I think my mother has Dementia. She is also legally blind. This combination is tough but she will be very bad for a while then have a week or two of clarity. It does not seem to get any better or worse. She is very stubborn a has always been controlling and not very nice to me. She lives next door and I have her care mostly under control. I just wonder if there is any way without medical testing to know what it really is? She is 87, but honestly....I might go before her!
"Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Symptoms of Alzheimer's, including early-onset Alzheimer's, include problems with memory, judgement, and thinking,..........but there is no cure for this form of dementia."
the last part is the most sobering, and hits like a kick to the stomach. it is true, that no one really knows until death and autopsy if done. my mother has had 5 different diagnoses. nph, alz, stroke, lbd, vascular dementia. it is probably a little of each.
i feel that with all the research that i have done during and over three years of being with her 24/7, i know as much as they do. what i do know is that the best thing for her is love, patience, and creating the best enviroment that works for her and me. in other words, i have to be part of her world, because as time passes she gets further from mine.
she takes one pill for her blood pressure, the side effects of other drugs we tried were worse than what it was treating. lewy body drugs can be dangerous for alz. patients, it goes on and on. diet is a big factor, too much sodium and too much sugar always triggered anxiety and behavior problems. people and surroundings needed to be controlled, my brother for example, who she wants to see also sets her off, so i watch for the signals and send him away when it is time. the bottom line, listen to what people have to say, try things knowing it may or may not work or will change suddenly, do what is best for her and don't forget to make sure you take care of yourself.
God bless you richly
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