Alzheimer's Association | Townhall

Disclaimer: The opinions below are provided by the users of this Web site, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Alzheimer's Association.

Replies below: 15

Evelyn from Texas, no diagnosis

February 17, 2009 — In our small community we have many elderly people, a lot who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. I want to find out how to organize more social opportunities and activities for our community. My husband is in stage six. He still likes to see new people and most of the people in the community will listen to his babbling and treat him with the ultimate respect. He also goes to our daughter's country store and likes to stay awhile to see his "friends".

Darryl from Wisconsin, diagnosed at age 58

August 19, 2008 — I would like contact with others like me with EOAD in Wisconsin, would like to start a support group for EOAD in Madison.

Yvonne from Georgia, not diagnosed

June 25, 2008 —My mother was recently diagnosed with alzheimers she is 76yrs old, she has two sisters who has alzheimers,she lives in Canada so I know she will have a half way decent medical treatment, but this is getting so sad for me because I have a younger aunt who is 51years old and she has tested positive also. I have a brother who still is in denial about our mom and I find it hard to have a proper discussion out it.

Eileen from Pennsylvania, diagnosed at 63

April 24, 2008 —People need to take the time to really interact with conversation. Even when they make no sense, you can comment or express a feeling to help them. It means so much, like they are still a part of humanity. Often you will be pleased with a smile from ear to ear.

Susan from Georgia, diagnosed at 64 but had it at 60

April 24, 2008 —It is devastating to see my husband go from managing multimillion dollar budgets and being responsible for the complete construction of a paper mill from the ground up, to not being able to tell me what day it is, not be able to make change in a restaurant or not be able to recall the words he wants to us in sentences. I pray for the research to: hurry to stop the progression of the disease;to destroy the plaque; to learn to regenerate nerve cells in the brain; & to help victims re learn what they lost. So sad....Just So sad...

Christine from Florida, diagnosed at 56

March 19, 2008 —Since I am the only person I know who has Alzheimer's Disease (recently diagnosed at 56), I wish I could talk on line to other people in my position. I feel like I am the only one who knows what this feels like. I am a registered nurse who worked in a hospital for the last 20 years with hardly any time off. I don't know what to do with all the time on my hands. (How I used to wish for some time off!) What do other people like me do with all of their time.

Margaret from New York, mother-in-law diagnosed at 81

March 2, 2008 —I joined this site. I find it very helpful. My Mother-in-law has been diagnosed with dementia/AD. It's very difficult to get answers..Like what stage are we into? She lives in an assisted living. She's been widowed for 15yrs. It's very difficult on my husband. Thank you for your support.

Website User from California, husband diagnosed at 63

January 14, 2008 —My husband was diagnosed about 5 yrs ago then started having delusional moments and was given a medication called Zyprexia which really helped however he lost some of his personality now he is starting to exhibit inappropriate behavior. What can I do?

Cynthia from Louisiana, husband diagnosed at 60

December 26, 2007 —I'm a 49 year old, I'm concerned about my 63 year old husband who has Alizheimer's.

He was diagnosed about 3 years ago. However at least about 3 years prior to the diagnosis I knew somthing was wrong with him. We've been through some hard times this past 3 years.
The doctor recommended that he be placed in a Nursing Home about a year and 1/2 years ago.

My husband and I done everything together. He is no longer the man I married 15 year ago. He is very confused and most of the time his conversation does not make sense. He has lost a lot of weight, His eating habits have changed along with his personal hygiene. There are times that he doesn't know who I am. It's getting harder for me to take him out in the public (shopping, restaurant etc). I stopped taking him to church about 8 months ago. However he likes to ride in the car and site see.

I'm begining to feel that my life is being put on hold. People tell me that I need to take care of me first, however I feel so guilty when I try to enjoy myself.

I visit him at the nursing home every 2 to 3 days and I feel guilty that he's there.

I'm a customer service supervisor and my job can get stressful and the hours are long however I've got to work to keep the bills paid.

I haven't had a vacation in 3 years because I feel I have to care for the well being of my husband. The nursing home in my opinion cannot care for him the way I can.

Jana from Kansas, diagnosed at 49

November 20, 2007 — I am a 49 year old registered nurse who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. WHAT A SHOCK!

Harold from Illinois, diagnosed recently

October 13, 2007 — I was very thankful for the shares of others opinions concerning help to persons with Alzheimer's disease. I am also, recently, diagnosed with Alzheimer's. As a 74 year old, it's a new experience for me. I practiced Dentistry for 40 years and now need instructions on a new way of living.

Louise from Pennsylvania, husband diagnosed

October 13, 2007 — I did not see anywhere that a care-giver could express their opinion so I am writing my thoughts here. My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers about 8 years ago. He's the happiest man with this disease that I've ever met. But when we go to church, he is virtually ignored by some people because they don't know how to talk with him. My husband has lost his ability to communicate, even though he tries very hard. Sometimes he says things that are completely off the wall and people don't understand so walk away. I believe that the care givers need help just knowing what to do or how to handle such situations. We live in a retirement center so eat with other people at our dinner time. He is comfortable when he's in his "comfort zone" rather than being out of his "comfort zone". His eating habits are not the best. Should I be correcting this? I do attend a support group here where I now live, but I just am not getting answers and maybe there aren't any. Thank you for listening.

James from Minnesota, diagnosed at 42

October 5, 2007 — I am a 47 year-old male diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer's two years ago. I am still in the relatively early stages of the disease.

People ask me what kinds of things I would like to do, and my response is "The same things you like to do."

I want to go to lunch with friends, and talk about the same stuff they do. I want to complain about how our local sports teams are doing, talk about current events, etc.

Essentially, I am no different than the guy I was before my diagnosis - I just now have a name for my memory issues.

Social activity is so important to feeling like a vital part of the world - so please take the time to reach out to someone you know with this disease.

Ann from Illinois, diagnosed at 42

September 22, 2007 — I am a mother caregiver for a 47 year old widowed male with AD. My Husband and myself live with him and his 2 boys age 12 and 14. The need for activities for this age group is essential. It would be nice if there was a companion to get the AD patient out of the house. Like a Big Brother or something like that. This would give some independence to him. He is in the moderate stage. Support groups are mainly for the caregiver or the older adult with AD. Nothing for his age alone.

Rich from California, diagnosed at 66

August 7, 2007 — I'm very fortunate that the Alzheimer's Association referred me to a weekly support group. It is a great source of support and camaraderie plus we do a lot of activities such as outings, meditation, yoga, exercise/balance training, tai chi, art, cognitive exercises, etc. In New York, the Alzheimer's Association chapter there has partnered with the Musuem of Modern Art to do a monthly "Art for Alzheimer's" program. MoMA has received a grant to work with Alzheimer's Associations across the country to partner with museums in other communities. In Colorado, the chapter in Denver has partnered with theaters, symphonies, Major League Baseball, etc., to provide cultural opportunities at little or no cost to persons with AD and their care partners. It would be great to see these models followed in other regions.