[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

We also cared for my mother for several years and she then had to go to a facility. We met an amazing man that was a professor at Penn State (MD and Ph.D.), that had a wife in the facility. She had early onset Alzheimer's at 56 and by the time we met her, she was in her mid 60's. She also had been a professor at Penn State and ran both the New York and Boston Marathons.
The general population may say people diagnosed with any form of dementia frequently don't remain active mentally and/or physically.

The only reason the general population says that is because professionals have told them that. The truth is that being active, mentally and physically, is no guarantee. For one thing, if she ran marathons, that may be a sign that she was in the habit of putting herself under stress.

I would see her husband daily and at the end of his visit he would be typing on his lap top. He was compiling data for a research study concerning the patients in this 60 person facility. He had permission from the majority of the family's. He was also working in a facility that was not a private pay. The early findings were many of the generic symptoms of Alzheimer's may not be accurate.

Well, so much for relying on professionals. This may have been a case of one professional second guessing other professionals. But, yes, it may often be the case where someone is deeply depressed and gets put in a nursing home with a diagnosis of dementia.

I personally appreciate graciegirl for posting an accurate site on what is KNOWN at this TIME. I have thrown my name and address into that organization to be a part of any study they feel will be helpful for future generations. Thus far, I have not be called upon, but actively follow what is being researched. I also agree with Barry concerning the possibility of symptoms being thrown out for any disease that can mimic something totally different. Self diagnosing can be a bad thing and only a discussion of symptoms with your family physician can be an accurate diagnosis.

Why should we be worried about a mere discussion of possible symptoms when professionals have been known to misdiagnose patients, and we don't know how often it happens.

As with any forum, this is the general population with the majority of the members stating their opinions. As long as everyone keeps in mind the symptoms being listed were witnessed with a loved one or friend and may or may not be a precursor for any specific disease.

Needless to say, that should be understood. I doubt that anyone thinks we are in a doctor's office getting professional advice on this board.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

You know how loss of smell can be an early sign of Alzheimer's but not all "loss of smell" indicates a person will develop Alzheimer's. Forgetfulness and confusion can be an early sign but it doesn't always mean the person has Alzheimer's. One symptom by itself doesn't mean that much but if they can put many symptoms together, it might be more meaningful.

How about personality traits? I've known people who get upset or even angry if you cause them to think about something they are not accustomed to thinking about. It's as if "thinking hurts" and they get mad at you if you make them do it.

Could this be an early sign of Alzheimer's?

All of the above, if truth be told, as I've had first hand experience in caring for my mother full time from her early eighties until age 91 when she passed. Believe me, no one prepares you for that "end stage" .

Mom actually moved up to be near us at age 62, from N.J. to VT. but remained very independent until my stepfather passed; we soon learned he was the "other half of her brain". Spouses often "cover" for the person, who takes guidance from the one without the alzheimers/dementia.

LATER ON, although her primary physician , whose specialty was geriatrics, informed me that he could not successfully administer the cognitive test to her in his office (because she was severely demented with alzheimers; his words exactly), at home with us she still had her social skills at age 80. She knew all of our names & of course remembered her youth, her parents, siblings, as the long term memory remains intact.

Some, who were formerly meek & passive, become belligerent.
Those who were feisty & outgoing may become meek & passive.

The theory that those who exercise & stay physically fit do not get alzheimers, is not true.

She was very active physically & still got it. In the nursing home Alzheimer wing, were retired Air Force guys, strong & physically fit, tall & imposing......ornery as can be; frustrated with their dementia. There were school teaches, engineers, lawyers, plus people from every walk of life. Nurses would tell us that some were previous athletes. It doesn't matter. My mother lived ten years after diagnosis but probably had it earlier......

.........IF ONE COUNTS HER LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL...........

She would always tell me about that. She was afraid she would not be able to smell the gas. She never had gas up here in Vermont.

Her internist told me, after extensive testing following being put on Aricept which caused dizziness......."We've done every test in the book; for her age, your mother is extremely healthy, all of her organs are healthy, etc." He's a neighbor of ours & was actually amazed at what excellent condition she was in for (by now) mid 80's.

As I've said before......I'll say again.....it is the "LONG GOODBYE".

Getting lost (whether on foot or in the car) is another sign.

Forgetting appointments , or else going every day to your hairdresser appointment (as my mom did) was a tipoff....but I still was not thinking Alzheimers when her hairdresser told me those facts , closing with "Your momma is confused".

Once, my husband was driving to the bank when he saw my mom walking away from the church (she had assumed it was Sunday, but it was not). She asked him NOT to tell me. The Senior Center gals said she "knew she was confused" but hid it well. Actually, until my stepfather passed, he covered for her, & she was fine in social settings.

However, unbeknown to us, until he passed......her refrigerator told another story with dozens of EXPIRED containers. One clue is just looking in their frig. I learned that it was very common.

We gave her so many calendars; they all disappeared.

She kept losing her purse (it was behind the sofa or in the trash).

She loved to watch Lawrence Welk but didn't know how to turn on the t.v.

All of her beloved African Violet plants just disappeared.

I had her for supper every day, sending her back with a lunch for the next day........finally we realized it would be easier for her to live with us once we moved.

She became relaxed once I became her primary caregiver. She was just "relieved" NOT TO HAVE TO THINK ANYMORE, NOR MAKE DECISIONS. She retained a cheerful personality.

All of our neighbors commented on how agile she was, walking "like a teenager", quickly and surely. My mom always was a walker...........her entire life.

When we moved to Venice, Fl. (which had been the plan prior to my stepdad passing) we obviously had to bring my mom along, closing down her home as well as ours.

We were 49 years old; our kids had all graduated college, married, moved out of state........

BUT WE HAD A NEW BABY. She actually traveled well, but got confused in the condo as the "bedrooms were not upstairs". She couldn't turn a sink on (as they were modern).

One thing, she was always appreciative of having us there. She, at least, stopped the night time wandering. However, the stress of not knowing what was to come next, convinced us to return to Vermont and our support system & hers. The nurses/social workers at the senior center said that my mom was different in that "she knows she is confused".......WHILE OTHERS ARE IN DENIAL.

I kept her at home with us for many years until it was either her or me going to a community care home, followed by a skilled nursing Alzheimers wing.

All I can say is that those in the field, caring for these patients, are angels of mercy. I feel blessed she never fell down our stairs as we have three levels in this split.

Every morning I was afraid I'd wake up to her at the lower level, fallen.

She had Sundowner's Syndrome, so she wandered all night long.

She also "saved" her b.m.'s as a gift for me each morning, lining them up on the bathtub edge. ** During the day people told me, "Your mom is fine"......again, many retain their social skills at least in the first stage....or middle stage. ** Or in her pillow case.

She passed peacefully, with comfort care (palliative care) on morphine injections pretty close together, after her nursing home doctor (another friend of ours) warned me she could no longer swallow, not even water.......it's what happens at the end.

After her passing, I would wake up each night feeling extreme thirst, just imagining what it was like to have water withheld.

For those who acknowledge that the soul exists, as does a spiritual realm/afterlife........to comfort me, she came frequently, in dream form, looking young and healthy and happy. It was a blessing to me. I knew she was finally O.K. She appeared for about a year or more........than those visitations tapered off. She had passed on My Italian DAD'S B.DAY and her Ukrainian mom's death date

The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
It can be confusing not knowing what to look for when your loved one shows possible symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, especially because it can affect everyone differently. Some people may not have every symptom, while for others, their symptoms may occur at different times. Since Alzheimer's disease can last as long as 20 years, it can be helpful to look at it in terms of stages. Knowing the stages can help give you a general idea of what to expect and how to provide care.

Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease may bring about changes in your family member's overall functioning. Scroll down to find information about the changes you might expect at the mild and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease and some suggested steps you can take to cope with these changes.

Mild Stage Alzheimer's Disease

Most people at this stage can still manage many of their daily activities themselves, but they may need some assistance or support to stay organized.

Possible Changes:
Having trouble carrying out tasks that require multiple steps, like following a recipe
Getting lost, even in familiar places
Having difficulty performing some household chores
Avoiding social situations
Having trouble remembering appointments, people's names, or things that happened recently

Steps the Caregiver Can Take:
Ask a trusted friend or family member to help manage your loved one's money
Write reminders to your loved one in the same place, such as a calendar or notepad, to look at often
Keep a list near the telephone of the names and telephone numbers of family and friends, along with their photos
Put labels or pictures on cabinets, drawers, and closets so that things can be found easily
Encourage your loved one to talk about his or her feelings with friends, family, clergy, or other professionals
Consider enrolling your loved one in adult education, recreation, or fitness classes to stay physically and mentally alive

Moderate Stage Alzheimer's Disease

People at this stage may have more trouble taking care of themselves, but they can still be involved in their daily care and follow a comfortable routine.

Possible Changes:
Needing help to take a bath or shower, choose clothing, or get dressed
Needing help setting a table or getting out of a chair
Developing sloppy table manners
Feeling restless or wandering, especially in the late afternoon or evening
Getting suspicious, angry, or easily upset
Having trouble recognizing family members
Having difficulty expressing oneself and understanding others

Steps the Caregiver Can Take:
Encourage your loved one to stay involved in things he or she enjoys doing, even if for shorter periods of time
Help your loved one share his or her memories with family members by telling stories or creating a scrapbook
Speak calmly and clearly – show what you mean as you say it by making sure you have your loved one's attention
Plan for exercise and other physical activity during the day to promote sleep at night
Research community resources to provide help, such as home healthcare agencies or adult day centers

Is It Just Old Age or Is It Alzheimer's Disease?
How do you know if it is Alzheimer's disease? As people get older it's common for them to forget things. But at what point is misplacing your car keys considered old age or something worse? Old age can often result in memory loss, whereas Alzheimer's disease can cause loss of cognition, which includes things like memory, understanding, communication, and reasoning.

Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms. Here is a checklist of common symptoms to help recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease:

Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease

Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of Alzheimer's disease. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.

What's Normal Aging? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks Because It Could Be Alzheimer's Disease

People with Alzheimer's disease often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps needed to prepare a meal, place a telephone call, or play a game.

What's Normal Aging? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.

Problems with Language May Be a Sign of Alzheimer's Disease

People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may not be able to find the toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth."

What's Normal Aging? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

Disorientation to Time and Place Due to Alzheimer's Disease

People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.

What's Normal Aging? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.

Poor or Decreased Judgment Due to Alzheimer's Disease

Those with Alzheimer's disease may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day, or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment about money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers.

What's Normal Aging? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.

Problems with Abstract Thinking–Is It Alzheimer's Disease?

Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are and how they should be used.

What's Normal Aging? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.

Misplacing Things–a Sign of Alzheimer's Disease

A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places: an iron might go in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

What's Normal Aging? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.

Changes in Mood or Behavior in Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.

What's Normal Aging? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.

Changes in Personality Due to Alzheimer's Disease

The personalities of people with Alzheimer's disease can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on a family member.

What's Normal Aging? People's personalities do change somewhat with age.

Loss of Initiative Due to Alzheimer's Disease

A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to do usual activities.

What's Normal Aging? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.

[graciegirl]

If a family member had Alzheimers, there is a genetic test that can identify if you may be susceptible or likely to have it. IF you want to know. I don't.

At this time there is little to change things or avert it's happening. What we CAN do is support research. Some very promising things are in the works. And try to live each day we have to the fullest.

[Bizdoc]

Keep in mind that there are a significant number of dementias besides Alzheimers.

One of the signs of most dementias is a reduction in or loss of "self censuring." The odd things we usually stop ourself from doing aren't filtered out by our "manners". Thus, people say things they would normally think, make odd noises, chew at odd times, etc.

And folks with dementia lose their ability to self analyze fairly early. Asking someone with dementia about anything that has changed will likely get denials that they do any of it or that things are different.

If you observe major changes in behavior and/or judgement, you need to bring it to the person's doctor's attention. If it is a friend, bring it to the attention of their spouse or family. There are lots of reasons (including things like strokes and tumors) which can cause similar problems - only their doctor can sort them out.

And for those who constantly complain (and I am one of them!) about behavior in TV (especially drivers, but also in stores, etc) - that sort of aggressive or irrational behavior can be caused by dementia.

And no, you doctor can't see it in a 3 minute exam.

[rubicon]

WOW! There is certainly an awful lot of information given by posters concerning this subject matter and if it does anything it makes clear that Alzheimer's is an issue we are all interested in hearing more about.

My perceptive wife brought to my attention that during our weekly phone calls to home that my Mom seemed confused.

so when we were ready to make our annual visit back home i called ahead and made an appointment with a specialist. At this point the rest of my family just thought she was a little confused since my Dad' death.

The specialist confirmed my wife's suspicions indicating she was in the stages of mild to moderate Alheimer's. The specialist's admonition was that we not tell my Mom because it would only frighten her. I did abide by the specialist suggestion but toward the difficult end was sorry I did not better prepare her or at least explain why we were doing what we were doing.

In short we know our loved ones and we know when they are not themselves. If you see loved ones acting out of the ordinary don't guess and don't play doctor. Do behave as a son daughter brother sister and intervene in their behalf

[senior citizen]

http://www.alzfdn.org/RelatedIllnesses/parkinsonsdisease.html

I forgot to mention that many times, although a diagnosis of Alzheimers is given, there are other diseases with similar symptoms. In reality, only at autopsy, (if done) can true Alzheimers be detected......or, that is what I was told when my mom passed in 2003.

For instance, in **Parkinson's, note the "diminished sense of smell".

At the end of my mom's "Long Goodbye", I was told that she might have a touch of Parkinson's; she was confined to a wheelchair by then. End stage. Could no longer speak. Prior to end stage, garbled speech. Early & middle stages, only those living with the person would fully comprehend the problem, as many hide it well.

Symptoms:
Parkinson's disease causes motor (movement) and nonmotor symptoms. Clinically, the disease is characterized by a decrease in spontaneous movements, gait difficulty, postural instability, rigidity and tremor. Nonmotor symptoms include diminished sense of smell, low voice volume, painful foot cramps, sleep disturbance, and depression.

****************
This is an important one to discuss with the physician.

Lewy Body Dementia
Symptoms:
The symptoms vary from person and person, and can mimic other diseases, especially in the early years. A diagnosis of probable Lewy body dementia requires progressive cognitive decline plus two of the following: fluctuation of cognition and alertness, recurrent visual hallucinations or Parkinsonian symptoms, such as muscle stiffness and rigidity, frozen stance, balance difficulties and tremors.
Summary:
Lewy body dementia (LBD), a progressive brain disease, is the second leading cause of degenerative dementia in the elderly. Although symptoms vary, hallucinations and fluctuating cognition are usually present, along with other features of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or both.
Causes:
In the early 1900s, the scientist Friederich H. Lewy discovered abnormal protein deposits that disrupt the brain’s normal functioning. These Lewy body proteins are found in an area of the brain stem where they deplete the neurotransmitter dopamine, causing Parkinsonian symptoms. In Lewy body dementia, these abnormal proteins are diffuse throughout other areas of the brain, including the cerebral cortex, causing disruption of perception, thinking and behavior. Advanced age is considered to be the greatest risk factor, although some cases have been reported much earlier. Having a family member with Lewy body dementia may increase a person’s risk.
Symptoms:
The symptoms vary from person and person, and can mimic other diseases, especially in the early years. A diagnosis of probable Lewy body dementia requires progressive cognitive decline plus two of the following: fluctuation of cognition and alertness, recurrent visual hallucinations or Parkinsonian symptoms, such as muscle stiffness and rigidity, frozen stance, balance difficulties and tremors.
Treatment:
There is no cure or definitive treatment for Lewy body dementia. Medical management is complex because of increased sensitivity to many drugs. Clinically proven medications are cholinesterase inhibitors (medications for Alzheimer’s disease) and drugs for Parkinsonian symptoms. However, some medications prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease can adversely affect people with Lewy body dementia. All prescription and over-the-counter drugs should be initiated at the lowest effective dose and managed by a Lewy body dementia-experienced physician.

**************

My heart/prayers go out to all caregivers out there, whether it be to their spouse with senile dementia, Alzheimers, etc. or those caring for a parent or sibling. Very difficult job, to say the least. Most will attempt to care for them at home for as long as they can, before putting the loved one in a care facility. I now wish I had kept her home a few years longer with the assistance of a home health aide (as I was having difficulty showering her, etc. after Mom could no longer safely get into & out of the bathtub. She was afraid of the shower stall.) Otherwise, she was content to be with us & still very conversational, knew who we were, etc. and attended a senior daycare which was excellent from morning to about 3 p.m. Once in the skilled nursing place, although wonderful care was given, I know now that chemical restraints were used.......although at the time it didn't dawn on me. The research physician also kept calling me, wanting to put her on experimental drugs, but knowing her adverse reaction to Aricept (severe dizziness & anorexia while in community care home), I reneged on that idea.

　

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

OP is asking if " people who get upset or even angry if you cause them to think about something they are not accustomed to thinking about. It's as if "thinking hurts" and they get mad at you if you make them do it. Could this be an early sign of Alzheimer's?"
My point is if someone answers "yes, I think this is an early sign of Alzheimers" or if they answer "no, I don't think this is an early sign of Alzheimers", we haven't moved our knowledge of the subject forward one inch, because what someone thinks about the subject is inconsequential unless they have specialized knowledge of the subject. It sounds as if you're dealing with someone who has this tragic disease right now. If you are, you have my thoughts and prayers. If I, who knows very little about the disease were to say to you that I think the noises and movements you are seeing is because of Alzheimers, I wouldn't have helped you at all because I am not qualified to answer the question, and my speculations could do as much harm as good.

Well, from personal experience, as well as that of my peers, many of whom were going through the exact same thing with their own parent or parents (and many times with their inlaw parents at the same time....) I can say that yes we all experienced that ferocious anger when pressed for an answer or opinion......"as if it hurt to think" or else they were quite aware they were CONFUSED with no answer forthcoming.........it came out in belligerence, anger, acting out in a hyper fashion, etc. We saw it all.

In the end, all of our parents, inlaws, etc. ended up in the same skilled nursing facility in our town.......so we were able to compare notes re our parents. It's quite a life lesson.

Now, once someone came into their lives to manage their every day issues such as writing out their bills, doing their errands for them, getting a cleaning lady, arranging meals for them.......or inviting them to live in their own homes (as we did) the personality relaxed as they NO LONGER HAD TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES. This is that tricky early stage.......although no doubt it was going on for years prior.

However, we've seen a nice normal person, active in the community, physically fit, etc........turn belligerent when pressed for answers.......then become docile as a lamb, sweet natured when they no longer had to THINK for themselves...........as that part of their brain was no doubt suffering.

Later in my mom's purses, I found little notes whereby earlier on she must have written down her NAME, her STREET ADDRESS, my contact information, as well as her phone number. All on separate little papers. We assumed to remind herself. She knew she was forgetful. She also forgot to eat, when on her own & lost so much weight she was only 85-89 pounds at four feet eleven inches when we got her fulltime. I fattened her up to 125 lbs. on three meals a day........a bit later when the doc put her on Aricept, she lost it all& went back to the 89 lbs. Anorexia is one of the side effects, plus dizziness. Later when she was "SPOON FED" by the aides at the skilled nursing facility she went back to the 125 lbs.

This was all a process from 1994 to 2003. It happened over time.
This is why it is called THE LONG GOODBYE.

Strangest thing is, I have no fear at all of getting it myself.
My mom was always slightly "scattered" and even when I was a child she was always losing her keys, forgetting where she put insurance papers. I'm pretty organized with no memory issues, thank God.

[Villages PL]

People often think in terms of dementia being one type or another but 2 or 3 types can exist at the same time in one individual. For example, it's very common for a person to have vascular dementia and Alzheimer's at the same time. Parkinson's disease is a form of dementia and I see no reason why it couldn't exist along with the others.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

People often think in terms of dementia being one type or another but 2 or 3 types can exist at the same time in one individual. For example, it's very common for a person to have vascular dementia and Alzheimer's at the same time. Parkinson's disease is a form of dementia and I see no reason why it couldn't exist along with the others.

http://www.alz.org/dementia/vascular-dementia-symptoms.asp

Actually, on my mom's death certificate it says "vascular dementia" as cause of death, although every one of her physicians referred to her condition as Alzheimers Disease, when speaking to me.

Again, without an autopsy, it cannot be determined one way or another. She passed at 91.


p.s. For the record, she never had a stroke; perhaps they were mini strokes, undiagnosed, if she did have any.

[OBXNana]

My mother was diagnosed with Dementia. We did an autopsy after her death and her brain indicated no signs of the disease.

She was diagnosed with Porphyria in 1957. Many diseases mimic other diseases.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Well, from personal experience, as well as that of my peers, many of whom were going through the exact same thing with their own parent or parents (and many times with their inlaw parents at the same time....) I can say that yes we all experienced that ferocious anger when pressed for an answer or opinion......"as if it hurt to think" or else they were quite aware they were CONFUSED with no answer forthcoming.........it came out in belligerence, anger, acting out in a hyper fashion, etc. We saw it all.

In the end, all of our parents, inlaws, etc. ended up in the same skilled nursing facility in our town.......so we were able to compare notes re our parents. It's quite a life lesson.

Now, once someone came into their lives to manage their every day issues such as writing out their bills, doing their errands for them, getting a cleaning lady, arranging meals for them.......or inviting them to live in their own homes (as we did) the personality relaxed as they NO LONGER HAD TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES. This is that tricky early stage.......although no doubt it was going on for years prior.

However, we've seen a nice normal person, active in the community, physically fit, etc........turn belligerent when pressed for answers.......then become docile as a lamb, sweet natured when they no longer had to THINK for themselves...........as that part of their brain was no doubt suffering.

Later in my mom's purses, I found little notes whereby earlier on she must have written down her NAME, her STREET ADDRESS, my contact information, as well as her phone number. All on separate little papers. We assumed to remind herself. She knew she was forgetful. She also forgot to eat, when on her own & lost so much weight she was only 85-89 pounds at four feet eleven inches when we got her fulltime. I fattened her up to 125 lbs. on three meals a day........a bit later when the doc put her on Aricept, she lost it all& went back to the 89 lbs. Anorexia is one of the side effects, plus dizziness. Later when she was "SPOON FED" by the aides at the skilled nursing facility she went back to the 125 lbs.

This was all a process from 1994 to 2003. It happened over time.
This is why it is called THE LONG GOODBYE.

Strangest thing is, I have no fear at all of getting it myself.
My mom was always slightly "scattered" and even when I was a child she was always losing her keys, forgetting where she put insurance papers. I'm pretty organized with no memory issues, thank God.

If there is such a thing as an angel, you certainly fit the bill. I read every one of your posts which was informative, but more than that, caring and filled with inner thoughts that make you a special person. There is a reserved spot in heaven for you!

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

If there is such a thing as an angel, you certainly fit the bill. I read every one of your posts which was informative, but more than that, caring and filled with inner thoughts that make you a special person. There is a reserved spot in heaven for you!

Well, thank you kindly, but I hope I'm not going too soon???
When is that reservation???

Caring for an elder does age one fast, but if I had it to do all over again, I would do exactly the same, however......this time around I would skip* the time in the community care home (keeping her in our home longer than the six years) & just do the "end" stage in the skilled nursing home Alzheimers wing which was necessary because she became wheelchair bound. We have three levels in this home plus hilly lawns & terrain outdoors.

*I would get a home health aide into the home for the bathing.

The nurses, plus aides who fed & bathed Mom, were true angels of mercy.....I'll also never forget after she had passed, they wanted me to be in the room as they bathed her body one last time.


Her skin was pure white & pinkish like a little baby.
They truly took excellent care of her those last 18 months.
It showed. In our nursing home, only the gals who "requested" to work with the A.D. patients, were trained to do so.

One hears so many horror stories of putting a parent into a nursing home.....but living in a small town, where everyone knows each other, plus knows the doctors as neighbors, plus knows the nurses, etc., it's totally different. Plus, all of our friends & neighbors were going through the same thing as we were, in our 50's.

I miss her, every day. Only a mother's love (for her child, no matter what their age) is "unconditional". Once we lose our mother, that's it. Luckily I have a super great hubby. She loved him too. Just thinking, my mom moved NORTH to a cold climate & thrived until those latter years, passing at 91. We all have to go from something. My children always loved stopping at "Grandma's home" enroute home from school.........just food for thought.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

My mother was diagnosed with Dementia. We did an autopsy after her death and her brain indicated no signs of the disease.

She was diagnosed with Porphyria in 1957. Many diseases mimic other diseases.

You are correct that many diseases mimic others, however, if you look up Porphyria, those symptoms are nothing at all like the common Alzheimers. Porphyria is a very serious blood / cutaneous skin disease which attacks fiercely.


http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Porphyria Very long; please keep scrolling downward


http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/porphyria/basics/symptoms/CON-20028849


Dementia, though, can be a part of various illnesses. See below.
Definition of dementia
Dementia is a loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting more than six months, not present since birth, and not associated with a loss or alteration of consciousness.

Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by gradual death of brain cells. The loss of cognitive abilities that occurs with dementia leads to impairments in memory, reasoning, planning, and behavior.

While the overwhelming number of people with dementia are elderly, dementia is not an inevitable part of aging; instead, dementia is caused by specific brain diseases.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause, followed by vascular or multi-infarct dementia.
Causes and symptoms
Dementia usually is caused by degeneration in the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for thoughts, memories, actions, and personality. Death of brain cells in this region leads to the cognitive impairment that characterizes dementia.

The most common cause of dementia is AD, accounting for one-half to three-fourths of all cases. The brain of a person with AD becomes clogged with two abnormal structures called neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted masses of protein fibers inside nerve cells (neurons). Senile plaques are composed of parts of neurons surrounding a group of proteins called beta-amyloid deposits.

Why these structures develop is unknown. Current research indicates possible roles for inflammation, blood flow restriction, and molecular fragments known as free radicals.
Several genes have been associated with higher incidences of AD, although the exact role of these genes still is unclear.

Discovered by researchers at Duke University in the early 1990s, potentially the most important genetic link to AD is on chromosome 19. A gene on this chromosome, called APOE (apolipoprotein E), codes for a protein involved in transporting lipids (fats) into neurons. Certain variations of this gene appear to increase the chance for developing AD and/or lower the age at which symptoms occur. Researchers believe that as many as seven other AD risk-factor genes exist.

In 2007, scientists identified a possible risk factor in four new AD-related regions in the human genome. In these regions, one out of several hundred genes may be a risk factor. One gene called SORL 1 has drawn particular research attention. This gene is involved regulating the transport of certain proteins in the cell. As of 2009, the role SORL 1 in the development of AD remained under study.

Vascular dementia is estimated to cause from 5-30% of all dementias. It occurs from decrease in blood flow to the brain, most commonly due to a series of small strokes (multi-infarct dementia). Other cerebrovascular causes include vasculitis from syphilis, Lyme disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); subdural hematoma; and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Because of the usually sudden nature of its cause, the symptoms of vascular dementia tend to begin more abruptly than those of Alzheimer's dementia. Symptoms may progress stepwise with the occurrence of new strokes.

Unlike AD, the incidence of vascular dementia is lower after age 75.
Other conditions that may cause dementia include:

• AIDS
• Parkinson's disease
• Lewy body disease
• Pick's disease
• Huntington's disease
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
• brain tumor
• hydrocephalus
• head trauma
• multiple sclerosis
• prolonged abuse of alcohol or other drugs
• vitamin deficiency: thiamin, niacin, or B12
• hypothyroidism
• hypercalcemia
  Symptoms
  Dementia is marked by a gradual impoverishment of thought and other mental activities. Losses eventually affect virtually every aspect of mental life. The slow progression of dementia is in contrast with delirium, which involves some of the same symptoms, but has a very rapid onset and fluctuating course with alteration in the level of consciousness. However, delirium may occur with dementia, especially since the person with dementia is more susceptible to the delirium-inducing effects of may types of drugs.
  Symptoms of dementia include:
• Memory losses. Memory loss usually is the first symptom noticed. It may begin with misplacing valuables such as a wallet or car keys, then progress to forgetting appointments and then to more substantive omissions such as forgetting where the car was parked or the route home. More profound losses follow, such as forgetting the names and faces of family members.
• Impaired abstraction and planning. The person with dementia may lose the ability to perform familiar tasks, plan activities, and draw simple conclusions from facts.
• Language and comprehension disturbances. The person with dementia may be unable to understand instructions or follow the logic of moderately complex sentences. Later, the individual may not understand his or her own sentences and have difficulty forming thoughts into words.
• Poor judgment. The person with dementia may not recognize the consequences of his or her actions or be able to evaluate the appropriateness of behavior or level or risk. Behavior may become rude, overly friendly, or aggressive. Personal hygiene may be ignored.
• Impaired orientation ability. The person may not be able to identify the time of day, even from obvious visual clues, or may not recognize his or her location, even if familiar. This disability may stem partly from losses of memory and partly from impaired abstraction.
• Decreased attention and increased restlessness. This may cause the person with dementia to begin an activity and quickly lose interest and/or to wander frequently. Wandering may create significant safety problems when combined with disorientation and memory losses. For example, a person with dementia may begin to cook something on the stove, then become distracted and wander away while it is cooking.
• Behavioral changes and psychosis. The person with dementia may lose interest in once-pleasurable activities and become more passive, depressed, or anxious. Delusions, suspicion, paranoia, and hallucinations may occur later in the disease. Sleep disturbances may occur, including insomnia and sleep interruptions.
  Diagnosis
  Since dementia usually progresses slowly, diagnosing it in its early stages can be difficult. However, prompt intervention and treatment has been shown to help slow the effects of some dementias, so early diagnosis is important.
  Office visits over several months or more may be needed. Diagnosis begins with a thorough physical exam and complete medical history, usually including supplemental information from family members or caregivers. A family history of either AD or cerebrovascular disease may provide clues to the cause of symptoms. Simple tests of mental function, including word recall, object naming, and number-symbol matching, are used to track changes in the person's cognitive ability.
  
  Depression is common in the elderly and can be mistaken for dementia; therefore, ruling out depression is part of the diagnosis. Distinguishing dementia from the mild normal cognitive decline of advanced age also is critical. The medical history should include a complete listing of drugs and dosages and being taken, since a number of drugs can cause dementia-like symptoms in the elderly.
  
  Determining the cause of dementia may require a variety of medical tests, chosen to match the most likely etiology. Cerebrovascular disease, hydrocephalus, and tumors may be diagnosed with x rays, CT or MRI scans, and vascular imaging studies. Blood tests may reveal nutritional deficiencies or hormone imbalances.

[OBXNana]

Having lived through it, been involved with both organizations, I will simply say, we will agree to disagree.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

Having lived through it, been involved with both organizations, I will simply say, we will agree to disagree.

There is nothing at all to disagree about.
You lived through it with your mom. I believe you.
Yes, many diseases mimic each other.

What I meant was that Alzheimers & Porphyria are two distinctly different things, however, anyone can have dementia.....

My mom, nor any of her elderly friends in the Alzheimer wing, had porphyria. Thankfully not.

However, I had two younger friends, one with systemic lupus and the other with discoid lupus, both with a photosensitivity to the sunlight.......who had the cutaneous type of porphyria (on their face and hands} One had psychotic events which might today be "labeled" as DEMENTIA, BUT BACK THEN WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE DRUGS such as chloroquine (sp?), prednisone, plaquinil, etc. They didn't live long enough to grow old.

It was called "psychotic events" at the time.....not dementia.

YOUR POST:

""My mother was diagnosed with Dementia. We did an autopsy after her death and her brain indicated no signs of the disease.""

""She was diagnosed with Porphyria in 1957. Many diseases mimic other diseases. ""

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http://www.dermnet.com/images/Porphyrias/photos/1

Photos of Porphyria on above hyperlink......several pages worth.

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Porphyria symptoms

Porphyrias involve three major symptoms:Abdominal pain or cramping (only in some forms of the disease) · Light sensitivity causing rashes, blistering, and scarring of the skin (photodermatitis) · Problems with the nervous system and muscles (seizures, mental disturbances, nerve damage). ...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002188/

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Porphyria
Porphyrias are a group of rare disorders passed down through families, in which an important part of hemoglobin, called heme, is not made properly. Heme is also found in myoglobin, a protein found in certain muscles. Also known as: Acute intermittent porphyria · Congenital erythropoietic porphyria · Erythropoietic protoporphyria · Hereditary coproporphyria

The acute, or hepatic, porphyrias primarily affect the nervous system, resulting in abdominal pain, vomiting, acute neuropathy, muscle weakness, seizures and mental disturbances, including hallucinations, depression, anxiety and paranoia. Cardiac arrhythmias and tachycardia (high heart rate) may develop as the autonomic nervous system is affected. Pain can be severe and can, in some cases, be both acute and chronic in nature. Constipation is frequently present, as the nervous system of the gut is affected, but diarrhea can also occur.

Given the many presentations and the relatively low occurrence of porphyria, the patient may initially be suspected to have other, unrelated conditions.

For instance, the polyneuropathy of acute porphyria may be mistaken for Guillain-Barré syndrome, and porphyria testing is commonly recommended in those situations.[5] Systemic lupus erythematosus features photosensitivity and pain attacks and shares various other symptoms with porphyria.[6]

Not all porphyrias are genetic, and patients with liver disease who develop porphyria as a result of liver dysfunction may exhibit other signs of their condition, such as jaundice.

Patients with acute porphyria (AIP, HCP, VP) are at increased risk over their life for hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) and may require monitoring. Other typical risk factors for liver cancer need not be present.

The cutaneous, or erythropoietic, porphyrias primarily affect the skin, causing photosensitivity (photodermatitis), blisters, necrosis of the skin and gums, itching, and swelling, and increased hair growth on areas such as the forehead. Often there is no abdominal pain, distinguishing it from other porphyrias.

In some forms of porphyria, accumulated heme precursors excreted in the urine may cause various changes in color, after exposure to sunlight, to a dark reddish or dark brown color. Even a purple hue or red urine may be seen.