CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[CatLady007]

Good morning, all! I'm not usually up and posting quite this early, but I have a friend with memory problems that forgot I work nights. She woke me up this am because she was convinced her family was having her committed today. I'm guessing she had a bad dream, because I'm involved with all of her medical appointments, etc, and her family counts on me to keep them in the loop. I'm finding out that there is a lot, a whole lot, that I don't know about Alzheimer's.

 

[lilac7779]

Good afternoon, Volties. Have a good one.

 

[Lauralie]

Good morning, all! I'm not usually up and posting quite this early, but I have a friend with memory problems that forgot I work nights. She woke me up this am because she was convinced her family was having her committed today. I'm guessing she had a bad dream, because I'm involved with all of her medical appointments, etc, and her family counts on me to keep them in the loop. I'm finding out that there is a lot, a whole lot, that I don't know about Alzheimer's.

That can be such a nasty disease.........I feel for you and your friend.

My Uncle had it and he would say "How the hell am I supposed to take my medicine for it if I can't remember anything" and then he would just laugh. But we all knew how bad it really was. Then his wife ended up with it too....so sad.

Bless you for taking care of your friend.

 

[CatLady007]

That can be such a nasty disease.........I feel for you and your friend.

My Uncle had it and he would say "How the hell am I supposed to take my medicine for it if I can't remember anything" and then he would just laugh. But we all knew how bad it really was. Then his wife ended up with it too....so sad.

Bless you for taking care of your friend.

Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing a very good job of it. When she gets scared/upset/angry like this, I feel like I let it happen, by not calling often enough, or being around often enough. I don't know how people manage to take care of their family members and work full-time, too.

 

[Lauralie]

Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing a very good job of it. When she gets scared/upset/angry like this, I feel like I let it happen, by not calling often enough, or being around often enough. I don't know how people manage to take care of their family members and work full-time, too.

Just the fact your doing it counts for sooooo much.......don't sell yourself short.

 

[rave]

My thoughts are with you CatLady. Bless you for being there for her.

 

[sherlockholmes]

Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing a very good job of it. When she gets scared/upset/angry like this, I feel like I let it happen, by not calling often enough, or being around often enough. I don't know how people manage to take care of their family members and work full-time, too.

You are a good person for doing what you are doing. I know someone with a probably terminal disease whose extended family isn't willing to do anything to help out, leaving his wife to deal with everything. It is so sad. Bless you for helping your friend.

 

[Raynes]

Good morning, all! I'm not usually up and posting quite this early, but I have a friend with memory problems that forgot I work nights. She woke me up this am because she was convinced her family was having her committed today. I'm guessing she had a bad dream, because I'm involved with all of her medical appointments, etc, and her family counts on me to keep them in the loop. I'm finding out that there is a lot, a whole lot, that I don't know about Alzheimer's.

To me, Alzheimer's is the most heart breaking disease there is. Its so hard on the loved ones for most of the time ,they lose their loved one twice.When the person no longer remembers them and then when they die. You can't go this alone CatLady, not even if you worked days. Your friend will eventually get to where she "sundowns" more than likely,she'll forget how to use a phone, forget where she lives,one person just cannot do it,not even two people. One thing I suggest doing maybe not now but down the road is getting one of those electronic ankle bracelets (here we can get them through the police department, does she have a security system,? If so that is a good thing to have as they can call and alert you if she tries to leave the house.
My question here is who diagnosed her ,her family MD or a geriatric psychiatrist? Then my next question is, who helps her keep up with her medications,,helps with her meals,sees that she bathes,or who is going to do all that? In some people,Alzheimer's advances rapidly,its been my experience that the younger a person is the faster their decline.
I hope this helps give you an idea what its going to be like, for her and her caregivers. My heart breaks for all of you. One patient that I've had that I remember vividly, was standing in the bathroom just talking away, at first I thought he was hallucinating,he pointed in the mirror and said, "My buddy Jeff here". He lost his own identity. That's how bad it can get. Being a caregiver for an Alzheimer's patient is exhausting physically and mentally.
If there is anyway that I can help you,or if you have any questions that I might can help you with feel to ask.

 

[Raynes]

Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing a very good job of it. When she gets scared/upset/angry like this, I feel like I let it happen, by not calling often enough, or being around often enough. I don't know how people manage to take care of their family members and work full-time, too.

You can't,not by yourself its too much, too much responsibility to. Does she have a power of attorney appointed to make decisions for her?

 

[Raynes]

You are a good person for doing what you are doing. I know someone with a probably terminal disease whose extended family isn't willing to do anything to help out, leaving his wife to deal with everything. It is so sad. Bless you for helping your friend.

Some Hospices offer respite care to give caregivers a break, I don't know if they will qualify or not but its something she can check into, and its a free service that they offer the last time I checked.

 

[CatLady007]

You can't,not by yourself its too much, too much responsibility to. Does she have a power of attorney appointed to make decisions for her?

She does have family, and her sister is working with her to get a power of attorney in place. Unfortunately, my friend managed to alienate her family years ago; I understand that she used to be a rather unpleasant or selfish person, but they haven't abandoned her. I only met her 4 years ago, and all this was just beginning.
We had a good afternoon; had a tasty meal at a chain seafood place. All is right in her world, now.
Thanks so much for offering to answer questions; I may take you up on that, via PM, at a later date.

Now, I'll take a page from Rave's book, and say enough of this depressing stuff. Back to our "regularly scheduled programming". : )

 

[Raynes]

She does have family, and her sister is working with her to get a power of attorney in place. Unfortunately, my friend managed to alienate her family years ago; I understand that she used to be a rather unpleasant or selfish person, but they haven't abandoned her. I only met her 4 years ago, and all this was just beginning.
We had a good afternoon; had a tasty meal at a chain seafood place. All is right in her world, now.
Thanks so much for offering to answer questions; I may take you up on that, via PM, at a later date.

Now, I'll take a page from Rave's book, and say enough of this depressing stuff. Back to our "regularly scheduled programming". : )

Anytime.Try to get you some rest

 

[Semiretired]

Well, let's see... Imagine just got back from a fabulous vacation (that I must note we were not invited to join in on) and I do believe that she owes us some PICS - What do you think?

Let's take a vote...

 

[rave]

Good morning Volties. I can't seriously be the only one up. Well, the coffee is ready and waiting for any of you that needs a pick me up.

 

[Semiretired]

Now, you know I never turn down a fresh cup of coffee...

Good Morning Everyone...

 

[rave]

Mornin' Semi. You know, we've got to stop meeting like this.

 

[Lauralie]

Good morning Volties. I can't seriously be the only one up. Well, the coffee is ready and waiting for any of you that needs a pick me up.

Got any Dt. Dew to help me out?

Morning!

 

[rave]

Got any Dt. Dew to help me out?

Morning!

I think I could hook ya up there Laura. There are probably 3 dozen soda flavorings on hand here and a freshly filled CO2 cylinder. I could even add a shot of caffeine for ya.

 

[Semiretired]

Mornin' Semi. You know, we've got to stop meeting like this.

Yep, I have to say it is a ritual to peek in to see if Rave is up yet...

I am sitting here on my second cup - got four over charged kids visiting and asleep upstairs - doing my absolute best to keep quiet so they sleep as late as possible LOL...

 

[Lauralie]

I think I could hook ya up there Laura. There are probably 3 dozen soda flavorings on hand here and a freshly filled CO2 cylinder. I could even add a shot of caffeine for ya.

You have a soda machine??? And yes - I would need the caffeine for sure - double shot please