Posted by Diane C.-TX on February 12, 2009, 2:22 pm, in reply to "Mom has early stage Alzheimer's disease"
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My 80 year mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's >15 years ago. She and my dad have been married nearly 58 years now. She was a very vivacious person always helping out in her family, church and community. My siblings and I have wanted her and my dad to move in with any of us but they did not want to leave their home. They live in Maryland and we are spread from Texas thru Florida. They want to stay in their "dream house" until they die. They live a very structured life and my dad still cares for her 24/7. I call her every day because she seems to recognize my voice. If I talk to her on Skype, I am able to maintain more attention from her by plopping my dog on my lap or showing her stuffed animals and dolls. Despite everything, she is still a happy person and very nurturing to her dolls and stuffed animals. It was hard watching her forget that she was ever married, or even had seven children. It's a slow and arduous process, but you still can maintain a relationship with her. It was very difficult for me and my siblings to honor my dad's wishes of letting him care for her until he dies. We do visit to give him some respite care. My dad's profound love toward my mom has all of us in awe. I feel your love for your mom and I feel your pain.
and prayers, ~Lady Di
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