ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING: ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

I am going back in time to July 2003. I had noticed many changes in my father in law like he could not stand still anymore. He would have to rock back and forth on each foot. When he sits in his chair, he does not stay still. He would either move his legs up and down or rocks himself in his chair which was not normal for him. He started to ask permission to go anywhere. He use to go for car rides. When ever I would go anywhere he would ask to go with me. But just as soon as we got to our destination he would want to go right back home.

His mind was getting more and more forgetful. He would say for instance he was going to the bathroom but would walk to his bedroom instead, walk around the room and come back out totally forgetting he needed to use the bathroom.

He is a very hard-headed person. I saw it some before his Alzheimer's. Mostly with my husband, when ever the two of them would talk and not agree. Well with his Alzheimer's his hard-headedness gets worse. For instance, when he would get dressed I would tell him to sit so he doesn't fall, but he would not listen to me, stand and struggle, almost falling as he would get dressed.

Does any of this sound familiar? Remember you are not alone. Alzheimer's disease has affected about 5.3 million people. Look for a good support group. This way you can listen to others and their experiences and get some good advice and give you a chance to vent. Get respite care. Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's is a 24hr - 7 day week job. If you don't take care of yourself how can you take care of anyone else. Most important of all, Remember it is the disease, not your loved one that is acting out.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com