Dementia / Alzheimer Disease

Billy · 30-10-2006, 22:30

Has anyone every experienced first hand the effects of Dementia / Alzheimer's disease?

I just saw an inspiring / heart breaking story on this on ABC Four Corners.

Feel free to talk about your experiences with this.

Quote:

Each week more than a thousand Australians are delivered the cruel diagnosis: they have dementia - incurable, untreatable, terminal.
It kills slowly. Sufferers are left perplexed and helpless as it gnaws away at brain function, robbing them of simple memory and living skills. Loved ones watch it suck the vitality out of the feisty mother or wisecracking husband they once knew, leaving a shell behind.
Almost a century to the day* since Alzheimer’s disease was first documented, waves of dementia roll through the generations. About 200,000 Australians are sufferers now; by 2050 the number is expected to exceed 700,000. Within a decade, dementia will be Australia’s number one disability. The national dementia bill is now $6 billion a year and rising.
Daunting numbers show the big picture but miss the close-up. To gauge the deeply personal impact of this disease Four Corners follows three people with dementia, their partners and loved ones, over 12 months.
Morry, 73, a former electrician, was diagnosed three years ago. Early on when we meet him, he is lucid and can talk about his disease: "It’s like the brain dies off in bits and pieces." He sometimes forgets his grandchildren’s names, but his wife and family hope it will be years before he needs to go into care.
Joan, 75, a mother of four, is dependent on her husband Ken for feeding, toileting and bathing. "I can’t have a meaningful conversation with her," he says. "My mother is still alive but it’s not my mother," says her grieving daughter Lyn. Ken is fiercely independent and struggles to look after Joan at home. But the strain is taking a toll on him; the time has come for a hard decision about Joan’s future, and his own. "I’m just trying to face the reality of the situation."
Jack and Daphne are in their mid 80s and are celebrating 60 years of marriage. Daphne has advanced dementia and is in a nursing home. But Jack will be "with her to the end". He brings her freshly baked muffins, feeds her tenderly and wipes away her tears. Sometimes she doesn’t realise he is there. "You’re my lady and always have been," he whispers.
As cameras follow these sufferers, their carers and their families over a year, the dementia slowly tightens its grip. Morry, Joan and Daphne are slipping away, and their loved ones must confront the reality of their loss.
This program by Anne Connolly chronicles the undeniable sadness of the descent into dementia. But it is also testament to the power of enduring and unconditional love. "Journey of No Return" airs on Four Corners, 8.30 pm Monday 30 October, ABC TV.

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/conte...6/s1774375.htm

BeautUtes

Octiris · 30-10-2006, 22:41

I have a pair of friends whose spouses suffer the disease..... and they are my inspiration.....she give the most beautiful lessons me of love...
if....that she is one of the acid tests, that few are called on to him to live to the love....and pasasn the test... my respect for those who it obtains it and my love for which it attempt

Octiris · 30-10-2006, 22:53

I do not have heart to send them to home of old.........
I have been going them to visit....y is sad to see as many of them are forgotten by their relatives.....die single

TanUteGirl · 31-10-2006, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octiris

y is sad to see as many of them are forgotten by their relatives.....die single

So true Octiris, many are forgotten as the family members believe that as the sufferer no longer knows them, then they won't be missed. Sad, so sad.

It's a terribly cruel disease, but not for the patient, cruel for those who are left behind. Two aunts and an uncle have gone in this way and it is so hard to see the face that would normally light up at the sight of you just look straight through you.

I am frightened for my mum as she has some really "vague" days at the young age of 56, I'd be devestated if I had to go through that with her.

BeautUtes

Bravo Rachie · 31-10-2006, 10:11

Since the age of 7 my mum worked with dementia care patience in an elderly home, she has recherched and studyed dementia care for many years and its amazing the other qualitys they have even though memory has gone. Mum is one of the top dementia carers there is, and im trying to get her to write a book.
I'm lucky becasue i would see mum at work after school and visit all the oldies in the home, i learned how to deal with there diferent emotions, how to tell when their distressed (becasue many couldnt talk u read the body language) and you do pick up on their ways really quickley.
Even though memory had gone, they would still know me when i walked into the home and their faces would light up they would call me all different names, but amazingly they would remember me. I would take in my dog, chickens, sheep. they loved being around the animals, so i would also take in my pets. I then did voluntary work with them and loved it, although they sometimes get on your nerves u have to remember that many of them dont get visitors and are just left by their familys. but i loved walking into the dememtia wing and they would all want a hug, just to feel close to someone, and hold your hand as u walk down the passage to the lounge or their rooms.
The bad thing is, most would slowley loose bowl and bladder functions, the ability to talk, there were hearing impared and sight impared, some who had in the past used drugs wich lead to an early onset of dementia and brainfunctions wernt normal resulting in mood swings, but u still have to respect them, and not let them think they are any less of a person. Thats where alot of people go wrong, and dementia care patience read body language better than fully physically and mentaly able people. its all bout the RESPECT

Peta23 · 31-10-2006, 10:36

my great grandma went this like. she cant remember any of her own children or her grandchildren but she could remember my brother's name because it was her husband's name. her face would light up every time when someone told her that sam (my brother) was coming to visit.
She lived until 102 and died 3 days before her 103rd birthday

Octiris · 31-10-2006, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by TanUteGirl

So true Octiris, many are forgotten as the family members believe that as the sufferer no longer knows them, then they won't be missed. Sad, so sad.

It's a terribly cruel disease, but not for the patient, cruel for those who are left behind. Two aunts and an uncle have gone in this way and it is so hard to see the face that would normally light up at the sight of you just look straight through you.

I am frightened for my mum as she has some really "vague" days at the young age of 56, I'd be devestated if I had to go through that with her.

I am going to give three exercises to you simple but effective to maintain lucidity and thinking active the brain
1:crossword puzzle

2:chess

3:memory game

they are simple games and they can seem single for jente without office, or very intellectual......
when in fact its function is to develop and to maintain in good operation both hemisphere of the brain.
it practices it of at least one of these games of daily way, nonsingle maintains our brain active, if not that it allows to clean and to oxygenate to a spirit for another labor day
MI LOVE crossword puzzle!!!!

IC BIATCH 69 · 01-11-2006, 17:08

My father has dementia .And yes it is very sad to watch them fade away. this debillatating incurable illness is the biggest thief on the suffers life . My father has his good days but then other days he doesn't know anyone , My father was a truck driver for many years and he was as strong as an ox but now he can not even get out of bed unaided .

BeautUtes

Octiris · 02-11-2006, 00:05

the man who puts under his brain..IT IS a mental cotidianidad... buying his cOUPON to live clinically in the mental limb..... knows that these mental exercises, are due to begin from my early age... is for that reason that to the children from its stage pre- student is educated to them with educative games, diDACTIC.....
it is possible to remember that when the man enters the age "they interesante"(In Venezuela we called interesting age, nonold, sounds contemptuous and contemptuous, when old WE CALLED them, it is so that we want them to hurt....si we are talking with which already I reach the 80, the say affectionately grandparents)
re- taking the principle from the IDEA, when the man arrives itself at "the interesting" age has tendency to back down in the time....se feels like a boy with new toy, yet... affective relation, reached profits, draws up to new goals....DREAMS with new conquests.
but to be able to arrive at that age with such lucidity....no avanze in the life must break the thread of the childhood during his....IT MUST to conserve variety and mental quality....
tRASLATION: if a person spends day after day the 7 days of the week, sitting as opposed to DESK,OFFICE working single with nuMBERS....HE IT WILL BE final result great explosIon mental before the 50....
simply because it did not have variety and MENTAL mental quality....."ESCAPE"...... MENTAL "cREATIVITY".....Is THE ONE THAT HAD IN ITS..BUT CHILDHOOD... BY the UPS AND DOWNS OF the LIFE.. ABANDONMENT..."ERROR"
The MAN MUST HAVE a JOBI....en WHERE HE FEELS THAT To TASTE and PLEASURE, THESE JOBIS ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE TO DO WITH the ART, that IS IN WHERE SHAPE ITS.tales IDEAS... LIKE the CARPENTRY, the CLAY SCULPTURES Or MUD, TO PAINT, TO PLAY, TO TRANSFORM the MATERIALS OF REMAINDERS INTO a GREAT WORK OF ART.....o TO WRITE a BOOK, AMONG OTHERS..... A SINGLE TIME HIS OF TOTAL TO PLEASE, IS WHAT IT ALLOWS the MAN TO ARRIVE WITH The HEALTHY MIND At The OLDNESS....
OHHH OCTIRIS!!!! BUT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN A DETAIL....SMALL, BUT DETAIL To the AIM.....AND IS THAT MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFADTHER, MY GRANDPARENTS And MY FATHER THEY HAVE The SAME DISEASE. NO, THERE AM..BUT FORGOTTEN... PLEASES TO ME TO INFORM TO THEM THAT MANY OF THOSE SUPPOSED INHERITANCES ARE BY PREPARATION
I EXPLAIN MYSELF... if To a BOY WHOSE BEFORO LAST SUFFER OF Such-and-such AILMENT, IT IS SAID to HIM..... ALREADY YOU THESE TOLERATING LIKE THE CRAZY PERSON OF YOUR FATHER!!!..... 100 To 1! THAT THAT BOY Before... IT WILL HAVE The SAME AILMENT, And UNTIL WITH MORE SEVERE SYMPTOM....

30-10-2006, 22:41	#2 (permalink)
Octiris Status: Hardcore Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Valencia, Venezuela Posts: 2,335 Rep Power: 6	Re: Dementia / Alzheimer Disease I have a pair of friends whose spouses suffer the disease..... and they are my inspiration.....she give the most beautiful lessons me of love... if....that she is one of the acid tests, that few are called on to him to live to the love....and pasasn the test... my respect for those who it obtains it and my love for which it attempt

30-10-2006, 22:53	#3 (permalink)
Octiris Status: Hardcore Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Valencia, Venezuela Posts: 2,335 Rep Power: 6	Re: Dementia / Alzheimer Disease I do not have heart to send them to home of old......... I have been going them to visit....y is sad to see as many of them are forgotten by their relatives.....die single

31-10-2006, 10:11	#5 (permalink)
Bravo Rachie Status: Hardcore Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Heathcote Posts: 2,315 Rep Power: 6	Re: Dementia / Alzheimer Disease Since the age of 7 my mum worked with dementia care patience in an elderly home, she has recherched and studyed dementia care for many years and its amazing the other qualitys they have even though memory has gone. Mum is one of the top dementia carers there is, and im trying to get her to write a book. I'm lucky becasue i would see mum at work after school and visit all the oldies in the home, i learned how to deal with there diferent emotions, how to tell when their distressed (becasue many couldnt talk u read the body language) and you do pick up on their ways really quickley. Even though memory had gone, they would still know me when i walked into the home and their faces would light up they would call me all different names, but amazingly they would remember me. I would take in my dog, chickens, sheep. they loved being around the animals, so i would also take in my pets. I then did voluntary work with them and loved it, although they sometimes get on your nerves u have to remember that many of them dont get visitors and are just left by their familys. but i loved walking into the dememtia wing and they would all want a hug, just to feel close to someone, and hold your hand as u walk down the passage to the lounge or their rooms. The bad thing is, most would slowley loose bowl and bladder functions, the ability to talk, there were hearing impared and sight impared, some who had in the past used drugs wich lead to an early onset of dementia and brainfunctions wernt normal resulting in mood swings, but u still have to respect them, and not let them think they are any less of a person. Thats where alot of people go wrong, and dementia care patience read body language better than fully physically and mentaly able people. its all bout the RESPECT __________________ PEEP SHOW: Dosn't mean getting to see your presents before Christmas! BACK IN THE GAME!

31-10-2006, 10:36	#6 (permalink)
Peta23 Status: Petey.. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cuballing Posts: 1,424 Rep Power: 4	Re: Dementia / Alzheimer Disease my great grandma went this like. she cant remember any of her own children or her grandchildren but she could remember my brother's name because it was her husband's name. her face would light up every time when someone told her that sam (my brother) was coming to visit. She lived until 102 and died 3 days before her 103rd birthday __________________ Shoulda Woulda Coulda

01-11-2006, 17:08	#8 (permalink)
IC BIATCH 69 Status: Beaut Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: queanbeyan Posts: 728 Rep Power: 3	Re: Dementia / Alzheimer Disease My father has dementia .And yes it is very sad to watch them fade away. this debillatating incurable illness is the biggest thief on the suffers life . My father has his good days but then other days he doesn't know anyone , My father was a truck driver for many years and he was as strong as an ox but now he can not even get out of bed unaided . __________________ blonde dyed black......artificial intellegence

02-11-2006, 00:05	#9 (permalink)
Octiris Status: Hardcore Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Valencia, Venezuela Posts: 2,335 Rep Power: 6	Re: Dementia / Alzheimer Disease the man who puts under his brain..IT IS a mental cotidianidad... buying his cOUPON to live clinically in the mental limb..... knows that these mental exercises, are due to begin from my early age... is for that reason that to the children from its stage pre- student is educated to them with educative games, diDACTIC..... it is possible to remember that when the man enters the age "they interesante"(In Venezuela we called interesting age, nonold, sounds contemptuous and contemptuous, when old WE CALLED them, it is so that we want them to hurt....si we are talking with which already I reach the 80, the say affectionately grandparents) re- taking the principle from the IDEA, when the man arrives itself at "the interesting" age has tendency to back down in the time....se feels like a boy with new toy, yet... affective relation, reached profits, draws up to new goals....DREAMS with new conquests. but to be able to arrive at that age with such lucidity....no avanze in the life must break the thread of the childhood during his....IT MUST to conserve variety and mental quality.... tRASLATION: if a person spends day after day the 7 days of the week, sitting as opposed to DESK,OFFICE working single with nuMBERS....HE IT WILL BE final result great explosIon mental before the 50.... simply because it did not have variety and MENTAL mental quality....."ESCAPE"...... MENTAL "cREATIVITY".....Is THE ONE THAT HAD IN ITS..BUT CHILDHOOD... BY the UPS AND DOWNS OF the LIFE.. ABANDONMENT..."ERROR" The MAN MUST HAVE a JOBI....en WHERE HE FEELS THAT To TASTE and PLEASURE, THESE JOBIS ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE TO DO WITH the ART, that IS IN WHERE SHAPE ITS.tales IDEAS... LIKE the CARPENTRY, the CLAY SCULPTURES Or MUD, TO PAINT, TO PLAY, TO TRANSFORM the MATERIALS OF REMAINDERS INTO a GREAT WORK OF ART.....o TO WRITE a BOOK, AMONG OTHERS..... A SINGLE TIME HIS OF TOTAL TO PLEASE, IS WHAT IT ALLOWS the MAN TO ARRIVE WITH The HEALTHY MIND At The OLDNESS.... OHHH OCTIRIS!!!! BUT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN A DETAIL....SMALL, BUT DETAIL To the AIM.....AND IS THAT MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFADTHER, MY GRANDPARENTS And MY FATHER THEY HAVE The SAME DISEASE. NO, THERE AM..BUT FORGOTTEN... PLEASES TO ME TO INFORM TO THEM THAT MANY OF THOSE SUPPOSED INHERITANCES ARE BY PREPARATION I EXPLAIN MYSELF... if To a BOY WHOSE BEFORO LAST SUFFER OF Such-and-such AILMENT, IT IS SAID to HIM..... ALREADY YOU THESE TOLERATING LIKE THE CRAZY PERSON OF YOUR FATHER!!!..... 100 To 1! THAT THAT BOY Before... IT WILL HAVE The SAME AILMENT, And UNTIL WITH MORE SEVERE SYMPTOM....