What are some of the symptoms, treatment, and life expectancy for someone who suffers from some a type of Dementia?

My mom has early onset dementia or Alzheimers. I do not want to put her in a nursing home. There are care facilities near us for $3600-$4200 a month. She has some savings and I’m willing to use them to give her the best care, but the money would run out and then, I’m told, she would have to go to a nursing home in order to get Medicare reimbursement.

Mike Briana has been caring for his wife, Betty, who has Alzheimers, at their East Falmouth home for four years. Mike chose the option of keeping Betty at their home, rather than putting her in a nursing home. This video, by Robert Scott Button with the Cape Cod Times, tells their story.

The home says only registered nurses are allowed to do so, and they are always so shorthanded that it takes forever from the time the food is brought to the area to the time the patients actually get to eat.

my mother in law has reached the 7th stage of alzheimers,her Dr has talked about taking her off her meds.He has giving her 6 weeks to a year which doesnt tell me alot.I am her sole care giver ,and she still has some good days,she can smile and she seems to understand me.my question is won’t taking her off the meds,shorten her life.

My nana has alzheimers, and I want to spend more time with her. I didn’t grow up with her in my life too much, just during the summers. Consequently, I don’t know much about her. It figures she has alzheimers, so not a lot of her memory’s left. She’s too old to play cards, which she loved to do. She’s in a lot of pain, so physical activities are limited. Any activity ideas are appreciated, and can at least give me a starting point fpr brainstorming. Suggestions?
Wow!!! I just read the first 9 responses, and am overflowing with ideas!! THANK YOU EVERYONE, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!
I am choosing the best answer pretty randomly, because every single response has helped me tremendously. I wish I could pick all of you for the best answers. It helps to know a few things so I can find some common ground between the two of us. I cant thank all of you enough for your insight on such a heartbreaking disease. I’ll say it again anyway: Thank you.

November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month is an opportunity to honor and support those living with Alzheimer’s disease. During the month, it is time to express gratitude to the family members and caretakers who love and comfort those afflicted, and make a commitment to finding a cure to this devastating disease.

Over 16 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease with over 4 million of them being Americans. Not only does Alzheimer’s disease affect those that have the disease but there is at least one person or family member who cares for them that is indirectly affected.

It is not known what causes Alzheimer’s disease and at the present time there is no cure. Research into the disease is offering answers to many questions. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and accounts for at least half of all dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is named after Alois Alzheimer, the German physician who identified it in 1907. The cause of Alzheimer’s remains elusive and resistant many treatments.

Show your support to family members, caretakers or friends by helping spread awareness of the disease. There are many ways to show this support, spread awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, and provide a lasting impression to someone special who has been touched by this disease. There are many pieces of beautiful jewelry available including beaded jewelry, silicone bracelets or special pins. Jewelry gifts can be purchased with the knowledge that a portion of your purchase price will be donated to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. You can also take part in a walk or fund-raising effort or by making a donation of your own. Show your support and make sure Alzheimer’s Disease becomes a dim memory in our lives just as it dims the memories of so many people around the world.

By: Gina Mahony

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all i know is both make u lose ur memory , wat differences are there between the two afflictions ?

When someone close to you has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease one of the first things that you should do is explore any treatment options. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease but there are medications available that will help some patients cope with the symptoms. You’ll want to discuss the pros and cons of these medications with the patient’s doctor so that you can weigh the benefits and risks. The Alzheimer’s Society will also have information for you that is current and up to date. Keep in mind that there are often drug trials that the patient can participate in depending on what researchers are looking for and what stage of the disease the person is at. If the patient chooses to take part in any clinical trials you may need to offer your help.

As a caregiver you need to recognize that you’ll be going through many feelings and emotions, especially if the patient is a close family member. Some of the emotions that you’ll be experiencing include embarrassment, anger, frustration, fear, denial, guilt, and sadness. These are all normal emotions that are very common in caregivers. There are some days where you’ll feel more emotions than other days. The most important thing to remember is that you be gentle with yourself. If you find yourself falling into a deep depression that won’t lift you’ll need to see your own doctor. You need to be in good emotional shape if you’re going to be any good to your Alzheimer’s patient.

It’s important that you support the Alzheimer’s patient in making plans for the future. Some of the decisions about the future that will have to be made by and for the patient include both personal and work related issues. Try to keep the patient as involved in the decision process as possible so that they don’t become frightened by the changes around them. There will be some paperwork that you need to get in order that may need to be signed by the patient; try to attend to this paperwork during the early stages of the disease so that the patient retains control of many of the decisions that will affect them.

Another thing that should be discussed and taken care of when Alzheimer’s Disease is first diagnosed is decisions about finances and health care. The patient should write down their wishes when it comes to certain aspects of the future such legal issues and estate planning. There should also be a backup plan in place if, at some time in the future, you are unable to continue as the primary caregiver.

By: Wendy Gorman

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I was having a discussion with a co-worker who said his mom has had a change in her personality. It doesn’t happen all the time but several times during the year she becomes very mean and vindictive. I focused on the words change in personality. Is this a possible sign of Alzheimers or some other disease of old age? She is in her 70s.