﻿T:<diagnostic_test> Can Detect Alzheimer’s Disease Early	

Q:This looks very promising for proactive treatment of Alzheimer’s in the future. 
 Not sure how much is okay to paste in so I will leave link too. 
 In a study of <num> patients at <institution> in <location> with Alzheimer’s found they had more than twice as much beta-amyloid in their retinas. 
 <professional_practitioner> <name>,  of <institution>,  <location>,  said: “Analysis of retinal amyloid index (RAI) scores showed a <num>-fold increase in Alzheimer’s disease patients. 
  ”In early human development in the womb,  the retina of the eye is formed from the same tissue as the brain. 
 Even before this study there has been a suspicion that there is a link between the ratio of beta-amyloid protein in the eye and amyloid in the brain. 
 There is even a disease reference to 'dementia of the eye' and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is linked to a buildup of beta-amyloid proteins in the retina. 
 The <institution> team in an article entitled “Retinal Amyloid Pathology and Proof-of-Concept Imaging Trial in Alzheimer’s Disease” published recently in <name>,  say they believe beta-amyloid begins to accumulate in the eyes maybe <time_period> or more before symptoms develop in the brain. 
  The non-invasive technique developed by the <name> team with investigators at NeuroVision Imaging, <institution>,  <institution>,  and <institution> have their patients drink a solution containing the natural fluorescent yellow extract curcumin,  the main chemical in the curry spice turmeric. 
 Besides curcumin's natural fluorescent glow,  in a micronized form it can cross the blood-brain and blood-retina barrier then binds to the sticky amyloid plaques. 
 The curcumin solution highlights the amyloid deposits at the back of the eye using a portable extremity imaging device. 
 We recently reviewed on the best forms of curcumin supplements here. 
  <professional_practitioner> <name>,  M.  D. ,  chair of <institution> and <professional_practitioner> of the <institution> stated: Our hope is that eventually the investigational eye scan will be used as a screening device to detect the disease early enough to intervene and change the course of the disorder with medications and lifestyle changes. 
  	

T:Alzheimers Patients and the Adjustment to Assisted Living	

Q:My siblings and I just placed our mother,  <age>,  into the best <institution> we could find. 
She appears to be in Stage <num> and has deteriorated rapidly over the <season>. 
While living at home,  she seldom dressed without coaxing. 
She lost all interest in her appearance,  her house,  and the things she love. 
She was lost in the past,  only finding pleasure in looking at old photo albums. 
She is in a good deal of pain from degenerative disk diseases,  and found only moderate relief from <medication> and medication. 
 I would greatly appreciate any input on adjustment to assisted living. 
 She is having a very hard time,  and while it has only been <time_period>,  I am a bit concerned. 
 She calls me,  demands to be taken home,  says she will sue us,  hangs up on me. 
 The <professional_practitioner> told my sister and I (our brothers live elsewhere) that it's best if we give her time to adjust. 
  I'm sure much of this is not unusual. 
 But I'd like to hear your experiences. 
  Thanks. 
 It's been a tough <time_period> for me,  caring for my mother while my husband had prostate cancer and surgery for an aortic aneurysm. 
 I'm not complaining,  but I know I've got to manage my stress better. 
  Thank you. 
 
A:It's rough when having to make that transition from home to an <institution>. 
 You just never know how they are going to react. 
 My Gma did fairly well but in the beginning she did not want to be there - not that I blame her. 
 I just made it a point to visit her <time_period>,  sometimes <time_period>. 
 I would take her out to lunch or shopping. 
 She was not as far gone as your mother tho so I'm sure that made it a little easier. 
Taking care of someone with AZ can cause a lot of stress especially when the caretaker is dealing with things themselves. 
 I had a lot of health issues while trying to care for my Gma not to mention a wayward teen demanding my attention as well. 
 Talk about stress! My suggestion is give her some time. 
 It's a rough transition for everyone involved. 
 Try to get out there to see her as much as possible and do things with her that she enjoys,  even if it's looking at old photos. 
  Hang in there and please let us know how things go okay?


A:Hi <name>,  sorry to hear about your mom,  it is very hard to make the decision to do that. 
 I had my aunt with us and after <time_period> had to move her to a <institution> with a <institution>. 
 She didn't like it but I went <time_period> and took her to run errands with me and to lunch. 
 We hung photos on her walls so it was more homey. 
  The one thing I recommend to anyone with Alz family members is to go to the local <institution> as often as you can. 
 They will help you with coping skills,  teach you things to do and not do to make dealing with them easier. 
 What I did stop doing was bringing my aunt back to my house cuz she wanted to stay 'home' and would get very mad when I wanted to take her back. 
 So we stuck to neutral places and after a <time_period> it was pretty much okay. 
  Learn to change the subject quick,  when my aunt would get on something that was not good,  I would say something like 'did you see that dog?' . 
 she loved animals and I knew it would get her attention even if there was no dog but she would forget what she was rambling about and I could take the conversation somewhere else. 
 <time_period> will bring a new challenge but hang in there you are not alone. 
 I was always amazed at the people that would come by can speak to my aunt and commend me on taking care of her. 
 look for the special moments and cherish them. 
 it will make the bumps not so bad. 
 have a beautiful day


A:Thank you,  <name> and <name> for those really good tips. 
  We have learned in the <time_period> that my mother shows one face to us,  her daughters,  and another to the staff at the <institution>. 
 They believe she is doing fine,  and seems to spend a fair amount of time talking to other residents. 
 The father of one of my close high school friends and the mother of one of my former co-workers are there,  and since she shares a fairly uncommon first name with the other,  they have become meal partners. 
  When my mother sees us,  she gets angry and weepy. 
 This leads me to think there is some wisdom in the <professional_practitioner> advice to give her some time to adjust. 
  Since it appears my husband's prostate cancer was caught in time,  and his Triple A surgery is now behind us,  I am hoping I can start to relax a little and take care of me. 
  <name> in <location>


A:Dear <name>,  I cannot begin to stress enough how important it is that you take care of YOU first. 
 You have had SO much on your plate and I realize you are not complaining but the fact is you have had a lot of stress in your life and we all know what stress can do. 
 With that said. 
 my mom has Alzheimer's,  was diagnosed <time_period> and lived with me <time_period>. 
 I became very ill and could no longer do it and so she moved in with my sister for <time_period> and now is in <institution> for <time_period>. 
 She is at about the same stage as your mom,  maybe a little further along. 
 I have <num> sisters,  <num> is an <professional_practitioner> that works at the <institution>. 
 What I can tell you about AD is that some of what you mention about your mother is the disease. 
 most patients do withdraw. 
 The disease makes them very insecure. 
 All the confusion and memory loss is scary and can cause severe depression,  also anger for all they have lost. 
 Looking at photos is a very common interest in AD patients. 
 For them,  memories of the past are usually still with them and so it is a piece of their lives that they still have. 
 Try to find as many photo albums as you can and when you visit,  sit and look at them with your mom. 
 They will probably bring her comfort. 
 I am so very fortunate. 
 The transition into <institution> for my mom was unbelievably great,  but my sister does work there and I think that made it so easy,  mom knowing that <num> of her daughters was there. 
 We also visit quite often,  my other sister and I,  <num> of us is there <time_period> and sometimes <num> of us are there together. 
 If you have other questions,  please feel free to post. 
 I wish you well <name> (I too am <name>)



A:Oh,  thank you <name>,  AKA <name>,  I do appreciate your kind and thoughtful post. 
  Taking care of me has been the hardest part. 
 I have a very demanding job that keeps me occupied so I am rarely depressed,  but it does mean less alone time. 
  <name> in <location>



A:Glad I've joined this forum as reading everyone's posts helps me. 
 My mom has vascular dementia -- a bit different than ALZheimer's since she doesn't go back into the past. 
 What she has though is a LOT of anxiety and fear. 
 I had her in her condo for <time_period> with <time_period> companions because of her fear but it was breaking her bank account. 
 It couldn't go on even thought she liked having someone with her <time_period>. 
  I found a very nice,  <institution>. 
 She has a beautiful <num> bedroom apartment and can wander the halls walk up and down and go to the lobby and activities. 
  IT's been <time_period> and she's miserable. 
 I live <num> miles away and am working so have not been running up there and she wants me to stay overnight,  which is exhausting. 
 When I go there she doesn't want me to leave,  so to Pop in is difficult because she cries when I go. 
  I am going on vacation <date> for my birthday because <time_period> has been very difficult for me -- managing her finances and mine. 
  I am single and wonder if I should've just figured out a way to take her in,  but I knew inevitably with her dementia I'd have to move her anyway. 
  This <institution> told me that it's better to get them in while they can bond in the community before they move to another stage of their mental state. 
  I feel guilty all the time like I should be rescuing her or I should've taken her in. 
 Or OR Or. 
  I always thought I would take care of my mother in the last days of her life,  not have strangers takign care of her,  but I realized I'd have to ENTIRELY give up my work and my life to do it. 
  I fear I am going to have regrets when she passes away. 
  



A:Don't have regrets,  I lost my career taking care of my mom off and on for <time_period> and my DD with Williams syndrome,  she is <age>. 
 I am totally burned out and we moved back home forme to help with my MIL who has dementia/alzheimers. 
 I couldn't do it anymore,  plusher sister lived behind her with the same problems. 
 I ended up in the <institution> <date> with anxiety/stress attacks so finally convinced my husband to do something with his mom. 
  I was to the point either help me or I'm going to have to leave,  I mean I have <num>% burnout. 
  She is in a beautiful <institution>,  somehow the sisters who were close got into it so they are in <num> different <institutions>. 
 MIL is giving me grief,  calling and telling me its my fault she is in there and hallucinating about things too. 
 If we can keep her eating she does better but that's a problem. 
 I go there often as I can but its difficult for me,  I try to be nice to her. 
 She was never there for me and I have some resentment that I try to keep pushed down but its there. 
 I finally got our DD in a group home,  we would not have done it till <age> but her behavior got worse and worse. 
 I was dealing with all this as hubby worked overseas <time_period> and home <num>,  we did this for <time_period>. 
  She is so mad at me,  of course you can't reason with her,  but I told her I just can't takecare of her anymore. 
 Now I had a <diagnostic_test> and I'm going to have to go for a followup, they found changes. 
 <time_period> has just been to much. 
 So don't get yourself in the state ormess I'm in. 
 You can only do so much before you have to get help and don't feel guilty at all. 
  I am almost <age> so no young chicken either. 
 My husband is finally retiring and will be home the <date>,  I'm counting the days. 
 He saw how his mom was the last time he was home,  he can start dealing with her instead of me. 
 She blames me for everything and doesn't understand why I'm making her stay there. 
 I won't let him take her home. 
 I think at the state she is in now that home wouldn't work either,  she still thinks her sister is there and hasbeen told time after time she isn't. 
 It's a very sad disease for sure. 
 I wonder how long before she has to go to a more secure facility. 
  



A:Don't have regrets,  I lost my career taking care of my mom off and on for <time_period> and my DD with Williams syndrome,  she is <age>. 
 I am totally burned out and we moved back home forme to help with my MIL who has dementia/alzheimers. 
 I couldn't do it anymore,  plusher sister lived behind her with the same problems. 
 I ended up in the <institution> <date> with anxiety/stress attacks so finally convinced my husband to do something with his mom. 
  I was to the point either help me or I'm going to have to leave,  I mean I have <num>% burnout. 
  She is in a beautiful <institution>,  somehow the sisters who were close got into it so they are in <num> different <institutions>. 
 MIL is giving me grief,  calling and telling me its my fault she is in there and hallucinating about things too. 
 If we can keep her eating she does better but that's a problem. 
 I go there often as I can but its difficult for me,  I try to be nice to her. 
 She was never there for me and I have some resentment that I try to keep pushed down but its there. 
 I finally got our DD in a group home,  we would not have done it till <age> but her behavior got worse and worse. 
 I was dealing with all this as hubby worked overseas <time_period> and home <time>,  we did this for <time_period>. 
  She is so mad at me,  of course you can't reason with her,  but I told her I just can't takecare of her anymore. 
 Now I had a mammogram and I'm going to have to go for a followup, they found changes. 
 This year has just been to much. 
 So don't get yourself in the state ormess I'm in. 
 You can only do so much before you have to get help and don't feel guilty at all. 
  I am almost <age> so no young chicken either. 
 My husband is finally retiring and will be home the <date>,  I'm counting the days. 
 He saw how his mom was the last time he was home,  he can start dealing with her instead of me. 
 She blames me for everything and doesn't understand why I'm making her stay there. 
 I won't let him take her home. 
 I think at the state she is in now that home wouldn't work either,  she still thinks her sister is there and hasbeen told time after time she isn't. 
 It's a very sad disease for sure. 
 I wonder how long before she has to go to a more secure facility. 
  



A:I just joined this forum. 
 I am in a very similar situation as <name>. 
 Just moved mom from her home of <time_period> into <institution> <time_period>. 
 It's about <num> miles from me. 
 Mom has mild to moderate dementia. 
 She keeps packing her stuff and wants to leave. 
 Hates it there. 
 I talked to <professional_practitioner> about how it seems they need a transition person on staff to help people adjust. 
 Had long health care plan meeting with <num> staff people. 
 They basically were saying because they are concerned about mom escaping and her safety,  they think she should move into memory care. 
 I kept my cool but was livid. 
 It's ASSISTED LIVING not independent. 
 I have <num> siblings but I am doing <num>%. 
 I am single and work full time. 
 I'm so worried about my mom and am so stressed out. 
 I feel so bad for her and I feel so helpless. 
 It's killing me. 
 I had <professional_practitioners> coming to her house but she kept firing them. 
 She was burning things in microwave,  trying to walk to places,  and she can hardly walk. 
  



A:Assisted Living means the staff assists her. 
 The ones I've seen keep the doors unlocked so the residents can come and go as they please. 
 My dad lasted <time_period> in his <institution>. 
 Took him to a <institution> aka Full Lockdown so that all involved (except him) could get some peace of mind about him not getting out. 
  
