For the duration of my adult life, I have only known two adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD). I mean, I've known several people along the way, who went to my church or played bingo where I played, but I've only known two people really well.
Diseases of the mind fascinate me. It's so odd and random and logical and illogical how the mind picks up a bit, omits a bit and re-routes other bits. Its like a bunch of handshakes, some of which go unmet.
The first Alzheimer's victim I really knew was a good friend's mother whom I had known off and on for my entire life. I spent more time with her during her final years, as she was in a nursing home and I don't live far from the home. This dear woman, whom we shall call Mary, spent hour after hour watching traffic in front of the nursing home. She was looking for wrong-doers (people who parked in the lot, got out of their cars, gathered their things, walked through the front doors or left). Oftentimes, when I went to see her, she had her wheelchair perched in front of the glass doors and I would pull up a chair and look for wrong-doers too. Depending on my mood, I'd sometimes humor her and other times go against the grain.
"That woman is getting into that car right there. The brown one." To which I'd respond, "Yes, she is. It's okay though. It seems to be her car." Mary had no response. Sometimes, it was like I wasn't even there as soon as the greeting ended. I'd even fuss with her hair and act like I'd never noticed her bracelet before, but I'd get no response. She'd have that look in her eyes and it was like someone else was driving her personal vehicle.
Sometimes, my mother, my friend, and Mary would be sitting in her room and she would be very animated as she talked about her deceased son, husband, and granddaughter, as though they were still alive. She was also living in her house (and not the nursing home), driving, buying groceries, and functioning
as though it were 20 years ago. Everyone else would just look at one another and let her talk.
The second person I knew with Alzheimer's is my grandmother. Now that she too is in a nursing home, her mind seems to be leaving her via AD. I never really thought much about her having this disease until today. I knew that she had it. I just hadn't thought much about it.
Article comments
1 - gallbladder
My uncle is diagnosed with alzheimer's and he has had similar experiences as well
2 - Ginae B. McDonald
I'm sorry to hear that and I appreciate your comment. Take care.
3 - Kathy Hatfield
My name is Kathy Hatfield and I am the full time caregiver for my eighty year-old Dad who has Alzheimer's and lives with me in North Carolina.
When my Mom died in 2004 and Dad moved in with me, I had no idea what to do. But day by day, I found ways to cope, and even enjoy having my Dad with me.
So I started writing a blog at www.KnowItAlz.com, which shows the "lighter" side of caring for someone with dementia.
After a while, I added over 100 pages of helpful information and tips for caregivers. We even have a Chat room so caregivers can communicate with each other from home.
Please pass this link along to anyone you feel would enjoy it.
Thanks!
Kathy
4 - michael
There was a news report today about a link between coffee and alzheimer's disease.
5 - Ginae
Aw nuts! I hope it's not a caffeine link! Thanks ya'll.
6 - Progeria
Hello, thanks for posting on Alzheimer's disease. My brother's son was born just a couple yrs back. He is now diagnosed with Alzheimers. It was truly devastating to know that such a little child could be affected by something so terrible. We were all gloomy all the time. But thank God, we found some good doctors and members of an organisation in my local town, who assured us that they will take good care of my nephew and make him as healthy and strong mentally as possible.