Alzheimer's: The Caregiver's Perspective

Comments · 495

• CZ

  @czarinaczar · 5 years ago (edited)

  Best thing is to hire a caregiver if you can afford it, even part-time, especially if it is advanced Alzheimer's. Your own health will be greatly affected, if you do not. Prayers to all. 🙏🏾

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• KR

  @kristinebailey2804 · 5 years ago

  My children's step grandmother had it and was placed in a care home. One day when they visited her, she told them a horse had come to visit her. Of course they thought "Wow, she's REALLY going downhill." Nope, it turned out after talking to caregivers there, a therapy horse had come to visit just like they sometimes bring in dogs or cats.

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• KE

  @kenneyhayes2 · 3 years ago

  My Mom died almost two years ago with late on-set Alzheimer's.  It's taken me almost that long to be able to talk about it.  As a writer, I felt it might be important to journal all of the changes and what worked for me to help and what didn't work.  I was the care giver for a few years.  Her downward spiral with this late on-set diagnosis was rapid.  I cared for her four years then moved her to a facility.  That was hard.  Almost as hard as selling my childhood home where my mother from the "great generation" rarely let anything go.  As it turned out three of my friends were going through this with their mothers.  Being childhood friends, we all journaled and ended up writing a book about it.  When Mom died I couldn't go near it.  As I reviewed my part in the editing process, I fell apart because of all the things I missed and how I treated her because of my "schedule" and my "selfishness."  Over time, I have learned to forgive myself but it is still hard to talk about.  Thanks to the Alzheimer's Association support, they made my journey easier with knowledge and information.  Videos like this and others helped.  I didn't feel so alone seeing others stories.  I'm forever grateful to the Alzheimer's Association.

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• US

  @user-eb9cm9jb4m · 6 years ago

  Makes you realise we should be more appreciative of our care workers and also be more patient and understanding as people

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• VI

  @Visitor2Earth · 6 years ago (edited)

  I was the primary for my Dad, until the last year of his life (from alzheimers).  IT WAS HARD...DAMN HARD! I still cry when I think of how impatient I was when I was over extended, over tired and living on about 4 hours of sleep a day. After Dad died, I was the primary caregiver for my Mom who had pretty nasty mental health issues. Mom died in 2017 from a stroke.  Being an adult caregiver for anyone, especially elderly folks like my parents, is incredibly difficult.

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• BA

  @batshevanivylerner8582 · 5 years ago

  the stress and responsibility are overwhelming.

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• LE

  @letyp5819 · 5 years ago

  I feel like it’s not my mom anymore. It makes  me very sad. She used to be my rock now she just sings the same song and talks to me about her childhood. When I say something she stares at me and doesn’t understand. I feel very alone.

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• DE

  @deanawells4395 · 7 years ago

  The scary part is America is not prepared for the wave of people are getting ready to be in the system for this disease and we don’t have the resources to handle this crisis

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• PH

  @PHanomaly · 7 years ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcBH077AEm8&amp;t=1920">32:00</a>. &quot;I think you constantly have to be grieving, otherwise you&apos;re in denial.&quot;

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• GU

  @Gutter_Flower · 7 years ago

  What a cruel, cruel disease. :(

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• LU

  @lucyjones955 · 8 years ago

  God bless the caregiver

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• PH

  @PHanomaly · 7 years ago

  Fortunately, as my 92 yo moms memory gets worse, her stubborn controlling attitudes have lightened, and she can be a joy to talk to. &nbsp;Just keep it simple, folks. As long as they are safe, their stories are their truths so no need to correct them. &nbsp;I dont care who she thinks shes talking to, lol!

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