet.
Stooped posture.
Wandering which can include getting 'lost' and sheer panic.
Choking as the brain begins to lose ability to communicate with motor skills.
Anger Outburst which can include physical striking out at strangers, caregivers, loved ones.
Periods of being agitated if anybody is around.
Paranoia. The person with Alzheimer's will think perhaps that one of their family members is stealing something in their home or they may have given something to someone and call them a thief. They are paranoid of strangers and family alike which can cause the caregiver in the family and other family members great pain.
Insomnia
Swearing.
Loss of language skills including agitation when they want to communicate and are unable to find the words to do so.
High blood pressure.
Cholesterol problems.
Depression.
Adverse drug reactions
Nutritional difficulties
Eating disorders (to the point of dehydration and/or Anorexia)
Hypothyroidism

All this puts a great deal of pressure on the Caregiver and loved ones, and more especially when some of those do not accept the diagnosis and prognosis as valid.

Hellbitch I think you are handling it appropriately, however, in your willingness to express and share your frustrations and feelings here. As long as you get it out and don't hold all the stressful stuff inside, that plus finding your sense of humor now and then along with a little help from your friends will see you through.

 

[saveliberty]

Is it really a family reunion, if you don't remember the relatives? Sounds more like a church pot luck or Beano ad. Good opportunity to test out some flavored waters on Mom? Just go to somebody else's reunion. You can meet some new people, avoid the Aunts adn Uncles and Mom won't have to feel bad about not knowing anyone. Win-win.

 

[strollingbones]

okay i meet with the lawyer...she is very nice and took time to listen...course at those rates...she can afford to take her time....lol....tomorrow is the first hearing..where they expect me to be appointed the interium guardian....her lawyer meet with her today....

my cousin called and demanded to speak to my mother while my mother was out with my son...then lost it with the staff...they are making such a good impression on the staff...accused them of not letting mom talk to anyone blah blah blah....

totally insane.....i dont know how i escaped this damned insanity of her family but i did...and i have decided that i must not let them yank me around anymore....its over....stick a fork in me i am done...
i will protect my mother from this craziness too...

i think she mostly wants to go decorate the graves and see her childhood friend...they went to high school together...so they have known each other for 65 years...i cant help but want her to see everyone she can see while she knows them....

yea i know the stuff that is gonna happen...i see it happening...she is like a wind up doll...going strong in the morning.....then just slowing down and getting confused....i see the coughing and the choking....i know what is happening...i know she will 'forget' how to swallow... i know that most die of pnemonia from inhaling liquids and food particles. i know then i will have to decide...a feeding tube or let my mom starve....i know all this ....and as much as i know it....when i hear or read it....it just hits me...a viseral feeling.....and the tears come....

 

[strollingbones]

i think she wont drink water cause she is beginning to have a bit of incontinence....she denies it..but i wash her clothes and see the stains....the not drinking water is not helping the kidneys nor the headaches....i forgot the damned cystal lite.... i will find it tomorrow...

yall realize my life is falling apart...my hubby missed a dental appt....i didnt remind him...i forgot totally....i am so focused on my mom that i have really neglected everyone else....they are trying to go to wv this weekend and climb....son is wanting to stay with me...but i want him to go and relax....hubby needs to relax ..its fathers day...they need the time together...my house is a total wreck...i just get paralized sometimes and do nothing but stare at the wall....i swear....i find myself....missing time

i got a mal load of stuff to do tomorrow....ahhhhhhhhh i got to get bonded....i love this mal.....bonded

 

[Baruch Menachem]

It is sort of good you got us, (not me anyway) to talk to.

But get on the phone and talk to some girlfriends about your favorite movie star. (don't talk mom) Spend your time looking at the original superman movie with Christopher Reeve. But mentally get away from it all for a while. Make sure your hubby gets some nookie.

Agatha Christie blamed her break down (mental as well as marriage) on having to deal with similar issues with her mom. the perpetual digging through masses of confused and contradictory paperwork, the squirreling away of important papers, the midden of a long and energetic life. Don't let this become 24-7 on you.

 

[Foxfyre]

i think she wont drink water cause she is beginning to have a bit of incontinence....she denies it..but i wash her clothes and see the stains....the not drinking water is not helping the kidneys nor the headaches....i forgot the damned cystal lite.... i will find it tomorrow...

yall realize my life is falling apart...my hubby missed a dental appt....i didnt remind him...i forgot totally....i am so focused on my mom that i have really neglected everyone else....they are trying to go to wv this weekend and climb....son is wanting to stay with me...but i want him to go and relax....hubby needs to relax ..its fathers day...they need the time together...my house is a total wreck...i just get paralized sometimes and do nothing but stare at the wall....i swear....i find myself....missing time

i got a mal load of stuff to do tomorrow....ahhhhhhhhh i got to get bonded....i love this mal.....bonded

This one bothered me enough to butt in HB. You simply cannot carry this all by yourself. You do need some help.

Have you been in touch with this organization in your area? If not check out their website. There might be a support group close to you. If so, it could be your life line. At any rate, it can't hurt to check it out.

Alzheimer's Association - Find Us Anywhere

 

[strollingbones]

they meet the first thursday of the month.... i will be in court then at the kidney specialist...i know you cant do this 24/7 and i am lucky....i can afford help...but you know that is just another can of worms....aids....and lets face it..we are only on ....6 weeks....so i am still sorting stuff out and trying to make sense of a lot of things...

i never knew what my mothers total worth was.....stuff like that....now i have to figure it out...

 

[kurtsprincess]

HB ... thank you for sharing your experiences.....both my parents died young so I was spared the agony of watching them fade .... I used to be angry about losing them, but after watching my friends I feel guilty sometimes for feeling relieved that I was spared.

I know you are struggling with the feeding tube and I just wanted to say that my stepdaughter had a massive stroke while undergoing brain surgery when she was 10 .... she lost the ability to talk and swallow because of that stroke...she's been on a feeding tube for the last 16 years....and she is Downs Syndrome so she has comprehension level of around 5 year old .... however, the difference between her and someone with alz's is that she will remember from day to day, minute to minute, that she is on the tube. My friend's mom fought the feeding every single time because she could not remember why people wanted to lift up her blouse and open the port and put the tube in....and she thought she was being starved to death because no one would let her eat for fear of choking.....it was stressful for all ..... my heart goes out to you ....

 

[saveliberty]

At most family reunions you hear the same tired old stories over and over. If you go to someone esle's they listen better, because its new and they are trying to figure out where you fit in the family. It really isn't crashing either, Imean you don't lnow your entire family tree right? You COULD be related.

Take along some Dove Bars. Then when everyone says, I love these things, you can say, see we are related. Who is going to turn down a long lost relative who brings Dove Bars? Bring beer as a back up plan.

Who says you can't pick your relatives?

Your mourning the loss of the Mom you knew. Now you just hold on to the one you have left. Lawyer the Hell at of the relatives tomorrow.

 

[strollingbones]

we ran out of toilet paper this morning.....*hangs head* da man told me if they started with me...to tell them they need to call their lawyer....its just such a mess...but da man pointed out...we are on a long road....do it now and have it done and over with......2 calls already this am....and running outta toliet paper.....why me?

and kurts i understand how you feel...my father died about in 82....now back to the stuff i need to be doing.....you cant just sit and dread the day....o hell yea you can

 

[saveliberty]

Straighten up or I'll come out there and get guardianship over YOU. Forgot the toilet paper ? Geez, open and shut case there. Your Honor, I present the exhibit A the empty roll. It is just three aisles over from Dove Bars. We could chalk it up to forgetfulness, but the Defendent also didn't get the Crystal Lite.

Your husband is probably secretly glad to miss the Denist appointment. Missing the toilet paper though. Got any trees near the bathroom window?

 

[JimH52]

I am so sorry. This is such a cruel disease. I have known several people that have had to deal with it. God Bless

 

[strollingbones]

Straighten up or I'll come out there and get guardianship over YOU. Forgot the toilet paper ? Geez, open and shut case there. Your Honor, I present the exhibit A the empty roll. It is just three aisles over from Dove Bars. We could chalk it up to forgetfulness, but the Defendent also didn't get the Crystal Lite.

Your husband is probably secretly glad to miss the Denist appointment. Missing the toilet paper though. Got any trees near the bathroom window?

i would love to go back to my slacker life.....i got him a dental appt the next day and reminded him to go.....i am trying to keep up with a social life....i had guests for dinner the other night....well alt and her man...arent really guests...poor alt..she is kinda caught up in all this....being my friend....i mean she gets a phone call from me...tuesday.....i ask what her plans are...she starts to talk and i go...forget that mal....i need you to do..and rattle off the long list of my needs...she was here in about 30 minutes...