I have been engaged for almost a year now. I have put planning my wedding off to help care for my mother. My number one priority is that she is safe, doesn't get lost, least amount of confusion as possible, doesn't feel uncomfortable around people who don't know her or might treat differently because of her Alzheimer's. Do people with Alzheimer's do OK at events with over 100 people or am I better off only having immediate family only?
I just took my dad to my daughter's wedding last weekend. I stayed in the room with him at the hotel, but the day of the wedding, I hired an aide to be at his side. My dad also has bladder cancer so his needs are great. I wanted to enjoy being mother of the bride and not caregiver for one day!
I found a wonderful woman who stayed with him from 9 in the morning till 9 at night. It was the best decision I ever made. He got to see and be with family, and I didn't have to worry all day long!!!!!
Kathi
I agree, depending on the stage of the disease. My mom went to her granddaughters wedding two years ago and we put her in a horrible situation. We had no idea how frightened she would be. We called friends to come and pick her and my stepfather up. It honestly broke my heart, it was too many people and too loud for her. Love, Doreen
My mother attended my wedding. We hired one of the off duty nurses/caregivers at the place where she stays. So she knew the woman that was with her. At the ceremony, she stayed for the speaches and my dad took her hands and they just swayed in one spot during the opening song. She was smiling alk the way. Then she and the caregiver went home cause she gets tired very quickly. It was the best decision I made to make her part of my wedding. You just have to modify your wedding a little bit. Keep your speeches short, my fotos only took 30min so she (and the other guests) didnt have to wait so long.
Plan the wedding YOU want. Allocate someone else to take care of your mother on the day. Plan ahead so she's comfortable with them. My Dad went to my wedding 3 years ago, half blind and very confused. Family took care of him, but he walked me down the "aisle". It was a small wedding but beyond the immediate family he knew no one. Your mother will be surrounded by the people she knows, the quantity of the others won't matter. Don't put off your wedding. Do it now while your mother can be part of it and may even remember it.
Hope all is well one day At time have a good day