T:The Journey Continues.
the long goodbye	Q:Hello everyone, I am not new here,  just don't come that often.
My mom has been on her Alzheimer's/dementia journey now for almost <time_period>,  she was diagnosed <date>.
From what I've read,  it probably began up to <time_period> before her diagnosis and now looking back,  some of the strange behaviors make sense.
Mom was always an extremely independent woman,  very secure,  very sure of herself.
She left school after <num>th grade,  she had to,  because of Hitler,  she is Jewish and Jews were not allowed to be educated in Germany.
She was in <num> slave labor camps for <time_period> and managed to survive.
She met my dad after the war,  they left for the US after my sister was born and then went on to have <num> more girls,  me and my other sister.
My dad passed away when he was <age>,  leaving mom at the age of <age> to raise <num> teenage girls,  I was the youngest at <age>.
Mom got a job and eventually became a department manager at <location>,  then managed <num> departments,  with a <num>th grade education.
She was responsible for hiring her staff,  managing and ordering her inventory and taking care of customers and did this for <time_period>.
She volunteered for several organizations,  played cards,  and bingo.
She was very interested in politics and watched CNN and C Span.
Never did I think she would fall victim to dementia and yet she did.
She is now <age> old and only recognizes me and my sisters,  on a good day.
I feel very fortunate that I found a <institution> that cares so much for their residents.
Believe me,  it's not perfect,  the staff are not perfect,  but being there just about every day,  I can see how hard they do try.
I tried to care for mom for a <time_period> in my home and I became very sick,  emotionally as well as physically.
I have fibromyalgia,  depression and anxiety.
My sister then took her for <time_period>,  then <time_period> of assisted living and now where she is living,  just <distance> from me.
I realize there are some here that wouldn't dream of placing their parents or loved ones in a skilled <institution>.
Sometimes that simply is the best answer and sometimes you are lucky enough to find a good one.
Well,  not all luck,  I really did my homework,  for <time_period>.
I was just lucky that it happens to be close to my home.
I do have one question: Mom remains on <medicine> and <medicine>,  now for <time_period>.
I wonder if the meds are still working?
I realize the only way to find out is to take her off of them,  but if I do,  and she takes a severe decline,  and I put her back on them,  I was told you cannot regain what was lost.
Anyone here have any experience with this?Thanks for listening/reading, <name>	A:Hi <name>, No one wants to judge or should.
At least you tried doing it yourself and it didn't work out.
I just have a problem with people who instantly thinks a <institution> is the solution.
My sister is one of them and needless to say she is not in the care giving business with me.
My mom is taking <medicine> and I often wonder if it's doing any good.
I'm afraid to have her go off of it in case she gets worse as a result.
I just don't know.
I read all kinds of reports on what's being done as a cure and no one seems to help existing patients because like it's too late.
That's very discouraging to me.
I often think dementia is the best disease to have.
You don't feel anything and nothing matters to you anymore.
It's the people who take care of you that suffers.
A:Hi <name> And thanks so much for responding.
I agree with you about dementia,  except my mom is VERY aware of her memory loss.
She completely isolates herself in her room and refuses to socialize at all with any of the residents.
She tells me they are a bunch of nuts.
also tells me I put her in an <institution>,  when she is on an alzheimer/dementia floor.
She doesn't know the difference between memory loss and mental illness.
To her,  the residents are mentally ill and she feels she doesn't belong there.
On the other hand,  she doesn't want others to realize how bad her memory loss is,  so she doesn't speak to anyone.
I know how ridiculous it sounds.
I do believe it is the <medicine> and <medicine> that is keeping her at this level and I don't even know if I am doing her any favors by keeping her on the medication.
I see no quality of life,  spending all her waking and sleeping moments in her little room.
Staff tries so hard to talk her into coming out and joining into activities but she refuses.
The only way she will,  and it is rare when she does,  is when I go and talk her into going to something and then I have to go with her.
And I find it SO depressing,  watching all the residents.
Most of them are in a later stage than mom is.
There is nothing good about dementia,  nothing at all.
Again,  thank you for responding.
It would be nice if there were more people that were active in this forum.
take care <name>


A:<name>, You have put yourself in her shoes.
Your mom is in denial.
She doesn't think she's like the others and maybe she's not as bad.
She doesn't want to join in because maybe she likes one on one interaction where she can get special attention.
My mom goes to a <institution> in the morning while I go to work.
It pains me to see her go in and be seated with mentally retarded people and people with dementia that are worse off than her.
I asked them to put her with the normals folks so she can have people to talk to but they said no because they want her seated in the special needs people where they can watch all of them at once.
Selfish ******s!
This is where my hatred for my sister comes in.
She doesn't work and her kids are grown.
She's very absorbed in her church work so that's more important to her than her own mother's well being.
My mom would be better mentally if my sister would stay with her cause family is king in their mind.
You are lucky that your mom still talks.
My mom will say a word here and there and other times she nods off from boredom.
Do you think you can hire someone to watch her in your home while you go to work?
Govt pays for this stuff depending on your needs.
You can just pay the caregiver extra $ to make up the difference or have her got to a <institution> like my mom goes.
At least you will still have her at home and she can see you daily be comfortable in her own surrounding.
It really would make a world of difference and give you a piece of mind.
I cannot go a day without seeing my mom because I was always mommy's little girl.
I guess that's to her benefit now.
A:<name> .
<medicine> .
is one of the drugs that my Mothers new <professional_practitioner> took her off of late last <season>.
She was on it for a little over a <time_period> - but this <professional_practitioner> actually believes less medication for a <age> old is better than more.
It seems that the only difference without the meds she was taking is that her occassional nightime episodes have stopped.
Of course,  no kind of medication will bring back her memory,  stop its deterioration or reduce her level of dimentia - but it was surprising that the lack of <medicine> actually improved probably the most frightening of her symptoms.
The last nightime episode was last <month>,  and it put her into the <institution> (from her own home with a <professional_caregiver>).
Her typical episode would be waking up in the middle of the night - then screaming that someone was in her house and trying to kill her.
She once left the house and ran over to her neighbors house at <time> .
and once called the police herself .
and the last time,  she actually had developed enough trust in the live-in <professional_caregiver> to call for her.
There were <num> times in a period of <time_period> - not a lot of episodes - but they were horrendously frightening to her.
One other thing - from your story of your Mothers history to current reactions - it sounds like she is a very strong-willed person.
Mine is - as well.
Picture,  if you can,  a <age> who was driving her <age> old car until <time_period> ago - still buying weekly lottery tickets until last <month> (and hiring a driver or taking a cab to get the tickets) - still wanting to control her money (even though I have been paying all of her bills and handling her taxes and small investments for <time_period>) but understanding next to none of her bills - and refusing to ever go to a <institution> for the past <time_period>,  since my step-father died.
Upon leaving the <institution> (first time with any psychiatric help or observation) in <date>,  her primary <professional_practitioner> said she could not go home without having 24/7 care in her home.
I live over <distance> from her (for the past <time_period>) and am fighting several life-threatening illnesses myself - and my house is a <num>-story with both bedrooms upstairs (impossible for her to climb).
So .
a <professional_caregiver> in her home was the only option .
not to mention there was no way she was going to move in to my house (her own words)!
The next <time_period> worked well.
She had her independance.
She was able to boss around the <professional_caregiver> (and she did like that) - although one of them did quit and had to be replaced.
She kept writing the checks for her hairdresser and for the weekly groceries - giving her a sense of purpose and control .
while I kept writing the checks for her utilities,  taxes,  insurance and other bigger bills.
I did get over to her house every week (at least once weekly) to spend some time with her - and called her daily at around <time> so she knew when to expect a call each day.
It worked well for <time_period> until her last evening episode which sent her to the <institution> for tests and observation.
Please note .
those <time_period> were expensive from my Mothers account.
Between the cost of the <professional_caregiver> and operating cost of her home + food,  insurance,  etc.
- half of her lifetime savings disappeared.
When leaving the <institution> the last time (last <month>) - her <professional_practitioner>,  then the <professional_practitioner> said she could no longer live at home - even with a 24/7 <professional_caregiver>.
The <professional_caregiver> are just not adequately trained - as a <professional_practitioner> would be.
After walking thru <num> different <institution> - from marginally OK to very nice .
I was directed to a <institution> that specializes in dimentia and parkinsins - only!
She has been there for the past <time_period> and even though she will occassionally still ask when will she be going home it is a good place for her.
You see .
she always has been somewhat of a loner!
She never would let any of the neighbors get close to her - even the same for her few close friends!
One of the philosophies I really like at her <institution> is that they will not allow any of the patient residents to sit in their rooms alone (unless of course they are sick).
They have a huge program of planned activities daily,  they have live-in animals (dogs and/or cats) for therapy and a relaxed atmosphere,  and they do have entertainment that comes in <num> or <num> times a <time_period>.
In good weather,  they have one outing a <time_period> and provide the transportation and assistance for it.
My Mother is virtually always out of her room.
She has become a bingo addict and she loves the entertainment (even if it is just a little corny sometimes).
The big screen tv in the family or great room often has DVD's of <name> shows or <name> or others from the <time_period>'s and <time_period>'s!
They have a large but very nicely done Dining Room with table clothed tables and very decent food.
I've eaten there <num> so far.
Now .
this is not cheap,  but it is less in cost than paying for a live-in <professional_caregiver> and the upkeep of a house.
For <time_period>,  I have gone to her house at least weekly for mail,  to check the vacant house for any break-ins and to water her few plants.
Last <day>,  her home was just sadly put on the market.
It had to be.
She never will return to it .
the rest of her lifetime savings will be gone by next <season> .
and the sale of the house will keep her in this fine <institution> for another <time_period> beyond that - if she is able.
Besides the emotional difficulty of dealing with a parent having dimentia,  the costs ultimately have an impact too.
Over the past <time_period>,  I have done some research in financial assistance.
If someone has $<num> a <time_period> coming in (as my Mother does with SS + a small pension) as income,  there are very few government programs available for cost assistance.
Medicaid requires that the patients total net worth is no more than <num>K - and that includes a house,  car,  bonds,  mutual funds,  etc.
Once on Medicaid,  the government will pay for a <institution>.
TRUST ME - you don't want to send her there if at all possible.
At the least,  they are under-staffed,  often dark dingy places - that shout this is where you will die!
@!
If it's a <institution>,  it is likely to be that way!
I hope there are exceptions!
There is another assistance program,  but the person has to be either a veteran or the spouse of a deceased veteran.
Here again,  it is only available to people who have nearly nothing left financially (I think down to their last <num>K of total assets).
It is up to $<num>.
a <time_period> of cash,  and if the person has SS and/or a small pension - as in my Mothers case,  she could total by then be bringing in about $<num>.
per <time_period>.
Summary .
when I see the joy on my Mothers face and watch her clapping to an <name> impersonator performing before <num> or so patients,  I know for a moment at least,  she is happier there than she ever would be now at home.
Same goes for a Bingo game .
she actually has a reputation there of being a good bingo player.
For your info .
the name of the place is <name> and they do have many <institution> in several states.
My experience so far in <time_period>,  is that the <professional_practitioner> I have talked to do care .
and there is a <professional_practitioner> on staff - 24/7!
If the day comes for you to make that decision,  try to think that this will be for her best interests - and try to find a place that specializes in the care of dimentia.
Peace .
and good luck to you .
and yours!
A:<medicine> gave my mom nightmares so yeah drugs do more harm then good.
My mom is still on <medicine> but not because I think it's doing any good but that I'm afraid of withdrawals if I take her off of it.
My mom was good at bingo too when she first went to the <institution> but slowly she lost the interest to play and started to put the chips in her mouth so they stopped it.
Do what makes them happy.
My sister wanted my mom in a <institution> and she's on medicaid.
I told her that those are horrible places and my sister refused to believe me and said she's only heard of nice things.
Hopefully she will get to experience it herself when the time comes and see her eat her words.
What might work is if <name>'s mom is asked to help out at the home so she would feel needed and that she's not the victim that needs to be pitied.
Makes sense right?
To have a purpose in life and feel wanted makes anyone feel good.
Ask her to talk to the people worse off than her and to be like a big sister.
I hope that's good advice.
A:Thank you for your input.
very much appreciated.
I may not have been clear in my previous post.
My mom currently is in a skilled <institution>,  on a floor for Alzheimer's/dementia.
The <institution> is rated <num> stars out of <num> and has been for the past <time_period>.
They are considered one of the finest in <location> of where we live.
And,  thankfully,  they accept Medicaid.
They have a very long waiting list for Medicaid.
My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's <time_period>' ago and at the time she asked to live with me,  she was so afraid to be alone.
Such a strong,  independent woman all her life,  but to this day she is very aware of her memory loss and it frightened her.
So,  I cared for her for a <time_period> in my home,  with the help of a <professional_caregiver> because I worked full time,  but it still made me very sick,  physically as well as emotionally.
She then went to live with one of my sisters for <time_period>,  then went to private pay assisted living,  a beautiful place with wonderful care and paid $<num> a <time_period> for almost <time_period>.
and ran out of money.
During that time,  I began the process of filing for public aid.
what a nightmare.
We still have not hear if she will be accepted,  but where she is now took her in with her paying one <time_period>'s rent,  $<num>,  and that wiped out her money completely,  so now she is public aid pending and living there.
She has a private room,  which is paramount for her.
She could never live with anyone.
She was never a social person and for <time_period> now has completely isolated herself.
These places where she has and now lives have activities all day long; she refuses to go.
She will go to bingo,  but that is it,  and she goes to eat her meals in a dining room where she does a little socializing with <num> people at her table.
It is not that she is that high functioning; it is she believes that she is,  she views herself as not needing any help when in reality she needs the help of that specific floor.
Her room is very small and yet she has no idea where her clothes are.
If she isn't prompted to wash up,  she doesn't.
She definitely needs their help and believe me,  I am SO grateful that I was able to get her in this <institution> as a public aid resident.
The staff are truly wonderful,  they really care.
She has been there almost <time_period>,  and I go there almost every day.
I make myself known,  I want them to know her family is watching.
And still,  this is so hard,  so difficult to watch her decline.
Again,  thanks for responding, <name>


A:Wow your mom was loaded before.
Yes I see what you mean but again I still think if you use reverse psychology and suggest to her that she should help the people worse off than her that she might feel differently.
She doesn't want people to feel sorry for her but at the same time is there anyone you're seen that could befriend her?
All it takes is just one person that she can pal around with.
These <num> people that she talks a little with may not be that active themselves and they are already partnered up so maybe they don't want a <num>rd person in their group.
Yeah it's high school all over again.
hahaI would be severely depressed if I was in your shoes to have to see this.
I'm in constant pain and I work full-time but as long as I'm still breathing I will hold on to my mom.
I'm not saying everyone should be like me,  it's just how I feel about my mom.
I'm sure you have done all you can so be proud of what you have done so far.
Sometimes I wonder what will happen to me when I'm older.
I'm single and will not ever have anyone to take care of me.
Well,  who knows what the future holds.
I'll just be content to know I took care of my mom and I rather suffer than to see her suffer.
A:To <name> .
It does sound like you hit on a winner with the skilled <institution> your Mother has been in.
From my search for a <institution> <time_period> ago,  I found one place that was beautiful - but it was the most expensive of those I checked - and did offer single rooms.
I too,  felt that Mom would never want to have a roomate,  but as time went on,  and I found many did not even offer single rooms - I decided to concentrate on a room with <num> roomate.
The difference in cost,  at the most expensive place,  was close to $<num>.
per <time_period> more for the single room!
The expensive place I mentioned above also did have a small amount of beds approved for Medicaid,  but as of last <month>,  the waiting list for a Medicaid room was over <time_period> long .
and first preference was given to an in-house patient before anyone from the outside.
It does surprise me to hear that a hefty entrance fee (or whatever it was called) was required before being accepted thru Medicaid.
Otherwise,  it sounds like the <institution> you found is very much a winner!
Please don't take this as a criticism,  but is there a chance that your going to see her almost every day might be keeping her need or desire to meet a new friend to a minimum.
Again,  I think of my Mother,  and in the <time_period> she has been there,  she has not made a close friend.
I do think the dimentia kind of keeps that from happening.
That is,  the lack of trust in general was the first symptom I noticed a <time_period> ago in my Mom.
But I think encouragement in some way is necessary.
A little over a <time_period> ago,  I got a very rare call from Mom (with the help of a <professional_practitioner> on staff).
She seemed more distressed than normal.
When I went over to see her,  Mom wanted to talk to me in private and then said I feel so lonely here!
A <time_period> later,  <num> of my <num> favorite <professional_practitioner> there walked past - and I called her over.
In front of Mom,  I mentioned to the <professional_practitioner> that my Mother was really feeling lonely.
It greatly surprised the <professional_practitioner> .
and she told me that <name> has never said that to anyone here.
There-in lies a likely common problem with a dimentia patient - especially one that was never really out-going in personality.
She still trusted me enough to tell me - but did not (and may never) trust anyone there well enough to state her real needs.
At least,  one of the better <professional_practitioner> there now knows of the uneasiness of my Mother - and,  thank God,  there are <professional_practitioner> there that really do care .
makes me feel better!
Well - maybe,  just maybe - that <time_period> may not be long enough yet for your Mother to feel comfortable enough to allow herself to be open to others there.
But .
glad to hear there are some places offering Medicaid assistance with good <professional_practitioner> - and with programs to keep the mind busy!
P.  S. - don't beat yourself up about any of this - you know you care - that is what matters.
A:To <name> .
Someone once told me more than once you have to take care of yourself first and if not who is going to take care of your Mother!
Actually more than one person has said that to me over the past <time_period>.
While I am divorced (for over <time_period>),  I have <num> daughters and <num> grandaughters.
The grandaughters are protected from many things that are going on simply by not involving them in health issues.
And my <num> daughters are functioning somewhat differently - much of it because they are <time_period> apart.
My oldest daughter,  for the past <time_period>,  has virtually turned her back on me - and of course,  she's the one with my grandaughters.
After sitting down with a <professional_practitioner> (who specializes in living with terminal diseases) last <season>,  he felt I was correct in believing that my oldest was distancing herself from me because - she does not want to face me dying.
It isn't uncommon .
and denial was one of the things her Mother was best at.
My youngest daughter,  has worked her butt off over the <time_period>.
She is <age> and has a good job,  a Masters degree and lives in a trendy rental neighborhood with her serious boyfriend (someone I would like to have for a son-in-law).
After working <num> part-time jobs while going to college for <time_period> and <num>-degrees,  she is living a bit .
and paying her student loans off before they are due!
I really don't want to burden her with my health issues too much - just every once-in-awhile - when I need her to stay with me for a day - after routine surgery (that I need every <time_period>) .
but I can't lay onto her any other stuff.
What all of the above is about .
is a family doesn't make it easier sometimes.
It should,  you would think - but sometimes it even feels worse loving someone who turns their back on you.
Sorry .
about the hearts and flowers!
It does do some good to vent though.
Being able to vent .
and getting advise from others at times - are the <num> most valuable things about HW.
I wish you strength .
and try to ignore the much less than ideal comments or lack of comments from family members.
Don't let them get under your skin.
You are the one who cares - even if they do not.
A:Oh yes the old take care of yourself thing.
Well.
there is only 24 hours in a day.
Truthfully speaking after I give my mom a bath and wash her hair then blowdry and change her into her night gown for bed I am dead tired to do it all over again for myself.
Especially since doing this whole ritual is against her will so I am fighting her to get into the tub and the same to get out.
Yes I would love to take a long hot bath and read a nice fashion magazine then eat a peaceful dinner while having a lovely conversation with a few good friends.
In order to do that someone would have to be home with my mom and that's not possible so if only one of us can get the royal treatment then I rather it's my mom.
I have not gone out socially since <time_period> ago.
At least I have a job and a roof over my head so I can't really complain.
I always think it's actually better to not get a break because I'll get too comfortable and have to come back to this again and I will then hate my mom.
My <num>nd brother maybe in denial about my mom but mostly it's because he doesn't want to deal with the illness.
Not everyone is a saint like us.
The oldest brother has health issues so he's in worse shape.
I forgive him because I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.
Whatever.
I was born to be my mom's caretaker and here I am.
Voila!
