The Alzheimer's Digest: Alzheimer's Disease Products

By Virginia F.

My older (by one year) sister, Lucyann, now 60, was diagnosed when she was 58. She was a well-liked (by peers and students) professor, a great daughter and the best sister anyone could have. She cared for my dad during the last 10 years of his life, while she was still teaching and/or working at the university, until his death about four years ago.

During the last three years, we started to notice that she was angry a lot, particularly with my Mom, for whom she had absolutely no patience. She would not go to work and claimed headaches and/or migraines. She took a lot of naps and always went to bed early. She would spend a lot of time watching TV, the same happy-ending movies or tv shows, over and over. She was a great baker, but her cakes were definitely not the same. When she stopped paying her bills, we realized something was very wrong and we convinced her to see a psychologist. To make a long story short, the psychologist ordered a lot of tests and referred her to a neurologist, and there it was -- FTD. She retired from work and applied for Social Security Disability, which was granted about 9 months later. She cannot live with my mother, and my mother cannot live alone, so we had to separate them.

My Mom lives with my brother because she cannot live by herself anymore. Social Security is not enough to cover my Mom’s bills, so we are selling her house to pay for her care. Lucy has reached the stage in which she cannot be alone either, so she spends time in Puerto Rico, Tennessee and Massachusetts where some of my siblings and I care for her. We are still figuring her out. Her diet has changed -- sweets, soda, pizza and hot dogs have become her favorite foods – so she has gained weight and we had to upgrade her wardrobe. We never know when she will agree to exercise (mainly walk), but she will always agree to go shopping or to the movies. She has lost empathy and there are absolutely no filters, especially between brain and mouth. There is no secret she is able to keep.

I miss her phone calls, advice, hugs... I miss talking to her. I can’t figure out what she is thinking when she is staring into space, and I think that she is actually unable to tell me. I hope she is somewhat happy. I hope she feels safe and cared for. I hope she feels how much we love her.

Dementia Signage for the Home

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Weekly Planner (Bright Pink) Memo Pad

$30.95

Weekly To Do List Notepad (White)

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EZ-C Bold Yellow Weekly To Do List Notepad

Red Dry Erase Board

Dementia Signage for the Home

Behavior Triggers Log (Sky Blue) Memo Note Pad

Bathroom Door Sign-Temporary/Reusable Wall Skins

Calendar Appointment Reminder Stickers (White)

Canned Foods Shelf Sign/ Bumper Stickers

Daily Pain Journal (Sky Blue) Memo Notepad

Daily Fatigue Journal (Sky Blue) Scratch Pads

$22.75 - Financial Records Organizer Vinyl Binder

$22.75 - EZ-C Bright Green 3 Ring Binder

Living with Alzheimer's disease is a challenge for anyone. It's difficult to remember things, make decisions, and find your way around the way you used to. It can be frustrating a good deal of the time, but there are good days and bad days. Here are some helpful tips and things you can do to make things easier for yourself -- to make things feel a bit more normal again.

How Do I Cope With My Memory Problems?

To help cope with memory problems:

Always keep a book with you to record important information, phone numbers, names, ideas you have, appointments, your address, and directions to your home.
Place sticky notes around the house when you need to remember things.
Label cupboards and drawers with words or pictures that describe their contents.
Place important phone numbers in large print next to the phone.
Ask a friend or family member to call and remind you of important things that you need to do in the day, like meal times, medication times, and appointments.
Use a calendar to keep track of time and to remember important dates.
Use photos of people you see often labeled with their names.
Keep track of phone messages by using an answering machine.

What's the Best Way to Plan the Day?

In planning your day:

Find things to do that you enjoy and are able to do safely on your own.
It will be easier to accomplish tasks during the times of the day when you feel best.
Allow yourself the time to do the things you need to do, and don't feel rushed or let other people rush you.
If something gets too difficult, take a break.
Ask for help if you need it.

How Do I Avoid Getting Lost?

To keep from getting lost:

Ask someone to go with you when you go out.
Ask for help if you need it and explain that you have a memory problem.
Always take directions for where you're going with you.

What Will Make Communicating Easier?

Communicating with others will be easier if you:

Always take your time, and don't feel rushed.
If you need to, ask the person you're speaking with to repeat what he/she is saying or to speak slowly if you do not understand.
Avoid distracting noises, and find a quiet place to talk.

What About Driving?

Driving can be of particular concern for Alzheimer's patients. Here are some things to consider:

Have someone else drive you where you need to go.
If you tend to get lost or confused easily, consider alternative modes of transportation.
Drive only in areas that are familiar to you.
Contact organizations like the Alzheimer's Association to learn what local transportation services are available.
The Department of Motor Vehicles will assess your driving skills if you're not sure whether you should drive.
At some point, it may no longer be safe for you to drive.

How Do I Take Care of Myself at Home?

To make sure you are well taken care of at home, put some of these measures into place early so they become routine:

Local Alzheimer organizations or your doctor will be able to tell you how to get help with things like shopping, housekeeping, meals (including home-delivered meals), and transportation.
Ask a neighbor you trust to keep a set of house keys.
Ask a friend or family member to help you to organize your closets and drawers to make it easier for you to find things.
Ask a family member to check things out around the house, such as electrical appliances, mail, and perishable food items.
Keep a list of important and emergency numbers by the phone.
Have family, friends, or a community service program call or visit daily to ensure that everything is all right.
Ask someone to check your smoke alarm regularly.

How Do I Maintain My Responsibilities?

Arrange for direct deposit of checks, such as your retirement pension or Social Security benefits.
Inform your bank if you have difficulty keeping track of your accounts and record keeping. They may provide special services for people who have Alzheimer's.

It is important to realize that at some point, it will become too difficult or dangerous for you to live by yourself. But, in the earliest stages of the disease, many people do manage on their own -- with support and help from friends, family, and community programs and with simple adjustments and safety practices in place.