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Our Journey with Alzheimer's disease: A timeline of my mom's cognitive decline.
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In 2018 at 68yrs old, my mom was having trouble remembering things at work so she went to see a neurologist. He did an MRI & told her her forgetfulness was likely caused by stress/anxiety/depression & to see a therapist, possibly needing medication. Since the neurologist assured her it wasn’t Alzheimer’s, (my mom was so scared of getting the disease, her dad had it and she knew how devastating it was) she never went for treatment of her anxiety or depression.
2019 at 69yrs old, my mom felt her memory was getting worse so she asked me to go back to the neurologist with her. He did another MRI and found that in comparing the two scans there was brain shrinkage. The neurologist recommended we go to Penn Medicine in Philadelphia for further testing and clinical trials. So that is what we did.
2019-2020 at 69/70yrs old, We noticed things continued to get worse for her. She wasn’t able to pay her bills or write checks anymore and she would get lost when she drove places. The doctors at Penn Medicine diagnosed her with “mild cognitive impairment” and then later, Alzheimer’s. They started her on an Alzheimer’s drug called Memantine, along with a drug for anxiety and depression. We stopped the clinical trials because they didn’t seem to be doing much for her and the testing really stressed her out. She retired from her job selling insurance.
2021-2023, my mom really relies on us for most things now. It's my brother, sister and I and her 2 caregivers. She cries nearly every morning because she is scared and confused when she wakes up. She constantly thinks people come into her home and take her things. She can not bathe or dress on her own, she can not brush her hair or put on her makeup. She can not make her meals or pour herself a glass of juice. She 𝒊𝒔 however still able to brush her teeth, if we put the toothpaste on the toothbrush for her and show her where the bathroom is, and she can also put her shoes on if we place them next to the correct foot. She can still walk and talk (although it’s difficult for her to find words and follow a conversation now) and she can still DANCE!
2024, my mom is now at the end stage of the disease. We have caregivers for her 24/7. She has to be spoon fed now and has to be changed and dressed each day. We bathe her and brush her teeth. She sleeps in a hospital bed and can no longer walk on her own. And although she does still talk it is difficult for us to understand what she is trying to communicate to us. She gets agitated, cries and shouts throughout the day but is on medication that helps us manage her unpredictable moods. I really wish could still dance with us..
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I love to watch your mom’s videos. I have worked for over two decades with a charity here in Scotland who provide respite for carers. Predominantly the people we care for suffer from Alzheimer’s/Dementia. I really just wanted to tell you what a wonderful thing you are doing showing the reality of this cruel disease. My own grandmother passed away 5 years ago with Alzheimer’s and the day she forgot who I was broke my heart in two. Sending much love to you all ❤️
Make me a promise Bianca, my mother said. "Promise me you won't put me in a home or make me live with one of your sisters". It was a joke at the time when my mom was just starting to forget things. 06/08/2019 was the hardest day of my life. Watching my mom talk to herself, packing her things 2-3 times a day, saying she has to go home. It was heartbreaking. I broke down and cried with her a few times and then I realized how hard it must be on my dad too. He can't leave the house, he has to convince her that she lives in their house. I came to the decision to quit my job. My dad needs help. I live 7 hours away but instead of visiting my parents, I'll be visiting my husband. My mom has always been there for me and been my best friend so I want to be there for her. I keep telling myself that I can snap her out of it. I got her numerous medications including DONEPEZIL and MEMANTINE instead of helping her, they almost destroyed her due to the side effects. As I was reading more about Dementia on the internet, I met with some comments of people testifying about Dr. Rohan and his BRONGEE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS that it works for Alzheimer's and Dementia. I contacted the doctor immediately and explained my mother's condition to him, he assured me that my mom will be fine and her memory will come back to normal. I ordered his Herbal Supplements and it was delivered to me here in Canada by DHL courier company in less than a week with instructions on how to use them attached in the package. After 3 weeks of using these herbs, we began to see improvement, after 6 months my mom was better, and it's been 2 years now and my mom is completely free from this horrible disease. In case your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's /Dementia I will advise you to use BRONGEE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS. You can contact Dr. Rohan via email; dr.rohanronjohn@gmail.com or WHATSAPP with +393510553632 it may also help you.
I have been following you and your sweet mom. I was wondering how she was doing and if she’s still dancing. Sadly, I see that a lot has changed. I just wanted to say that you and your siblings are amazing. You mom is so lucky to have the 3 of you and her caregivers. Since you haven’t updated in awhile, how is your mom doing. Holding your family close to my heart. Thinking and praying for your mom and your family. Lori
I prematurely retired 4 years ago at age 54 (Brother and Father both deceased) leaving me as the sole caregiver of my Mom diagnosed with Vascular dementia 2019. She has been on Galantamine for 4 years but has started declining in recent months…..Doctors in our Rural area aren’t proactive- Just left Neurologist appointment Monday where I described increasing anxiety/ mood swings, depression, inability to fully articulate thoughts, find words, forgetting things she knew two months ago hoping the Doctor would make some suggestions on changes to Depression medications, suggest something for restlessness and irritability, maybe explore something other than the Galantemine (NOTHING)…..curious as to other people’s experiences with Medications to address behaviors above so I can research new Doctors and come prepared to ask the right questions etc. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Sending your family prayers and so much Iove! I’m honored to do work with dementia/Alzheimer’s clients. I don’t have a relationship with my mother and find so much comfort taking care of complete strangers who appreciate everything you do for them! It’s bitter sweet!
Your doing a great job! And love the memories you’ve shared! ♥️
Great to see you today at the Atco Battles Alzheimers event. Thank you for sharing your family's story and for what you are doing for caregivers who deal with this horrible disease on a daily basis. Keeping your Mom and your family in my thoughts and prayers daily. Take care 💜
(Maybe we'll catch up with you at a baseball game)
Thank you for sharing your Mom's story with us. I think it is so important for people to understand this disease. I cared for my MIL for 6 yrs with this awful disease and it is so very hard . God bless you and your family. ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your families life with us all, I was a caregiver with home health care and I had a client that had dementia for 10 years that I was with him before he was put into a wonderful facility! He had his ups and downs but he always brightened my days! He used to be a Captain with our local fire department and I loved hearing how he grew up in Fresno, California as a child. His memory of the past was amazing but had no memories of the present, but he knew me 😊. I will never forget him and how he taught me about this disease! Your mom makes me smile with each video, her outfits, jewelry and her love of dancing, may God give her comfort and peace as well as her children! God Bless
Thankyou for sharing your story and your lovely Mum, I pray to god there’s a cure for this robbing cruel disease.. 🙏❤️ Love to your mum, you and your loving family. 🙏💫❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. My father has dementia and its comforting to watch how you interact with your mom.
My dad lives in an assisted living facility as that what’s best for him and the care he requires. Caring for my dad even though he lives in a facility is still very stressful because you never if he’s having a good day or bad day. He has crazy stories about his day and I don’t know what’s true. When he’s having a good day he says having dementia is torture because he can remember something 50 years ago but he can’t remember if he ate lunch. It’s sad to see the progression of the disease and what it does to your parent the person that raised me that now I have to take care of like one of my kids, diapers and all 😞