Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Today, I start a blog in the hope of learning from others on how I, as an only son, can best support and care for my mom who recently was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. My father passed away about 8 months ago. Not until his passing, did I realize how my mom's "memory", short term memory especially, had deteriated. She would check her mail at 2:00 AM. She would buy the same item at the grocery store, week after week, collecting dozens of jars of the same thing that she would never use. But not until I realized my efforts were fruitless in trying to keep her from walking, for exercise, in the summer time heat, did I finally know that she needed 24/7 care for her own safety and well being.Therefore, about six moths ago I put her in a Assisted Living Memory Care Facility. She is not yet 80. She is in great physical shape. She knows me, her grandchildren, daughter-in-law, her brother and virtually nobody else. She knows what county she was born in, she remembers her cousin's first boyfriend, she can work crossword puzzles with the best of them, but she can't remember what she ate for her last meal. She repeats herself constantly and forgets to take a shower. I am told and I have read, it will only get worse...does it? What comes next? Will I be able to care for her? Will I have the money to care for her then as I am doing so now? And most importantly will I still love her the same then as I do now? So what do I want to learn? Everything. Everything about,Care facilities, Medicare, long term care options,support groups, insurance, medical treatments. Especially, I want to learn how others have cared for their loved ones and what they have learned along the way. And what have others observed in the progression of this dreaded disease. She and I have just started our journey. So many others are far ahead of me and no doubt, so many others have yet to begin .