My mother was diagnosed with dementia then developed in to alzheimer's disease. It is the most devasting thing to happen to the family. She is now in a nursing home and family visits her all week I have a brother and sister and me and our dad. It is hard but all you can do is love them. We do her fingernails and hair and we were able to bring her home for fathers day in a wheel chair which I believe made a word of difference. Just stay together and be there for each other because it effects the family the most and the pain of missing our mother, even though she is there physically. Enjoy your time with them as long as you can.

Support and resources are available from the Alzheimer's Association

To all those here who are looking for guidance, information and support, the Alzheimer’s Association is here to help. Our nationwide organization has 300 local points of service to provide support to people with Alzheimer's, their families and caregivers.

The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline provides reliable information and support to all – people with memory loss, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the public. Call us toll-free anytime day or night at 1-800-272-3900.

Our highly trained and knowledgeable staff can help you with:
· Warning signs that someone may have Alzheimer's.
· Understanding memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's.
· Medications and other treatment options.
· General information about aging and brain health.
· Skills to provide quality care and to find the best care from professionals.
· Legal, financial and living-arrangement decisions.
· Confidential care consultation provided by master's level clinicians who can help with decision-making support, crisis assistance and education on issues families face every day.
· Referrals to local community programs, services and ongoing support.

As an alternative, please visit us on the Internet at www.alz.org to access a host of information and resources.

Dr. Peter Reed
Senior Director, Programs
Alzheimer’s Association

I know why NBC is my news channel. You guys are great.
I am a 57 year old male, with early onset Alzheimers. My Grandmother, Grandfather and Mother all died from the complications of this disease. The diagnosis was devastating, but I have decided that it does not have to be a death sentence. I live each day knowing that I have ALZ, but,I survive each day knowing that ALZ does not have me. ALZ is not losing memory; it is losing the ability to recall. The signs we (people with ALZ) show the public is our frustration with forgetting, being lost (althought we know how to get where we are when we become frustrated and lost, or not remembering numerous other facts and common daily things.
I have taught myself not to become frustrated. As a former systems manager I keep my mind busy and I do not tell most people about my illness ( 6 years now) because they start talking more softly; begin to speak to me like I am retarded; or want to feel sorry for me. We (ALZ'ers) do not want sympathy, but we need understanding and compassion for the things we can know longer change about ourselves. I have lived a very good life and am not worried about dying, but I refuse to give up without giving this disease the fight of it's life. I spent my first 3 months on Aricept sick every day, but, even now, unless I tell a person I meet they will not know. Take the Medicine it works and stay mentally busy.

My mom is 60 years old. I have been worried about her for the last two years and my dad and sister have not believed there is a problem. She forgets how to cook basic dishes and forgets her best friend's name along with countless other signs. She will not get tested and no one seems to want to admit to this problem. If there are drugs that can even help a bit I want her on them. I don't know what to do I think about it all the time and cry every day.

My husband is 47 and has signs and symptoms of Alzheimers; we have two young kids; he has been treated with the meds, which made him horribly sick. Now we treat it holistically. His mother had the disease at age 50 and died by age 60. I have never felt so much pain with this disease. We can only sit by and watch the brain slowly die and take our precious loved ones. So much pain...

For thoes of you who are frightend about this disease, PLEASE... support stem cell research! It is the only way to find a cure for this devastating disease. Drugs and therapy do not work. Forget politics and the controversy surrounding it. If you want definitive treatments, we have to look at stem cells.

You so kindly and solicitously comment about the terrible tragedy of Alzheimers, and you state that there will be more of these patients soon, but you don't say why you believe that. But you're right, there ARE going to be more and more cases. Why???

Have you looked at the skies lately? There is an organized effort going on in our skies called CHEMTRAILING. Have someone on your staff research it (start with weatherwars.info published by a meterologist in Idaho). There is plenty of information, but NEVER has there been a public statement or warning issued about the contents of those long, long trails -- NOT normal jet contrails -- which lay in the sky in parallel lines, cross each other in checkered patterns, create haze and then cloud cover where there were perfectly crystalline blue skies just hours earlier. Sometimes this goes on all day, planes crossing the sky in five minute intervals in areas that have no normal air traffic. Meteorologists will tell you you're looking at "high cirrus clouds," even though you stood outside your own house and watched them being made.

ALUMINUM is one of the major components of those trails. It doesn't take a genius to understand gravity. What's UP THERE ends up DOWN HERE in our air, water, soil, plants, animals. Aluminum has, of course, been found accumulated in abnormal amounts in the brains of Alzheimers patients. It is considered "related" to that disease. Aluminum can be ingested, breathed in, and absorbed through the skin. The body cannot use aluminum; it accumulates; it can be moved around in the body but not chelated out ... so we, including YOU and your children, are stuck with whatever is being done in our skies that no one seems to be able to get a straight answer about.

This program of chemtrailing has been going on for years all over the world. I've kept a calendar for my local area, marking the days when trails were laid. I've written my senator and congressman and have never gotten an answer about who is doing this and whether this is my tax dollars at work -- poisoning people and everything else.

They alert us about pollens so we can stay indoors, or temperature inversions so we won't breathe the air, but there has NEVER been a public alert about chemtrailing. I ask you to please research this ... tell us why we will be getting Alzheimers soon.

Sincerely,
Fran F., Salem, VA

Most problems associated with Alzheimer's can be caused by a lack of connection to Nature and the natural flow of the world beyond the "Time is Money" paradigm. Often, the information age can be seen as pumping too much into our systems and we can get overloaded. For balance and restoration of abilities, we can simplify our lives and be sure to get out in nature more often. There is also great evidence that marijuana can help a great deal with Alzheimers without any side effects other than the legal ones which are quite unjust in light of the benefits from this ancient plant.

Thank you for addressing the Alzheimer's epidemic.
Personally, I think it's a dissociative disorder. M Mom's journey into darkness began after my older brother committed suicide. In retrospect, I wish that I would have tried to get her an antidepressant at that point. She really never got over his death.
I am trying to take care of my Mom. Her assisted living care was about to go up to $3,000/month, and I could no longer afford it. I can't afford not to work either. My own retirement and life is in jeopardy, but I can not bear the thought of placing her in a nursing home. Alternatives to that solution need to be prepared for my generation. I don't want my son to be in my position. I trust in the Lord to sustain me
through this difficult time.
Susan

I have a 68 year old mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. As of three years ago, she was perfectly fine and we never would have expected what would transpire next. My mother is now in her final stage of this terrible and tragic disease. The past couple of years have been nothing but heartache and pain for my mother and my family. It is unbelievable to see how quickly this disease took over my mother. I refer to Alzheimer's as a disease that robs the mind yet has a mind of it's own. My late grandfather had Alzheimer's as well late in life but the disease took it's time over the course of ten years. Now I wonder what the future holds for me. It truly scares me. I hate to think that my children would have to watch me lose my mind as I have watched my own mother lose hers. Please hope that we find a cure soon. I am terrified of this disease!

I have always referred to Alzheimer's as a disease with a mind of its own yet it robs another one's mind. My mother is 68 years old suffering with Alzheimer's. She is now at the point of the final stage of this tragic disease. It has overcome her so quickly. Three years ago she was perfectly fine and nobody had a clue as to what would transpire next. My late grandfather had Alzheimer's as well later in life and the disease progressed much more slowly over the course of 10 years. I am terrified as to what will happen to me. The pain and suffering that this disease inflicts upon the victim and there families is almost unbearable. I so hope that that a cure is right around the corner.

Vitamins "C" 1000mg and "E" 1000iu (within the same units: 2000mg, 2000iu) should be taken in combo(together) and should be explained properly in your document. Individually taken at these high dosage levels they are considered toxic as well as an antioxidants and taken in combo they cancel out each other.

I have attended a number of dementia siminars with MDs describing the usage of Vitamin "C" and "E" as an effective measure. Low dosage of "C" and "E" has limited effect. The high dosage of "C" and "E" has shown to be effective as a preventive measure for demential. Again it must be taken in combo.

I am a 47 year old male with a 93 year old grandmother who has had Alzheimer's Disease for several years now. I am concerned due to the links seem to be hereditary in nature. My paternal side of the family has the visible signs at this time. Being the male, I am wondering if there are greater odds of contracting symptoms of this disease? Any genetically minded professionals care to give me any thoughts on how great my chances are of knowing where to go with my fears at this point? My greatest concerns have to be when and if forgetting things in daily life should give me pause for reflection am I getting this disease myself? Help Wanted Please!!!

Seeing people younger than I with the beginnings of this very distressful disease is very scary. I am 71 and every once in a while sometimes think that I am "slipping." Am I on the way to Alzheimers?

The thing that is never mentioned about Alzheimers is what I call "the knowing:. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease in 2001. The worst thing I've encountered so far is the look in her eyes when I know she actually realizes what her condition is. They never mention that in the pamphlets. Even now, 7 years after a diagnosis, I still see glimmers of realization in her eyes from time to time. Not nearly as often, but it's still there. She knows something is badly wrong with her mind. It's the most heartbreaking thing I've encountered. My independent mother, looking at me with the horror of realization in her eyes... even just for a fleeting moment... is not something I expected to encounter. It's at those times the disease is most cruel.

I pray for a cure. I pray for knowledge of the cause. I pray I won't know if it's happening to me.

My husband died last Christmas morning from dementia at the age of 62. They call everything Alzheimers.
It started in his middle 50's. He had a t i a. There were no signs of stroke. About a year after,he started doing strange things. He started stuttering. In 2000 I had him examined by a neurologist, and had an MRI done on his brain. In the year 2002 another one was done, and it showed his brain shrunk. It was down hill from there. He still recognized people. His speech was gone. He could only say some single words. We started him on depacote, for seizures last August. He started walking more upright, and was getting his appetite back. He even started talking a little more. I was hoping he was improving, until he got pneumonia.
When I first noticed his behavior, I put him on Andrew Lessmans Mens health. He seemed more alert. I also gave him phosidile - choline, after about a month he could put his bowling shoes and ball in his bag by himself. I turned around one night and he was sitting there waiting for me to finish up. I kept him bowling until, the hospital put him in a mental ward, which made him worse. In 2005 I started him with Carnation Instant breakfast shakes. It helped quite a bit. He took Aricept for 5 years. I noticed more improvement with supplements. I play a lot of word games on my computer. Keep your mind busy!!!!
I had to watch my husband of 38 years, drift away.
If anyone has questions my e-mail is karrfly@aol.com

My dad was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at the age of 56. His siblings did not believe what we saw on a daily basis. We, as family members, need to educate everyone about this very horrible debilitating disease. We have to live through good times and not so good times but we get through it and become stronger knowing that no matter what, we loved and took care of our family member with this disease until the end.

My father died of Alzheimer's at age 75...he suffered from diabetes for 30 plus years..his older brother also had diabetes & Alzheimer's...his older sister had early onset Alzheimer's..about age 45...I have three siblings who are diabetic...two younger sisters & a younger brother...I am 50 years old & sometimes feel I'm losing my ability to remember things...I exercise by dancing/pilates 3 1/2 hours a week..I don't smoke, drink moderately & not overweight...I wonder about the connection between diabetes & Alzheimer's & it scares me that I may develop memory loss...Sometimes I feel that my thoughts just disappear from my mind...they are there one second & gone the next...What can I do to keep my mind healthy?? I don't like medicine/drugs...

As a person with early onst, I would recommend that others with it get in touch with the Dementia Advocacy and Support Network. Our Yahoo group is a wonderful support for people who are isolated and confused. Sign in to Yahoo and search for DASN.

someone correct me if I am wrong. Parkinson's is a neurology disease and Alzheimer's is a memory Right? My mother has Parkinson's with Dementia.

I am very interested in the research on alzhimers. My father, his father, and every member of my fathers family has had one child with alzhimers. I have a sister that has been recently diagnoised and I am worried about myself. I am 70yrs. old and very active but have memory problems. Anything you can tell me will be helpful. Other members of my family are also concerned. Thanks, please keep my email site private.

My father was diagnosed with dementia in 2000. He has severe short-term memory loss. He has been on Aricept for several years. I have asked several doctors if this is Alzheimers Disease but no one will diagnose it as that. Some say it is the same and in later stages it becomes Alzheimers. My mother, brother, sister and I all have memory problems. We want to know if we are in danger of having the disease or is our memory loss nothing to worry about. We can't have a normal conversation because we can't remember details, names or places that you need to have a coherent conversation. We need someone to fill in the blanks for us!

This is a devastating disease. My father died 2 years ago Dec. 6th from Alzheirmer's. His uncle and sister both died from it also. I am SCARED to death that I am going to get it. I hope to heck they figure this out because I don't want my family to go through what I went through. It's hard to put in words and not until you have gone though it do you understand how bad it really is. I would LOVE to know if there is really anything I can do to prevent it? Thank, Kelly Forbes in Orland, Ca.

I am a social worker employed at an adult day treatment center for Alzheimer patients. I witness the caregiver's suffering through the progression of this disease in those they love. Many times I see them suffering the most with little respite available. At least having the patient's participate in daycare treatment allows them the opportunity for socialization and stimulation of those brain cells that helps them reproduce by keeping them active. Above all, it provides at least eight hours a day respite for caregivers and allows the Alzheimer patient to remain living at home.

It is about time more attention is being focused on Early OnSet Alzheimer's. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's brings problems to families that have this disease at a young age. For instance they are usualy still in the work force and may have children at home or have the expense of college.
My husband was diagnosed with Early On Set Azheimer's at the age of 59. There were sign of problems at least four years earlier. He could not do his job as a Chemical Engineer and had to retire without knowing why he was having problems. We did not know that people in there 50's could have Alzheimer's. It took another year and a half before we obtained a diagnosis. Thank you NBC for bringing this story on your nightly news.