Alzheimer's with grandma

HI people,

I just wanted to share a bit of my experience with people who have had alzheimer's. My grandma had it, and she lived with us. Over the course of about 7-10 years it kept getting worse. At the end, she was mute and bedridden. Before she got so bad she used to argue with me and my parents about everything. She despised me though, since I lived in the room right across from her. She told me I was stealing from her, when later the stuff was found in her closet and she denied it being there. It's very difficult to work with an alzheimer's person, especially when they're not on medication for it. My grandma would throw away her medications. Mum and I found them in the trash. Right before she died she was in a nursing home. Then one night at about 2am they called telling us that her lips were turning blue and a lot of other things - and they asked what to do about it. Mum said "get her to the ER now!".

We got there soon after. She was in horrible shape. I cried for her. Mum went to work at about 7am while they were still waiting for a "room" to put grandma in. Dad and I left too. Then mum gets a call at work saying that grandma died. She died in ER waiting for a room. She had many illnesses, but what I heard about how she died was that her lungs filled up with phlem because she didn't know to cough.

When my great aunt died, she went downhill FAST. Once while she was still able to get up, she ran away and her son had to go find her. She would also smoke cigarettes and when she was done she'd throw them in the trashcan, not the ashtray. What got her down was falling down the steps and breaking her hip. From then on, she was bedridden too. When we went to see her, the doctor said she was brain dead and would go anytime. When my cousin got the call that his mum died, he cried, balling! I'm so glad he got it out. I'm glad we were there for him. He almost passed out a few times. I cried with him and hugged him and told him that it will soon pass and be easier on the mind. (I recently lost a dog, so I know how bad it feels to lose something or someone you love).

Please know this - when a loved one gets alzheimers, they need the love and support more than ever. I wish there was a cure for alzheimer's.

Well I hope I've helped someone by my story. I know it's a sad thing to go through with a loved one, but remember when they die that they're not suffering anymore, especially if they know the Lord.

Take care guys,
Rock Of Ages

Hi,

I've noticed that yiou're new here and are posting about a lot of different issues. That's good, and it shows a genuine willingness to get help. You seem very open too, and this is the perfect setting to be open in. With Alzheimer's, there's a lot of research funds going into finding a cure for it. i'm actuaslly in an area now that can contribute to finding a cure. Anyway, I currently have a relative with it too but - you know what- I look upon it positively. Sure, there are MANY negatives about it, but the relative seems to be in her own world and - I must admit - happier than she was before she had Alzheimer's. Before she had it, death was always on her mind, but now she is in her own world and genuinely seems happy.

The way that your relative died wasn't nice, but there is no 'perfect' way to make the transition from life to death, to be honest. So, try not to focus on that too much.

Take care,
Kevin

Chucky wrote:Hi,

I've noticed that yiou're new here and are posting about a lot of different issues. That's good, and it shows a genuine willingness to get help. You seem very open too, and this is the perfect setting to be open in. With Alzheimer's, there's a lot of research funds going into finding a cure for it. i'm actuaslly in an area now that can contribute to finding a cure. Anyway, I currently have a relative with it too but - you know what- I look upon it positively. Sure, there are MANY negatives about it, but the relative seems to be in her own world and - I must admit - happier than she was before she had Alzheimer's. Before she had it, death was always on her mind, but now she is in her own world and genuinely seems happy.

The way that your relative died wasn't nice, but there is no 'perfect' way to make the transition from life to death, to be honest. So, try not to focus on that too much.

Take care,
Kevin

I appreciate your kind words, thank you Kevin.

About me posting alot about different subjects - the reason is that I've used different forums for years now and they're sort-of laid out all the same. I have a lot going on in my mind, and I like to post about what I'm thinking. And yes I am new, to this forum. I have been to christian forums, just all kinds of them. I like to type and write my thoughts and/or opinions on a variety of subjects. Please don't label me a spammer and ban me. I just want to fit in. I thought I could have a lot of luck here with people who have disorders because they're more open minded here.

That's fine, joe, I understand. I get the feeling that you were a little bit excited when you came here and desperately wanted to make some new connections. Well, you've connected with me now, and I notice that you've also been talking to Butterfly Faerie. I see no reason at all why you should be banned. You are as innocent as any other member here currently is. There's a certain sense of innocence about you, in fact, but this can be a bad thing in some situations. If you are too innocent (or 'naive'), then people will sometimes take advantage of you. So, be aware of that Joe.

Take care,
Kevin

Hey! i'm glad you shared your experiences. I want to share a little bit with you too.. Well in my case my grandpa has Alzheimer's disease. He's far away from me, because im in México and he's on Bristal (it's a clinic on the US). I'm pretty sure that he's very happy there, but sometimes I miss him so much.. But well.. when I'm kind of sad i just try to remember that he's making friends and having fun there.
Grettings, Kimberly.

My uncle had alzheimers. He died almost two years ago. It was very tough for us because a lot of times he would try to flush towels, or he would actually try to escape the house. We realized how bad it had gotten for him when his wife, my aunt, asked him to go buy bread over at the store that was just down the street from where they lived, and he got lost. I also remember that one time, he wanted to buy some candy for himself. The thing was, he had diabetes as well, and he wasn't supposed to eat candy. And he had forgotten that he was a diabetic.

it's a scary thing watching a loved one just deteriorate like that. Especially when you know that when they were young, they were very strong and fit.