My mother has Alzheimer's--or dementia--no doctor has definitely diagnosed her with Alzheimer's since the only definitive diagnosis comes from an autopsy. The closest diagnosis we were given was "patient has symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's" following MRI and PET scans. That is okay with me, though. As far as I have discovered, the symptoms vary regardless of which disease is responsible, and the treatments are generally the same. At least, this has been the case with my mother.
I am hoping the things that I write in this blog can be helpful to other people who are facing this disease. There is plenty of information out there about Alzheimer's and care giving. I am in no way unique, except that I am. Every person facing this intense and challenging part of life is living in their own unique situation, and I feel for you.
When my mother was still living on her own but starting to need help a little help with managing bills, I was just pregnant with my last child. By the time he was 2 years old, we had moved Mom into my home, and she was needing help with many daily activities.
And there I was...a member of the sandwich generation. I was sandwiched between children ranging in ages 1 thru 15 all needing individual attention and a mother needing more and more care. The balancing act began.
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