Have you had a family member with alzheimers

I can't imagine anything more heartbreaking than having my parent not know who I am, or not knowing who my children are. I have never had Alzheimers touch my life personally, but like you, I have seen people afflicted with this in Nursing Homes I am glad I do not work with these wonderful people as a profession because I would have a hard time with it emotionally.

I don't have a family member with Alzheimers, but have taken care of several patients with different kinds of memory deficits. That's the best way I can put it without divulging any kind of privacy. It is hard to take care of someone with Alzheimers. Family members must be heartbroken when this occurs.

My Gram had this delibitating disease. She would have lapses of memory. I remember one time in particular when I brought my four children to visit her in the nursing home for Halloween. Gram was sitting in her recliner, my aunts were sitting in the chairs on the opposite side of the small room. My children stood beside Gram, my youngest son was hold Gram's hand and patting it gently. My aunts told Gram to give the kids some of her circus peanuts. In a childlike voice my Grandmother said they were hers and she didn't want to share them. After she was told that she would be given more she reluctantly placed one circus peanut in each of the kids bags. Suddenly, a smile came across my Grandmother's face. She looked at my son and said, "I know you. You are my Michael. You have always been careful not to step on Grammy's tubes (she was on oxygen)." There she was. She made an appearance for us. My beloved Grandmother. The kids all gave her a kiss and a hug. I held my hug for as long as I could. I kissed her soft cheek ever so gently. It was our last time to see her.

I took care of my mother-in-law for awhile after she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. At the time I knew very little about the disease. I wish I had known then what I know now. Since her death from a stroke I have been working for an in-home care company and have worked with numerous dementia clients. I see now that there were ways I could have made what was an ordeal at the time a lot easier on her, my husband and myself. In some ways I am glad that she had the stroke when she did, she was still in the earlier stages of the disease and I have now seen what happens as it progresses. It is a horrible, devastating disease and the end stage is a very terrible way to die. To anyone else who is experiencing this with a loved one my heart and prayers are with you.

My great grandpa had alzheimers. I was a kid though so don't really remember a lot except him knowing us sometmes and then a minute or 2 later he didn't. He lived to be 92 years old and was diagnosed several years before.

My grandmother was sick with alzeihmers she passed away last year..My dad was totally heartbroken. There was a complication in her system already that's why she died. She was cute though when she was alie it was like she was having a second childhood. Her therapy was with toys. She couldn't utter a word anymore and she didn't remember anyone but she smiled when you smiled at her and she would frown when you are sad it's like she became more sensitive with other's feelings..the hardest part was acceptance, it's hard to lose your memories and know that another loved one won't be able to remember even in the last mionutes of her life but then again, in heaven, all things will be treasured hope I can see her again once I get there.

:( Yes. my grandmother has alzheimers. It started 2 years ago and until now, she still has alzheimers and worse, she has diabetes too. she's having a hard time just to stand up with her feet coz of diabetes that's why we bought her a wheelchair. My granny was my first mom. She took care of me when I was little since my parents were away most of the time. She even retired her career as a librarian and a social studies teacher at a public school who she worked for 40 years.She took care of me. Taught me very good values like attending mass every Sunday, respecting my parents and being good to others always. Now that she has alzheimers, its so hard when that person can't even remember your name!
:( i really love my granny. and I hope that somewhere, wherever she can recover her memories. I hope she misses me just like how I miss her..:( Her mind now is a mind of a child turning to a teenager and trapped in a 70 y.o woman's body. it really hurts.

Unfortunately, my MIL was diagnosed as having early signs of Alzheimer's. She is a wonderful woman, and I can't even think about what the future brings for her in the next few years. She is on a medicine to try to slow down the disease, and it seems to be doing some good, but you just never know.

My inlaws live about 3 hours away from us, so we try to get up there for a full weekend once a month. It's hard with the kids activities and such, but I feel it is very important for the girls to see their grandma now, while she's still with us.

She was also diagnosed with Parkinson's last week... so she's got a lot on her plate.

My great aunt had alzheimers. She and her husband had to sleep in different beds because she did not remember him, very sad.

I lived with an aunt with alzheimers. It began a few years ago and her memory has gotten progressively worse. I needed alot of patience because she forgets things she says, eats, and she will be looking for something and then ask me what she was looking for. It is more the recent things that she is forgetful about. If you ask about the past she can remember everything, she even repeats herself many times. Now she is in a nursing home because she suffers from osteoporosis and can't remember to take her medicine and her meals and I am not staying with her any more.