Alzheimer's Attack: Coping as Family & Nurse

[nickster26]

Thank you for sharing this! I care for my grandmother with Alzheimer's and it is refreshing to hear from people who are going through or have gone through this terrible disease. As a new RN, I feel that a lot of my education has allowed me to give her the proper care she needs and better manage her care. However, it sometimes feels so overwhelming, I feel that my moods are just as labile as hers sometimes. At the end of the day though, seeing her smile is what makes me want to do everything I can to give her the highest quality of life. And to Roy Hanson, how dare you tell people who are sharing their person experiences with Alzheimer's to "Study Up" and "Not Pamper them". Like LadySolo mentioned, trying telling someone who has NO IDEA that they are confused and have ALZ that "this apartment is the same apartment that you have been living in for the past 30 years"... it doesn't get more direct than that but yet each time you get the same answer, "Why are you doing this to me, I want to go home!" You don't have the first clue what Alz is, I don't care wether your an RN or an MD. My grandmother soothed me when I was ill, raised me when both parents were away at work, and loved me and my brother uncondonitionally... if it weren't for financial constraints that restrict us she would be getting the best care possible. For now I can only do the best I can with what I have and "pamper" and love her the way she "pampered" and loved me.

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

nickster26 said:

Thank you for sharing this! I care for my grandmother with Alzheimer's and it is refreshing to hear from people who are going through or have gone through this terrible disease. As a new RN, I feel that a lot of my education has allowed me to give her the proper care she needs and better manage her care. However, it sometimes feels so overwhelming, I feel that my moods are just as labile as hers sometimes. At the end of the day though, seeing her smile is what makes me want to do everything I can to give her the highest quality of life. And to Roy Hanson, how dare you tell people who are sharing their person experiences with Alzheimer's to "Study Up" and "Not Pamper them". Like LadySolo mentioned, trying telling someone who has NO IDEA that they are confused and have ALZ that "this apartment is the same apartment that you have been living in for the past 30 years"... it doesn't get more direct than that but yet each time you get the same answer, "Why are you doing this to me, I want to go home!" You don't have the first clue what Alz is, I don't care wether your an RN or an MD. My grandmother soothed me when I was ill, raised me when both parents were away at work, and loved me and my brother uncondonitionally... if it weren't for financial constraints that restrict us she would be getting the best care possible. For now I can only do the best I can with what I have and "pamper" and love her the way she "pampered" and loved me.

Dear Nickster26, It sounds like you are a very loving and caring granddaughter who is doing the best you can under very difficult circumstances. You bring up a good point, that every case of Alzheimer's/Dementia is different, so that no one approach fits all. While there are some general principles that apply, individualized care if needed with each person affected. The losses even vary from day to day, making it even harder for the caregiver to know how to proceed. Joy

[Roy Hanson]

aw babygirl! you are acting as that! Your post about being ignorant about Alz is rude. Open your eyes AND your mind. ALZ is a cruel progressive/degrading disease. At this point, you need to educate yourself beyond the internet. There are way to cope, but like most families, ignorance is bliss and sometimes profitable.

[GrammyCat]

Roy Hanson said:

aw babygirl! you are acting as that! Your post about being ignorant about Alz is rude. Open your eyes AND your mind. ALZ is a cruel progressive/degrading disease. At this point, you need to educate yourself beyond the internet. There are way to cope, but like most families, ignorance is bliss and sometimes profitable.

Are you kidding me, Roy Hanson? Did you not read that we have lived through this as caregivers and nurses???? Your responses are RUDE, dismissive and ignorant. So, what is YOUR experience with Alzheimer's, and how many of your 25 years have you taken CARE of the Alz pt ? How did your bad attitude work for that pt? What did you do for them? My guess is that you just treated them as an annoyance or ignored them? It sounds like YOU need to get an education. Go volunteer. I dare you.

[LadysSolo]

Or RoyHanson, are you a troll enjoying baiting people who actually know something about the topic?

[BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN]

Perhaps RoyHanson is giving us the look from the inside of the mind with ALZ, and is a 92 y.o. person... We wouldn't know.

[jhug]

Having come across this article recently I wanted to pass it along. The potential treatment is probably still several years off, but it's something to keep track of, especially if your loved one is still in the early stages. At least there is a small glimmer of hope on the horizon as the baby boomers all come of age. I hope for the sake of those here coping with Alzheimer's in their family, that this gets fast-tracked to market swiftly if the trials go well.

New Alzheimer’s treatment fully restores memory function - ScienceAlert

[nickster26]

Your negativity and disrespect is so not welcomed here!! Move on and stop talking about issues that you have no knowledge or experience about. I am making a conscious effort to not stoop down to your level and so should everyone else here. You don't deserve our time or acknowledgement.

[walkingon, CNA, LPN]

Ask the Alzheimer's patient what they're confused about?! Are you sure you're talking about the same disease that's the topic of this thread?