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Hi, BlueRose... and welcome. I'm sorry to hear that your father is showing signs of Alzheimer's. I think you'll find a wealth of information and help here... glad you came.

Hi Blue - My father's journey in Alzheimer's began in 1987. It was almost unnoticable for a while. He would forget places and names, but that in itself certainly does not indicate the disease, and he did not, at that time, have a diagnosis. My dad passed away 10 years later (last stages of alzheimers, but in excellent physical condition.)-pneumonia caused his death. But my mom, my sister and I went the whole nine yards with dad in this disease. He was only in a nursing home the last 4 months of his life. He passed away in 1997.

The first thing I would ask you - does your father live alone? Then we can all maybe give you some of our experiences and things we found helpful in that journey. We've been in your shoes - we know how they fit. We're here for you.

Sunny

Welcome to this group. I know you'll find a lot of help
and love here. Glad you could join us.

MizKat or Kat

I am glad you joined early in the dementia stage. That way you will not be so alarmed nor take it so seriously. I wish I had this group when it first started. There was lots of anger and hard feelings because we didn't know my mother in law was ill and would get "facts" mixed up. Some of the family thought she was playing each other against each other when in fact, she "thought" what she was saying was true.

Now we know, we can take it one step at a time and know she cannot help it.

My MIL went through the same thing your dad is doing. We took her shopping one time and she almost got us arrested because we had abandoned her when in fact she told me to go into a store and she wanted to sit out on the bench. When I got back out she was yelling to everyone that my husband and I had left her for 4 hours and abandoned her and there was a crowd around her ready to call 911 and report us. I had been inside the store maybe 16 minutes and it was a strip mall store so I could see her on the bench at all times. It was scary for us and we were furious with her
thinking she was just trying to get attention. In fact, she had lost all sense of time and sincerely thought we had done what she said.

So be careful when you take him with you if he is "roaming". He can get lost even in the restroom.

Good luck, and learn from our mistakes and solutions.
We are here for you!

Vicki

Welcome to the group! You will find many friends here that are concerned about you and yours. Those of us who have seen our loved ones to the end of their journey will understand what you are going through, as well as those who are where you are at this point.

I would suggest that you learn every thing you can about the disease, try not to be surprised by any behavior, and when comical things happen, (and they will), enjoy the laughter. Some of the things my husband did was just plain funny. I can still remember them with smiles.

Best wishes to you,
Marie

Happy Birthday, Blue Rose.

How is your dad?

Dear Blue Rose,

I also have dementia, but I am more advanced than "early stage." I have had a diagnosis of dementia since 1995, and as you can see, I am still alive, on my computer every single day, and planning to be living here in my own house for years to come.

Eight years ago I helped to found a nonprofit corporation that advocates for people with dementia, and particularly for people with early-onset dementia. We try to help change the horrible stigma attached to the term dementia and to reach out to others in our condition who feel lonely, confused and isolated. We are a Yahoo group (unfortunately, because I hate Yahoo), and we have an independent website (http://www.dasninternational.org), and we hold chats twice daily at view link

If I can be of assistance to you or your dad, please feel free to write to me at csaxonm@gmail.com

Carole

Thank you for sharing your experiences an knowledge with others.

Everyone, please check out www.dasinternational.org