Alzheimer’s: We weather an anxiety attack

My friend had what I interpret as an anxiety attack – big time.

Alzheimer’s: “I don’t know what’s wrong with me”

My friend Carl is saying, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”  And I don’t know what to say back to him – that’ll be any help.

It’s not a good situation – not encouraging at all – for either of us.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Sundowning

Sundowning syndrome – also referred to as sundowning and sunsetting – is a pattern of more severe behavioral symptoms in the late afternoon and evening.  This pattern is common in people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Alzheimer’s: I Wish I Could Help More

I wish I could do more to help Carl.  I wish, to the most wonderful stars in Mr. Sagan’s Cosmos, that I had some way to do more to help my friend.  To help my best friend in the world – at this time, when he needs help more than he has ever, in his life, needed help.  At this time, when there’s no other person or place or power he can look to for help.

But that’s exactly what every other Alzheimer’s caregiver feels, isn’t it?  Millions and millions and millions of people.  Even if their situation isn’t exactly the same as mine, they fervently hurl an identical plea into the implacable ether.

Alzheimer’s: The Path Beyond the Tears

“As we walked, every two minutes, I would seize up, surging close to convulsing into tears.”

Those were my words. I wrote them in my initial post to this blog, a little over six months ago.

Alzheimer’s Disease and the Full Moon

The banging rang along the halls of the nursing home. A moment before, it was quiet. Now, the regular, rhythmic pounding echoed through the vaulted open area.

I was seated at a conference table. I was attending my second evening meeting with this Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group.

I knew that the building was built only a few years ago. So the utility systems shouldn’t be making that kind of racket. At least, not quite this soon.

Alzhimer’s Association – Northern Delaware Support Group – Men only

This past Monday morning, I attended my first meeting of a men only Alzheimer’s support group – sponsored and supported by the local Alzheimer’s Association.

Small pleasures

The neurologist characterized Carl’s “progress,” along his rocky Alzheimer’s road, as “medium”.

Thinking about it later, I wondered what “medium” means – really. I must ask when I can.

I’m wondering whether Carl could be on the not-so-good side of “medium”. Or maybe even a bit beyond that.

Mocha Flavored Irony

As I was getting Carl settled this morning, on the couch in the livingroom, with his breakfast Cheereos, coffee, and newspaper, I thought about the several times, in our 33 years together, when he would playfully suggest that I make his coffee – or that I get him some fresh coffee – or whatever other amusing idea popped into his head.

I always declined. Completely apart from the fact that the suggestion was playful, I was wary of getting into that sort of pattern – with coffee – or with any other routine need.

The bitter sweet, ironic agony is that’s exactly what I’m doing today.

Psychologist, Neurologist, Management, Research

It’s been a rough road, so far. I fear we’re not even close to finished with rough – and then surely there will be even worse.

It’s fairly obvious that someone dealing with cognitive issues is going to be talking to doctors – to understand what they are dealing with – to find out if there’s a way to fix the problem. Or to find out how to make the best of the situation, if it can’t be fixed.