Alzheimer's Disease: Ask an Expert - Caregiving

How can I stop my 74-year-old mother from trying to go back to where she grew up? When I explain to her that she doesn't live there anymore, she looks confused. She also gets violent with my father.

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:46:47 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

My mother-in-law is no longer able to live alone due to Alzheimer's disease. She lives with my sister-in-law and sometimes understands that she can no longer live alone. Sometimes, however, she insists on going home and becomes agitated when she is told that she can’t go. Her home (rental) and belongings are still intact. We would love for her to go through the house and let us know what to do with her belongings. We have been advised that bringing her back to her home may do more harm than good and she may not want to leave. But we have also been advised that it could do helpful for her to have "closure." What should we do? She is in stage 4 or 5 of the disease.

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:41:10 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

How can I convince my family to see that my Grandma is ready to go to heaven and end her suffering? She is on a feeding tube.

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:37:53 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

My husband is 62 years old. He was diagnosed five years ago. For last eight months, he just chatters and stutters. I can no longer understand him, and wonder if this behavior is a normal part of Alzheimer's disease?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:32:13 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

My mom needs to be moved from assisted living to the Alzheimer's unit at her facility. The head of the facility says the best way to make the move is to take her out somewhere (a meal, for example) while the new space is set up by the family. Then, bring her directly to that new space without telling her in advance in an effort to minimize anticipatory anxiety. This does not seem like a very nice way to do things. What do you think?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:19:38 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

My dad lives in the Far East. He has stage V Alzheimer’s disease and has a “spring” in his heart. There is no one there to take care of him, and I want to bring him home. Do you think that he can tolerate the flight?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:16:58 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

My mom is 81 years old. She talks to dolls, thinks the President and his family live in her room because she has a picture of them on her wall, and has hid all the spices in the kitchen. She always thinks people come in her home and take things. She is very healthy, but can no longer cook for herself or dress herself. What stage of this awful disease is she in now? I am 50 and the only child she has left.

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:13:22 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

My mom is 87, and has been diagnosed with dementia. She has the need to talk the whole time I visit, which is twice each day. She will repeat the same questions eight to ten times. I just have to get up and go home; I cannot come up with enough patience to sit through this every day. Any suggestions on another way to handle this would be appreciated. Books and television does not work; I have tried both.

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:10:29 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Ask An Expert

My father has Alzheimer's disease and a year ago we started giving him high doses of vitamin B complex, B1, B6, B12, D3 and zinc. All are 100 milligrams four times a day and the zinc is 50 milligrams once each day, along with his other Alzheimer's medicine. This helps him a lot. He is 81 and went from not knowing his children (nine of us) to knowing us and the grand kids. In your opinion, do you think it's the vitamins that help? In my opinion I do think the vitamins helped him.

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:07:48 -0500

My father has Alzheimer's disease and a year ago we started giving him high doses of vitamin B complex, B1, B6, B12, D3 and zinc. All are 100 milligrams four times a day and the zinc is 50 milligrams once each day, along with his other Alzheimer's medicine. This helps him a lot. He is 81 and went from not knowing his children (nine of us) to knowing us and the grand kids. In your opinion, do you think it's the vitamins that help? In my opinion I do think the vitamins helped him.

My dad has not been officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but is being treated for it. There was a public service announcement on TV recently showing a man who was shuffling, and could not dress himself. He was tested and given medication for some type of neurological disorder, and he was cured. I believe the condition had a three letter acronym. Can you tell me what the name of this disease is and if I can have my father tested for it?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:58:25 -0500

Alzheimer's disease: Real Life Question