Right after I wrote this morning, we entered into what can best be described as a period of chaos and stress.
Dotty's temperature started to climb steadily, all the way to 99.6 (Dotty's core temperature is 97.6). In addition, Dotty couldn't move her right arm. She was experiencing severe pain in the arm, particularly around her wrist. I discovered this when I was trying to move Dotty to change her briefs (also known as incontinence wear, and diapers). Dotty could not move that arm.
As a result, I could not get her new brief off, nor could I get her...
Sometimes Sheri is surprised by Bob's lack of understanding. Yesterday Bob saw a good size pile of twigs and leaves in the yard, he went into the garage and got the snow shovel and started to dump it in the garbage can. Sheri caught him just in time and said "lets not put it in there lets put it out back in the woods" (brush is not allowed in with regular trash) Sheri looked away for a moment, and when she looked back "Al" was removing all of the regular plastic trash bags from the garbage can. Sheri said "that part is okay, it is garbage. Bob stood there his jaw clenched tight, thumb in his belt loop stretching out his back from the pain then in clear frustration, started placing the bags one by one back in the can.
Its a new day, and I continue to deal with the situation.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Dotty is resting comfortably. So comfortable that she is not moving. It is getting very difficult to move her, as she won't cooperate, and she doesn't like it.
Her temperature is up a touch, so I am watching that closely.
She is not talking, although she occasionally says a few words.
She is not responding when I talk to her. Sometimes she opens her eyes, most times she doesn't.
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Dotty is continuing to decline slowly, but surely.
The Obama administration plan to end Alzheimer’s disease by the year 2025 was announced May 15, 2012 by Health and Human Services SecretaryKathleen Sebelius. The plan pledges millions of dollars for researchers as well as for those providing care and services for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Sebelius said in the announcement that, "What we know is that a lot more needs to be done and it...
I am now saying this with confidence. Even though Dotty won't be able to say my name, or might ask me, who are you?, Dotty will know me.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Dotty is resting comfortably right now, although her breathing is labored. It is very difficult for me to give you an assessment because at times I feel confused.
The biggest news so far is that out of the clear blue sky, Dotty ate a scrambled egg yesterday. For almost a week, I could not get her to eat anything even though I tried everything under the sun.
When she agreed to eat water melon, we turned the corner on the pattern. She went from refusing to eat, to eating.
Critics Call Government's Alzheimer's Plan Unrealistic and More
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Critics Call Government's Alzheimer's Plan Unrealistic -- ABC News
"It's great to have the attention drawn to the disease and have a temporary blip in funding," Dr. Samuel Gandy, a professor of Alzheimer's disease research at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, told ABC News. "But this is at least an order of magnitude off the figure that is likely to have meaningful impact." Read More
New Drug Trial Seeks to Stop Alzheimer’s Before It...
...Teeth were another huge issue. Dad had worn dentures for many decades. He had little bone left to support the dentures, but I kept "gluing them in" with a tooth bonding cream. However, he managed to lose his lower plate. This is common in nursing homes, since elders will often take out an uncomfortable plate when they eat. Then, if the denture is not noticed, it will go in the garbage with the leftover food. In Dad's case, I believe he may have gotten annoyed with his denture and thrown it in his own garbage can. Whatever the reason, it could not be found, so off to the dentist we went. ...
“This is a national plan—not a federal one, because reducing the burden of Alzheimer’s will require the active engagement of both the public and private sectors.”
Alzheimer's Reading Room
The plan, presented today at the Alzheimer’s Research Summit 2012: Path to Treatment and Prevention, was developed with input from experts in aging and Alzheimer’s disease issues and calls for a comprehensive, collaborative approach across federal, state, private and non-profit organizations.
More than 3,600 people or organizations submitted comments on the draft plan.
I would be interested in your comment on the HHS’ new website, ...
On Mothers Day daughter number one ( the one who wears her heart on her sleeve) volunteered to stay home with Bob and "Al" while Sheri went out for a while with daughter number two (the one who shields her heart with her sleeve). It was very nice to get a way for a few hours and not worry about anything. She loves her children very much and she is very proud of all three of them. On the way home Sheri and daughter number one decided to stopped to get some flowers for around the fountain. Sheri had Bob and daughter number two help fill the flower pots with dirt. Sheri was a little worried they may not have enough dirt, and spoke her concern out loud. "Al" overheard her and responded in his confident way, "well don't worry, if we run out of dirt we can just fill the pots the rest of the way with butterflies." :)
I'm re-learning something important here. I'm learning that the dementia clock is very different than the clock in the real world. Relative time is very different for the ill dementia patient. You have to be extremely patient, more patient than most of us can normally stand.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
It's 4 o'clock in the morning, I am awake. I slept for about 4 hours. I still had that heavy feeling when I woke up, but I was anxious to check Dotty out, and now I am wide awake.
Dotty is still with us, and is comfortable.
The truth right now I am a bit confused. Dotty had her best night in the last week plus. No moaning or talking, just rest.
All though our time was quiet, it was very nice.
We are in a stage where words don’t matter much… just being together is enough.
These are some photos of my daughter with her grandma… Precious ...
Resveratrol is derived from plants and is found in highest levels in red wine and the skin of red grapes. The Copenhagen City Heart Study (Treutlen et al 2002) reported that monthly and weekly consumption of red wine is associated with a lower risk of dementia.
Alzheimer's Reading Room
A phase II clinical trial examining the effects of resveratrol on individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease has begun recruiting new participants.
More than two dozen academic institutions are participating (see the list below).
Resveratrol is derived from plants and is found in its highest concentration in red wine and the skin of red grapes.
Sheri was only able to bring a few plants with her from her "Life through the Fence Post " garden.The garden she had to leave behind with the foreclosure of their family home. She has been waiting patiently to see if any of them survived the hasty transplant in November right before the frozen tundra froze over. About three weeks ago she was thrilled to see that her clematis was growing quickly up the arch in her new "not quite her garden' garden. There were several small and weak vines but none the less it made her heart happy, it gave here a feeling of a re-birthing of sorts and it had the first tiny flower bud on it. Yesterday afternoon Bob was trying to do something nice for Sheri. "Al" had the weed whacker and in just an instant the clematis was gone. Anger swept over her and she wept. She realized it was not just about the clematis, it was about all the things it represents.The loses this past year and the feeling that Alzheimer's has ripped the roots of her life right out...
I was “introduced” to you not long after Great Grams passed. You have kept alive for me the real life day-to-day coexistence with someone who is deeply forgetful.
I lost Great Grams when I was only ten. While I don’t think my memories of her fade, I know you were instrumental in reminding me about her, each and every day. You entered my life just about the time that my decision to devote my life to helping Alzheimer’s patients was being made. You strengthened my decision with every story, every video, and every cinch cast.
You confirmed my belief that there was “more there.” I could hear it in your singing and see it in your beautiful coloring.
Dotty was born about 20 blocks from the famous Wanamaker's department store in Philadelphia where the first big Mother's Day celebration was held in the United States. Dotty is 94 years old this Mother's day and will soon be 95....
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
May, 2011
Anna Marie Jarvis
Mother's Day was first established in the United States by Anna Marie Jarvis, following the death of her mother Ann Jarvis on May 9, 1905. She had the help of Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker.
The first official Mother's day took place in 1908. It was celebrated in Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia where Anna's...
When Joanne went into Dotty's room she was basically out it. I said rather loudly, Mom, Joanne is here. Dotty's eyes snapped wide open and she started talking to Joanne.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Dotty
Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's around the World. A special wish to all of the mother's on this website.
Dotty is still with us this morning. Happy Mother's Day mom.
A special thank you to everyone in the Alzheimer's Reading Room for your kind thoughts, words of encouragement, and prayers.
Dotty is still with us this morning. Dotty did open her...
karen
05/13/2012 - 7:49am
http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk/OK-OklahomaandArkansas?px=6221126&pg=personal&fr_id=1573
Happy Mothers Day ! This is the first mom's day without mom. I was ok till today. Yesterday I was busy with my son . He took me to a Razorback Baseball Game for Mom's Day. One of my Favorite things to do is go to a game with him. This picture is of all of us. Looks like I was a hand full even back than. Yes I am the baby of the family. Can't you tell? Spoiled rotten.
At my new job I get to take my clients or friends really where ever they need to go and one of my ladies likes to visit a friend in an assisted living facility. This Friday the facility had a new lady and all the time we were there she was getting up from...
Sheri was working in her "not her garden" garden. She needed to mow around the fountain so she picked up the wooden border around it. While she was mowing Bob picked up the border and wrapped it around the post leg of the swing. A few minutes later Sheri sat down on the swing to take a break and Bob sat down with her. "Al" looks down and says "well now that looks cute... why did you only wrap one?" :)
Dear Readers: Many of you have mothers who are in assisted living centers or nursing homes. You may be able to bring them to your home or take them out for dinner for Mother’s Day. However, a significant number of you realize that taking your own mother out of her environment will only distress her. If your mother has dementia, she may not even understand what you are doing or why this day is different from all the others.Under any circumstances, there’s real anguish in watching the...
