T:Alzheimer's and my Mom	Q:My mother like her mother. has azheimers disease. She took care of her mother herself until physically she could not anymore. She chose a <institution> within waliking distance to her own home and was there everyday. My mother protected and insured that her own mother was not mistreated or neglected like so many other patients.  For this reason. as a family,  we have vowed to never put my mother in any type of <institution> and take care of her ourselves with the <professional_caregiver> coming by periodically to assist. She lives with my father who is <age>. in a home attached to my oldest brothers home. <num> complete homes with an interior connection.  Idon't know how to explain exactly what stage my mother is at in this disease. some days are better than others. I can tell you that all of her hygene is our responsibility now and has been for quite sometime.  I am my mothers only daughter. I am here. I am here for support I guess. I love my mother very much. and sometimes this is so hard. and all the time my heart is breaking.  	A:I'm so sorry that you,  your family and your mother are going thru this. I know only too well the feeling of helplessness and heartache of having to deal with horrible condition. I took care of my grandmother for <time_period> before I had no choice to put her in <institution>.  Please know that we are here for you any time of day or night. We understand what you are going thru.  


A:Thank you for responding :)My mother has a bed sore problem on her behind. The <professional_practitioner> have perscribed several topical medications to be applied liberally which we are doing.  Mom sleeps on her back ALWAYS. so we are also using aids to help her sleep on her side to relieve the pressure.  Should antibiotics be perscribed? Mom wears depends and uses them so I am concerned about bacteria causing an infection.  Good to know you are here. I will appreciate all of your guidance.  


A:Are her bedsores getting infected?


A:I don't know how to tell. but won't they if her own bodily functions get in it ?


A:Yes,  it's possible. It depends on how severe they are. Most times bedsores can be protected with a cream applied liberally. But if they become infected,  they will look very angry red around the edges and/or ooze.  Here's a website that will tell you more about how to treat them properly:


A:My mother in law passed this year. She had lived with us for <time_period>. She came to live with us a little bit accidentally. She had tripped on a step outside and fell and broke her shoulder. Because she needed help with things for a while when she was discharged from the <institution>,  she came to stay with us. It wasn't until then that we realized that she was very adept at hiding her dementia and we felt like she was a hazard to herself to live alone and so she stayed with us. We believe her health was better for longer and she was happier being around family. There were many ups and downs and of course as time went on,  the downs became more frequent. At a point,  her <professional_practitioner> insisted that she go on <institution> because we needed help and couldn't do everything! We never knew that they were available to help for persons with dementia and what a blessing it was. I don't know if this is available for persons with dementia in all areas but if it is it will help you to keep your sanity. They are absolute angels! 
