My husband is 55 and in the early toward mid stages. We talk about the disease - usually to explain why he gets confused or doesn't remember something he just asked 5 mins ago etc. We've talked about what's to come and how he wants it to be handled. Keep doing what works for you both until it doesn't. I'm guessing at that point the answers have to be more simple and reassuring. My best to you.

It's very hard when u are going through it. I forget everything. Keep notes everywhere. I forget sometimes when talking to some one and lose my train of thought. I struggle with certain words, trying to pull it up but cannot. I get frustrated and emotional. My daughter has been trained and knows all about this disease so she knows how to reassure me, in a understanding and compassionate way that it's my disease and this is just part of it, not to make me feel less then.

I think in some cases it's like a death. One goes through stages of denial, bargaining, anger.... My mother went through anger at herself saying she was just stupid when she would forget things. This was very upsetting for us kids to hear her talk about herself like that. We would tell her she wasn't stupid and that she has Alzheimer's and it wasn't her fault she is forgetting things. She gradually got to a point where she would say "do you know I have Alzheimer's." We would say yes mom and its an evil ( rhymes with Witch).
Mom is at the stage now that she doesn't know, she doesn't know stuff; nor does she seem to care. She is happy and we are thankful for that.

When Mom is struggling to express herself, I sometimes will tell her that once the words come to mind, just let me know. I know that wont happen, but it seems to ease her frustration. Then I change the subject to one she can relate to.

I get frustrated sometimes when I struggle with a name or word. I know that it's this disease but I'm just beginning with these issues and some days it's just hard to accept. I feel like when that happens to me, I have a friend that's doesn't make a big deal out of it and usually says something like, no big deal, happens to the best of us, or jokes with me and lightens the situation up so that I lighten up and not take myself so seriously. In return, it makes me relax and laugh, and know its o.k.