Forgeting how to read and write.

[servant41]

I spoke to my mother, who lives in South Carolina,,Thanksgiving Morning. I live in Alabama. I recently learned about 2 months ago that she was Diagnosed with Alzheimers. Although my wife and I knew that something was wrong a year or 2 ago with her memory.
Anyhow, she told me the phone that she has forgotten how to write letters and numbers, and that she sometimes forgets how to read. She is taking meds for the Alzheimers. She doesn't live alone. She is married. She doesn't work. She is on disability for her Fibromyalga. She drives only localy, and then never at night.
With her forgetting how to write and sometimes read, does this mean that it is porgressing quicker than usual?
This is very hard on her, being a person who did bookeeping and accounting for the better part of 20 years.
Thanks, Eric.

[rumpled]

There are websites that give the staging... although one can "be" in several stages at once as they are progressing if that makes sense? Different things may progress at different times is what I mean. Plus diet and other factors can make then regress a bit faster - thyroid, vitamin B12 deficiency etc. all need to be checked and they need to eat well which is difficult.

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp
Alzheimers is a type of dementia and dementia has different stages.

[Tootsie]

Eric, there are some things that you need to clarify with your mother before this condition progresses further.

Are all the legal decisions made? Does someone she trusts have power of attorney over her financial affairs? This requires the services of an attorney in most states. Has she signed a document called a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?

This is a legal document but does not require the services of an attorney although it is best to have it notarized and witnessed. It spells out, in detail, and legally enforceable language, just what kinds of treatment she wants in the end stages of life. A "Do Not Resuscitate" order is NOT enough. That only states what should be done if her heart stops.

Other issues, are what is to be done if she can no longer chew and swallow food? Would she want a surgical opening into her stomach so she can be nourished by a tube? If she develops pneumonia, does she want to be treated, even if that treatment requires intravenous antibiotics and a ventilator to breathe for her? Even if there is no hope of recovery, does she want to be kept alive at all possible cost? This can happen if she suffers a stroke, heart attack or other critical event.

Keep in mind, that as the condition progresses, strangers, new situations and even the slightest discomfort, can be very frightening. At some point, no one will be able to explain to her what, or why, the doctor or other health professional is doing what they are doing, to her.

Medications may or may not help her level of functioning. Some can have undesirable side effects and the cost may not be worth it. From what you have said, she does not live alone. That is fortunate, but keep in mind that whoever is living in the same household will need consideration of their own needs, as your Mom becomes more and more disabled. I would be concerned about her ability to read road signs, especially if there is any change, like a new stop sign where previously there was none.

At one time, we had a member with Alzheimer's Disease, postiing here, by the name of Snowy Lynn or River (I think). She still was able to have her own check book but it had a limit as to how big the checks could be.

Be sure that you plan to visit her soon. You will want her to fill in the blanks on any family tree, information and addresses of distant relatives, identify persons in old photographs, etc.

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with information and details. These are just the things that I, and others, have found helpful over the long haul. Cheerio.

[servant41]

Her husband has all of those things taken care of. At least I hope he does. As for me. Living some 600 miles away, There is not a whole lot that I can do from here.

[Jo6]

I have missed you and am glad you came back to let us know how your Mom is. I don't want to offend you, but it might be worth a trip out to see your Mom. that way you could ask these questions, it might be worth a try.

things can get so out of kilter it is terrible. You're Mom needs someone to speak for her. In view of your talk with her on Thanksgiving Day may be her way of telling you something is not right.

I don't know these things, you will have to be the judge of that. I do hope you will come back and let us know how you, your wife and the "wee little ones" are. Also how Mom is doing. Thank you for coming in today. you take care and let us know, ok?

take care, Jo

[servant41]

Sure thing Jo. She called today and left a message on my Cell. I will need to call her back.
As for my family. Being 40 and JUST beging to start a family is quite a shock. My wife and I were married for 14 years before we got pregnant. Thanks to a gastric bypass surgery for her, and devine intervention; we are now having our 2nd in 2 years. Due March 6th, 2008. Another girl.
By the way, I am the owner and operator of a Tourettes Syndrome support group on Yahoo. And have been for about 7 1/2 years now. I have TS. Let me know if you would like to check it out.