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My Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2013. She still remembers all of us kids and can still do small tasks on her own. My mom was a person who was very involved in all sorts of things, she was writing her own book, went to a writers group, she loved to draw and paint, loves reading, went to spiritual guidance groups, does crochet and made lots of scrap books and never watched TV during the day. Now she is 83 and has a multitude of health problems
I haven't been able to find an exhaustive… read more
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Members rallied around a daughter struggling to understand why her once-active mother with Alzheimer's now spends her days watching TV and... Read more
@A myALZteam Member my Pops used to look at the TV but not really watch it. He used to read anything written on the comercials like Ads, phone numbers, directions etc. I think just to make sure he still could read. I would change the channels and watch his face to see if I would notice any signs of interest on certain programs. It turned out he likes sitcoms that referred to times he could remember. He's 82 and he loves "That 70's Show" I think because he's so much like Red Foreman's character. Lol He also likes funniest home videos. I love to see him laugh
This made me smile because when my mom was with me full time before entering the facility she is in now, she read billboards and street signs everywhere we went! Over and over out loud the same ones! I was relieved when Cracker Barrel finally changed theirs from the Cute Syrup one that had up forever! LOL Glad to have the memory though!
The 36 hr book is very good.
If your dear Mum is 83, she will obviously be slower than usual . No one wants to admit their shortcomings at that age, but perhaps her eyesight is failing, perhaps her hand shakes a bit?
If she has had alzheimers since 2013, then I would think these things are normal.
Perhaps she likes to 'withdraw' into a little world of her own sometimes. This is a place in which she will find peace and totally 'switch off'. This is when the brain switches off to prevent overload and stress. Things that you mention like painting, drawing, and reading etc, require an awful lot of concentration, and surprisingly enough a lot of brain power?
So to be truthful, don't expect too much, and treat her as you would a child that you were trying to encourage. Ask her what she would like to do, get involved and help when you can.
This dreadful disease has been devouring her brain for 5 years, don't expect miracles, there aren't any!! My husband is exactly the same, and I will see another thing go. He cannot stand, walk, has very limited concentration span. So it is very difficult to try and keep the old grey matter working at all.
So don't expect too much, but be thankful for the things she CAN do.
I would recommend “The 36-Hour Day”. It is a family guide to caring for people with Alzheimer and related dementias, and memory loss. I found it to be very helpful.
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