A cruel disease
@1creekgirl (44560)
United States
July 11, 2017 10:07am CST
My aunt who has Alzhiemer's has recently been sent to a nursing home. Her husband, my uncle, was taking care of her at home (with help from several of us), but one day he was at the grocery store and a relative found that my aunt couldn't come to the door.
She had fallen and the Rescue Squad took her to the hospital. My uncle did the best he could for her, but his mind is quickly becoming as bad as her's.
He wouldn't let Home Health come in and help with her and he'd only allow very little help from the rest of us. We'd take meals, but he wouldn't let anyone help her shower or wash her hair or clean the house.
He's adjusting much better than I was afraid he would. It's so sad to see my aunt being afraid of a strange place.
None of us have the decision of when God is ready for us (short of taking our own lives), but I pray if I get Alzhiemer's, He will be merciful and take me home to heaven.
It's a cruel and heartless disease and it's actually harder in a lot of ways for the loved ones than it is for the patient.
Before my mother died from Alzhiemer's, I asked her one day if she knew who I was. She thought for a moment, then said, "Of course I do. You're the pretty one." I never asked her that again.
25 people like this
24 responses
@Marilynda1225 (91080)
• United States
11 Jul 17
Yes Alzheimers is a horrible disease and although my mom didn't have Alzehimers per se she did have dementia and it was difficult to see her forget so many things. When you say it's cruel and heartless you are so right. I'm so sorry to hear that your aunt has been moved into a nursing home.
5 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
11 Jul 17
Thanks, Marilyn. Is your mom still living?
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
11 Jul 17
I have heard this disease is very cruel Vicki.
Sorry to hear about your aunt, uncle and Mom.
4 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
11 Jul 17
Thank you, Tiara. It runs in my family, so it's scary.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
11 Jul 17
@1creekgirl I know it runs in families so indeed it would be of great concern to you Vicky. I hope it passes over you.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
11 Jul 17
Its a very cruel illness and one poor lady still thinks that she is sitll a famous star and treats everyone else like they are as well.
One lady I knew actually knew that she had that illness and she tried her utmost to fight it herself but she could´nt.
When she came to visit us one day over from England she said thank you for the holiday in Germany it was wonderful.
Her relatives brought her over to see us while they were here.
2 people like this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
11 Jul 17
@1creekgirl
Sadly she passed away.
I knew another woman much much younger and she also had that and passed away too.
Its so cruel to me.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
11 Jul 17
I'm glad she has family who still take her on visits with them.
1 person likes this
@DanieGirl80587 (2724)
• United States
11 Jul 17
My family is going through it with my husband's grandmother who is getting worse and worse every day. It really is a horrible disease. :-(
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
11 Jul 17
It truly is terrible. My prayers are there for your grandmother.
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
11 Jul 17
Im so sorry about your Aunt, and your Uncle.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
11 Jul 17
@1creekgirl thought i edited this.. sorry for your moms passing too.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
12 Jul 17
It is sad that so many have to deal with that or dimentia either in their own life, or within their family, and then the person involved misses out on so much. For me. I am hoping it will never hit me, but then at the same time, I never know as my Mom had dimentia so trying to keep aware of any changes as I get older for sure.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
19 Jul 17
i dread this disease so much also. i have told everyone i would rather die quickly then not know my family
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
19 Jul 17
I think we all feel that way. It's heartbreaking.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
17 Jul 17
I think that was a great answer your mother gave you, there could have been so many that would have left you devastated. My mom has dementia and these days she doesn't know who I am.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
17 Jul 17
I'm so sorry. I think that's one among many of the saddest things about this disease.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
12 Jul 17
Neither my parents now my husband's had that disease, thank God. My xFIL did and early on he did some very funny things....he stole the newspaper from the neighbor's box every day and thought no one knew!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
12 Jul 17
@1creekgirl He thought it was funny, but he didn't know better.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
15 Jul 17
They took good care of each other for over 60 years.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
18 Jul 17
it is so disheartening to see our love ones suffer from this dreadful disease. that is why i try to recall everything that i can so that my brain cells won't get the disease.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
19 Jul 17
It's good to keep your brain active.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
12 Jul 17
A wonderful answer your mother gave you.
It is very cruel! I have seen several of my elders suffer with it and you are right it is hard on the family, the one they love most gets the worst of it, they get the anger that comes with this disease.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
12 Jul 17
I see you've had experience with this horrible disease.
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Jul 17
I'm so sorry, but I think you made the best choice. Aunt will have care this way - and it will make uncle's quality of life better
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
14 Jul 17
It's sad that my aunt doesn't know where she is, but my uncle is adjusting better than I was afraid he would.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208906)
• United States
12 Jul 17
My Uncle has Alzheimers. It is so sad. He is now like a baby. He knows no one. I feel really bad about the situation as he is quite a bit younger than my dad.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
12 Jul 17
It's always heartbreaking to see a loved one like that.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
11 Jul 17
I'm so sorry your family is going through this. More and more, I'm convinced that we extend life way past what we should and the brain just wears out. I wish no one had to go through this. I hope I'm gone long before my mind deserts me. I can't imagine your pain when you heard your mother's answer.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
11 Jul 17
It was very sad at the time. I also hope I die before my mind gets like that, but who knows.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
11 Jul 17
so saddened to hear that'd he'd not accept help, though i can 'nderstand his reasonin'. hopefully she'll get settled. yer correct, 'tis'n awful disease. the caretakers hearts 're broken 's they struggle to keep 'em home 'n they lose that battle, too.
the neighbor that used to live 'cross the road (rest her soul) went through such with her momma 'n then later her hubs. pained me greatly fer me to watch her do her best. once they were'n the nursin' home, she went 3 times a day to tend to 'em best she could 'n they ne'er knew who she was.1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
11 Jul 17
Another sad account. I think the worst part is when they no longer know the people they loved.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68246)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
11 Jul 17
It is a cruel and sad disease, that is harder for the relatives and loved ones to cope with than the person suffering with it. It is hereditary in my family as well, and it scares me.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
11 Jul 17
I've had several family members with it, so I understand how you feel.
@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
12 Jul 17
It is a very difficult disease. It is very sad. That was so sweet of your mother. You are the pretty one.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
12 Jul 17
Thanks. My sister was always a tom boy and I was the girly girl.
1 person likes this
