Families With Alzheimers

Our Family, Your Family & Alzheimer's Disease

IN OUR WEB SITE

Alzheimer's Disease is an enemy that too many families fight every day.  Our family has been living with this disease for 6 years and counting and we count our blessings for the lessons we've learned, the families we've met and love that we share. Welcome to our web site.  We hope that you and your family find answers to questions and solutions to problems.  Thanks for visiting and best wishes.

HOME Ask Aunt Annie has advice on living with Alzheimer's and being a caregiver The Ask Annie Archive has answers and practical caregiving tips. The Buddy Plan pairs caregivers for one-on-one friendships with people who have been there. Read about nursing homes and how to make a safe transition for your loved one. Read about coming home from a nursing home and how to plan to bring your loved one home. Check out some of the nutrients, vitamins and supplements that we have tried and what to ask your medical team. Read about where to find resources and how to decide what you need. Read about Alzheimer's Disease and its stages in normal people-talk. Read about the warning signs for Alzheimer's Disease. How your family can live with Alzheimer's Disease. How our family has lived with Alzheimer's Disease. How home health care professionals can help your family live with Alzheimer's Disease at home.

ASK ANNIE Advice for Caregivers & Families

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that impairs the victim's ability to perform functions of daily living and reduces cognitive and communication skills.   That's a medical-ese way of saying that it turns a wonderful, vibrant person into a snarling, moody adult baby.  The disease can span 20 years or can only last 8 years.  There is a 3-stage model and a 7-stage model that are currently accepted but they follow the same general principle.   The first stage includes mild symptoms that may be mistakenly attributed to depression or other causes.  The second stage is marked by more pronounced problems with congitive abilities and communication skills and may also include violent behavioral changes.  The third stage can last up to ten years and is characterized by a loss in the ability to provide even the most basic personal needs.  The victim may be rendered incontinent of bowel and bladder and may no even be able to feed themselves.

THE DISEASE

Warning Signs

Prevention

Normally family members will be the first to notice the early stages, particularly a spouse.  It is important to seek medical advice immediately in order to begin to halt the progress of the disease.      Some symptoms include:      Changes in communication, language and abilities related to daily living.      Pronounced forgetfullness and associated anxiety may be warning signs that the disease is present.

The most important thing seems to be able to catch the symptoms early and to act aggressively to halt them.  Several pharmaceudicals are now available as well as herbal products.     Brain scans are a wonderful tool that can help a patient and their medical advisor assess the damage to the brain and create an effective strategy to stop the progress of the disease.     Concussions and head injuries have been shown to hasten the onset  of this disease and should be avoided with care.