Those of you who've had parents with dementia, alzheimers, memory issues in aging......was there any medication doctors have given them to actually help with it? Neither of my mom's doctors (where she lived before and her doctor she has here, now) has said there is anything to give her that would help her memory. I have had more than one person say something like "check with her doctor" and again was suggested that today by her "boyfriend".
She called me earlier from his phone saying her phone stopped working. I asked if she's got it charged? she said yes and I heard him in the background saying "you need a new phone, it's dead". Ok, well time to get a new one then. (she's had this flip phone FOREVER). I told her I'll come in in the morning and take her to get a new phone. Then a few hours later she calls me from her phone. Oh, she says, I guess it was just something I was doing wrong. Then she said her friend wanted to talk to me. He said her memory is getting bad and she can't remember how to use her phone. Come to figure out, she apparently didn't realize she had turned her phone completely off. He thinks I need to take her to her doctor and see if there is some medicine she can take for her memory.....I told him I've discussed her memory with her doctor, but I don't think there is anything that will help.
Like what? is there really such a thing? I've never come across it, other than read a few things about medication for people to try for early onset alzheimers, to try to hold it off as long as possible. From everything I have researched, at her age, we just have to deal with it, it is what it is. Some days are better than others and then throw in something like accidentally turning off her phone, she gets upset and worried and then I'm sure him trying to help her, just gets her more overwhelmed. Been there with her like that, more than once. Maybe I should have her get a landline phone, as back up. They make phones where you can pre-program a few number with person's picture or name for easy dialing.
The only things I have been told by her doctors (and from what I've read) is she needs to keep as active as possible, have socialization and eat balanced meals, which she gets where she is living. I don't think there is anything they can give her to reverse what her brain is doing. She's had an MRI of her brain done by her previous doctor.
I read an article years ago about doing chelation for alzheimer's. That is all I remember except the woman recovered and went on to write a book. Maybe it was just dementia, not alzheimer's. If you find out anything, let us know.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure she even has Alzheimer's. Her previous doctor, that did the MRI, said she has severe short term memory loss, whatever that exactly means. The only medications I am reading about are for Azlheimers and it says they only help for about 6-12 months and then the disease usually is progressing too much to help much after that. It's just frustrating to know what to say when people tell me what to do for her, but doctors aren't saying there is something they can do.
DeleteThere is not much more you can do for your mom. My dad suffered too and lived in an assisted living. I knew he was well cared for and he loved the food. We were told you have to catch the memory lost very very early for medication to help. Now my 79yr sister in law is suffering memory loss or what ever they call it. She lives on her own and does not do much but stay home and mow her lawn. She hardly eats. We lived 1200 miles away so it is hard but she has 3 daughter's that really dont care. I say do what you are doing as you are a great daughter.
ReplyDeletethank you Itsy. Everything you say is what I've been told and researched on my own. At her visit in June that I took her to (when they did some cognitive tests, like draw the clock), the doctor said the best thing to do to help is stay active and eat healthy. That is sad about your sister in law. My mom stays very busy, likes the people, the activities and eats well. Seems about all I can do, other than just keep a close eye on when she may be ready for more assistance.
Deletealso what I have realized is the most helpful is just her having as less stress and things to confuse her as possible, which living where she does and close to me now, is much better.
DeleteThis personal story was narrated by her son. She was an educator, I believe. I don't remember what she had, just memory loss is what sticks with me now. I wish I had saved the article. It was probably a hoax.
ReplyDeleteNot sure it helps, my husband has leukemia (AML) and has been on MANY prescription drugs in the past 2 years. There were several that effected his memory and brain function. I strongly "suggested" that the doctor take him off of it and try something else. Once it got out of his system his memory and function returned. Maybe could be some medication she is taking?
ReplyDeleteWe have worked on that with both her past and current dr's. I discovered she had been taking OTC "PM" type advil and tylenol, who knows for how many years, but sounds like very regularly and those can cause memory issues. It definitely caused her to have mornings where she didn't feel well and once I stopped her taking those she was much better mornings, but did not help her memory get any better.
DeleteI believe what you believe. There may be some medications for people who just are not as sharp as they once were but I don't think that is the issue with your mom.
ReplyDeleteSocializing, playing games, puzzles, generally being active is what she needs. Unfortunately there is no magic pill.
I think so, too. It just feels like when someone says what her friend said, it's like I'm not doing what I should be/could be doing for her.
DeleteYou are doing just fine & I know it's not easy. ;)
Delete