FRUSTRATION of ALZHEIMERS

 

  I  try to be positive, upbeat, smiley face, always saying that everything is great.   Truth is......  this disease eats you alive.........I can't think of words to describe what it does to the care giver.    If you're one..... YOU KNOW!    You feel 'off balance'... you never know what to expect next.  There are moments when our life almost feels normal, and the next moment you have a one year old who is 6'1" and 185#'s.

 On the positive side..... David doesn't know or realize.....and for that I am grateful!!!!    Many times I think how grateful I am that he's not the one having to care for me. 

David's going through another decline; he's very confused, hallucinating.....etc..etc...

David's in the middle part of stage 6...... damn!     

The 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s

By Shannon Dauphin

 

Experts have found that most Alzheimer’s patients go through seven stages of disease progression. The duration and symptoms might vary, but the general decline of Alzheimer's remains the same.

1. No Impairment

Individuals at this stage show no marked decline in their cognitive function. No memory problems show up on a regular basis.

2. Very Mild Impairment

Forgetfulness begins. The patient begins to forget names and small details, like where they put their glasses or if they took their medication that morning.

3. Mild Decline

At this point, family and friends begin to notice the symptoms. Losing things is more common, and the patient might begin having performance issues at work.

4. Moderate Decline

The problems are now clear in medical interviews. The patient begins forgetting personal history, recent events, and how to handle complex tasks, such as planning dinner or paying bills. They could begin acting withdrawn or subdued in social situations.

5. Moderately Severe Decline

While the patient may remember their own name and the names of those important to them, they begin to forget basic information, such as the current date, time, or season. Day-to-day tasks like cooking may no longer be safe.

6. Severe Decline

Now, the patient needs more help with basic activities like dressing and using the toilet. They might also experience behavioral changes, such as feeling suspicious or experiencing hallucinations. Someone at this stage might engage in repetitive behaviors or wander away, only to become confused and lost.

7. Very Severe Decline

In this final stage, the patient may lose the ability to speak coherently. They may need help with general hygiene, and may eventually lose muscle coordination and the ability to control movement. Their muscles typically grow rigid, the reflexes become unpredictable, and eventually even swallowing could become impaired. 

Sorry to sound like a  'downer'....

I know that I have so much to be thankful for..... and..... I AM, but sometimes I need to 'whine!'