Parents with dementia, how dealing with that has gone.

[2manyrocks]

I think the brain rewires itself to find a working connection.

 

[ning]

I think the brain rewires itself to find a working connection.

eventually, yes - assuming

• it's being challenged to do so (sensory stimulus, cognitive requirements)
• there's nothing blocking it from doing so (plaques, dead tissue)

 

[dodge man]

The difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s? My dad had dementia, when he got bad he more or less just babbled. He maybe just had brief moments of clarity. My name is David and one of the last times I said goodbye he said “goodbye Davey”, so he did know who I was.

My mom had Alzheimer’s, near the end she could talk very clearly, my sister asked how she was, she very clearly said “I’m fine”. My sister said “Dave’s here”, she said “hi David” all in a very clear voice. There was just no interaction from her otherwise, just sitting there with her eyes closed.

Both of them went through a period of time where they were difficult to deal with, combative and such. Eventually they go downhill enough that ends. Very sad diseases.

 

[WinterDeere]

The difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Dementia is just a general term that describes the chronic confusion many older folks experience. It can have many causes, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease.

If your father's symptoms were were very different than Alzheimer's, he likely had one of the several other diseases (Huntingdon's, Parkinson's, Creutzfeltd's, etc.), or one of several vascular problems that can lead to the same symptoms.

 

[dodge man]

Dementia is just a general term that describes the chronic confusion many older folks experience. It can have many causes, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease.

If your father's symptoms were were very different than Alzheimer's, he likely had one of the several other diseases (Huntingdon's, Parkinson's, Creutzfeltd's, etc.), or one of several vascular problems that can lead to the same symptoms.

He had Lewy Body.

 

[WinterDeere]

My mother is presently showing a lot of signs of dimentia, mostly just forgetting every conversation and frequently repeating herself. If a conversation goes on more than 5 - 10 minutes, you can pretty much count on her looping back to the first topic and then repeating most of the conversation.

Trouble is, she's also losing her hearing, and she's not good about wearing her hearing aids, and tries to pretend her hearing isn't so bad. This makes it very difficult to determine whether you're seeing a memory problem or denial of a hearing problem, when she acts surprised to be hearing something you've already told her more than once.

So far, it's not interfering with her ability to do things and get around on her own, but it is driving her husband to frustration. Thankfully, he has the patience of a saint.

 

[ArlyA]

We buried my mother in law today and the farther in law is descending and weakening who of course has dementia as well. Will write more about it when home.

 

[check 6]

My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over three years ago, I cared for her until our doctor and our daughter said dad you can’t keep this up, she has been in a care facility for 16 plus month. She still knows me but little else . She can’t remember the kids most of the time. She will just sit and stare . She can take of herself with help but can no longer carry on a conversation she can still read but has no idea what she has read even immediately after she has read it her memory is basically gone but she still has her smile and that keeps me going it is a cruel disease as I’m losing a bit of my best friend every day and helpless to do anything other than hug her. I get wet eyed and very time I say goodbye. We have had 57 years together and I knew her for a total of 5 days when I proposed …. And she accepted
Sorry for the ramble

 

[kenmbz]

our condolences Arly, even though you know it's soon, it still is very emotional.

 

[ArlyA]

My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over three years ago, I cared for her until our doctor and our daughter said dad you can’t keep this up, she has been in a care facility for 16 plus month. She still knows me but little else . She can’t remember the kids most of the time. She will just sit and stare . She can take of herself with help but can no longer carry on a conversation she can still read but has no idea what she has read even immediately after she has read it her memory is basically gone but she still has her smile and that keeps me going it is a cruel disease as I’m losing a bit of my best friend every day and helpless to do anything other than hug her. I get wet eyed and very time I say goodbye. We have had 57 years together and I knew her for a total of 5 days when I proposed …. And she accepted
Sorry for the ramble

This thread is for anyone dealing with dementia, experiences, questions or otherwise. It's good to read about other peoples dealings with this terrible disease.