A question asked by Snoop: What are some ways to make life easier for a loved family member battling Alzheimer’s Disease?
My grandfather is one of the most remarkable people you will ever meet. He served in World War II, has been an outstanding family man, and a greater role model. He helped me get involved in following sports. He helped raise my siblings and I when our parents worked full-time. Over the years he has been the bastion of strength and wisdom through my family’s ups and downs. In 2004 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and it has been very difficult for everyone in my family. The man I remember as being so strong and smart as a whip has so much trouble today with memories and dealing with his surroundings.

He is fargone now, and is living on borrowed time. My heart is broken as a result of this illness because soon I will lose one of my best friends in this world. How do I make the rest of his days the very best for him and I despite the degeneration of his illness?
To everyone who as posted an answer here- First of all, I have to say that each and everyone of you has been really classy with your answers. That is greatly appreciated. I’ve cried upon reading each response. The past three years have been really rough for my family and I. Again, if you ever had the chance to meet my grandfather for the first time, you would like him in an instant. He has that quality to make each and everyone in a room feel special and induce smiling.

I only hope I grow up and become half the man he is. I owe everything I have ever learned about sports (especially the NHL and hockey in general) to him.

cme, Blossom, 288, Aurora, (I apologize to anyone I may have missed so far…I will make mention of you in a moment)- thank you very much for the kind words each of you expressed for my family and I.
amdd, sharen d, jmz, Em, yankees 10, Gevera Bert- I also would like to express my graditude for your kindness and your words.
I honestly cannot pick a best answer for this question, because EVERY answer here is great and extremely helpful. I wish Yahoo could give me the option to pick 11 best answers for this question. Thank you everyone for the wonderful answers.

The top answer:

Answer by sharen d
Live one day at a time.And if he has some old stories to tell listen.Make him comfortable and help out with the care as much as possible.My dad
had the same disease and I know how you feel.It’s like being lost in the past and forgetting even your loved ones.Never let a day go by without telling him you love him.

Provide your own answer to this question below!

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Question by pinkcc: What is the average life span of someone with dementia?
My mom is 53 and has dementia and my siblings and I need to know when we should start planning her funeral. We are all under 30yrs. old and don’t even know where to start. She has no assets or life insurance, so we will have to pay for everything.

The best answer:

Answer by gotta luv da Li
Talk to her doctor. From the very little that I know, Alzheimer’s tends to be a few years once it’s bad whereas dementia can be quite a while. Like I said, though, I’m not very knowledgeable and I suspect each case is different. Talk to her doc.

Whether you agree or disagree, why not leave your own thoughts below.

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Question posed by Christina T: If someone has Alzheimer’s Disease but has led a pretty full life are they in Integrity or Despair?
I studying Erikson’s theory and am trying to write a paper on a particular person but I can’t ask her any questions because she is at end-stage Alzheimer’s.

The No 1 answer:

Answer by kmccall76
I do not think that Alzheimer’s determines if the person is in integrity or despair. You mentioned that the person had a full life so I would guess they were (are) in integrity.

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Question by RickNY: How long does dementia take to stop all signals and end a life?
I know there’s no set timetable, but at least some averages would help. I’d like to think of dementia’s onset as similar to a plane beginning its descent, but we don’t know if it’s coming down from 20,000 feet or 60,000 feet. We’re just beginning to cope with my father having this condition.

Top answer:

Answer by Bec
I guess it depends on the person. My grandfather lived with it for 2-3 years before he passed away. He had no idea who i was in the end, he had no idea who my grandmother was either. .

It was heartbreaking to see my grandfather in his final weeks. But i look at it from the point of view that know he is at peace. You need to cherish each moment you have and try too remember what he was like when he wasnt sick.

My condolences go out to you and your family. Good luck and god bless

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The top answer:

Answer by starherb1
Progressive degeneration of the brain resulting in the reduction of mental and social functioning and requiring daily supervision. Some insurers do not cover other organic brain disorders and psychological illnesses while others require the client to need a minimum of eight hours of daily supervision. Progressive mental deterioration characterized by confusion, disorientation, loss of memory, impaired ability to calculate, and visual-spatial deficits. It usually begins in late middle life and results in death in 5-10 years. Alzheimer’s accounts for some 60-70% of senile dementias.

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