Taking Care of Parents

[John Galt]

the f**k dude? i didn't say it wasn't horrible, i said it doesn't start as confusion.

[cool_chick]

I didn't read the thread but something that comes to my mind is stroke. Maybe TIAs (mini-strokes).

Also, there are 6 different types of dementia, alzheimers being only one of them. It doesn't have to be alzheimers, but could still be a form of dementia. My mother has a form of dementia brought on by TIAs. It's tough. I think you're right to be concerned. If it is TIAs, he can take aspirin to help prevent more of them.

Also note, if you ever suspect a stroke, get them to the hospital RIGHT NOW. There is only a couple of hours in which damage can be minimized. My father had a stroke and he ended up in skilled care. The brain isn't something to f**k around with (nor the heart). Don't ignore it.

[cool_chick]

Wow, I'm so sorry Dude, Menson and NAB. Tough stuff to live through.

[Medius]

[The Dude]

[exploited]

Luckily for me, both my parents are still totally with it, but I know there's a possibility that won't always be the case. I can't speak from experience but I can only think that this is one of those things where there's no way to confront it that wont be totally awful, so you just gotta suck it up and confront it. Sorry, I know this isn't very helpful.

[eynon81]

[eynon81]

[eynon81]

[jimmyz]

Denial may preclude a serious conversation with the afflicted family member. So you have to turn to their closest loved ones and family for their cooperative support. I always tell my kids to keep me in clean adult diapers, nutritious food, my favorite liquor, heat in the winter and AC in the summer. Other than a tether to keep me from walking away those are my requests in the case my halfzheimers turns into alzheimer's. My personal requests aside, I recommend a iron-clad trust just in case the kiddos want to get tricky with my money and personal care.