HELp!!!???

[saturngirl (Sandy Knox)]

Hi!My grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimers years ago (Hes 85 now)and hes really going down hill.Hes at home still(My grandmother died 1 1/2 years ago)so my aunt Is taking care of him.Hes getting soooooooooo skinny and Is totally dependent on Diapers(depends)and cant really go anywhere or walk good.He doesnt know too much anymore and is easily irritated.Now hes having hallucinations-Is this all normal?Is he In a late stage??Any help would be appreciated,my family doesnt know alot about this disease.His meds are-Reminyl(4 mg)Zyrexa(5mg)Altace (2.5mg)I sure would love to know more.Thanks!!!

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Sandy

[SnowyLynne (Lynne)]

Sandy,Yes this is normal for him.

I was dx with Alzheimer's 6 yrs.ago.I was on Aricept the first 4 years.I now take Renimyl the full dose of 24 mg.per day.

[howard_RN (patsy howard)]

Sandy,
Your grandfather is probably reaching the end stage of senility or altzhiemers. For our elderly, nutrution plays a huge role in their memory and every day health so consider his food intake daily. Unrinary tract infections are another problem that rarely show symptoms in the elderly and cause incontience. All of the above can problems with memory and hallucinations as well as altzheimers. Make sure your physician is aware of your grandfather's deteriorating condition and see if he can order home health so a Nuse can evaluate his condition and make suggestions. The Nurses should also be able to get your family some relief with bathing and daily care. Good luck and I hope you can help your grandfather live comfortably. It's wonderful he has someone as concerned as you in his life.

[pilot890 (nancy)]

hey there,

[SnowyLynne (Lynne)]

Yes,Nameda was approved,& my Insurance covers it when my time comes to take..........

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SnowyLynne

[AuSsieG1rL (ness)]

In a way, you could say I know plenty.  Both of my grandparents have this disease.  I lost my grandfather in 1998 to it.  My grandma was diagnosed in 1999.  She "had" to have some heart surgery or whatever and they blamed lack of Oxygen to it.  There, I believe, are many different types and phases of this disease because we ended up having to put my grandfather in a home because no matter how closely we watched him, he was still able to sneak out the house; my grandma on the other hand is in a hospital bed on an air mattress.  My dad works for a Home health Care thing and so it was very easy for us to be able to find assistance in taking care of my grandma. Yes, it is 2004 and she is still here.  She was born in 1919, too.  All I can really say is make your grandpa as comfy as possible.  My grandma is so far gone that we can barely get enough nutrition down her, and she doesn't show pain.  She takes Hydrocodone (still, I think), for pain when they had to extract some teeth that she was literally chewing away.  She is in diapers and we have a nurse who comes 3 days a week that changes her and bathes her.  It has been really stressful because my mom has been forced to work on weekends only now since I and my sister and brother have gotten older and are in college now (Sophomore, Junior, "Senior").  My sister still has a few more years of school before graduating and then will be planning a wedding.  And, I, am soon to go off to a university and leave the Community college atmosphere.

You may want to see if your city has anything like a Home Health Care Service in which a nurse, aide, whatever, will come to the house, most likely 3 times a week, and do what is needed to help you take care of your grandfather.  The service we use also has a 24 hour on call unit where if my grandma has a "seizure" they will come out and assist the inncident and do/call whatever whomever needed to make it pass.  Please let me know if this helps and whatnot!

Sincerely,
  AuSsie

[SnowyLynne (Lynne)]

Sandy,with all the imformation out out there,your family needs to learn about it,teach them...........

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SnowyLynne

[Roseyq (Jane)]

Hi Sandy,

My dad passed away from Alzhiemer's in a nursing home. I got to his bedside on his last day but an hour too late and didn't get the chance to say good-bye. I would say to you, talk to him all the time and help him remember all the good times and how much he means to you. Try to get him to drink lots of liquids if he is able because I believe dehydration really intensifies the symptoms of the disease. The late stage for my dad was when he refused food (or just couldn't remember how to eat or swallow). Still, I always believed he could hear and understand what we said to him even though he couldn't respond so let him hear your loving words.

My Love to you and your family

[SnowyLynne (Lynne)]

The love & feelings are still there,you just need to know how to get it out,but if he's too far into the disease,you may never..............

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SnowyLynne

[elissajo (Melissa)]

Sandy,

[saturngirl (Sandy Knox)]

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES!MYGRANDFATHERS DIED sEPT 24,2004

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Sandy

[Lyn_Kyle_Emerick (Lyn Kyle)]

So sorry for your loss

** Always remember HE is watching over you at all times and is no longer in pain ........**

Lyn

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[Lyn_Kyle_Emerick (Lyn Kyle)]

How are you making out hun I do know what you are going thru honestly
Lyn

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[Lyn_Kyle_Emerick (Lyn Kyle)]

bump

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