What do you wish you knew then, that you know now?
Looking back at when you, or your loved one, was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's and knowing what you know now ... what information do you wish you were better equipped with? How would that have changed things?
How important it is to get a diagnosis! Once we understood what the problem was, we could start to address it. We were first directed to a speech therapist, apparently they have special training to be able to assess this problem.
my mom was seeing a speech therapist who suggested we see a neurologist for a baseline exam. That’s when our Alzheimer’s Disease journey began. She helped mom with her word finding issues. It was helpful. Blessings, Kathy M team member. I wish I knew how long or how fast the disease would progress and how to pace myself. I thought it was bad before. That was good compared to now. I think I wasted some mental anguish. I wish I had made more phone calls. She had trouble talking then, but she could do it. Now it’s nearly impossible. But now may be good compared to next month. Seize the day. Blessings, Kathy M team member.
That it’s possible for a parent to have symptoms as early as 30 years old based according to recent research. When the symptoms of “young onset” Alzheimer patient’s manifest it’s absolutely devastating and extremely cruel to child offspring because the mother child bond is lost as fear and lack of trust takes over. Irrational physical attacks on the child out of the blue without explanation causes trauma to the child. False cruel accusations against the offspring and tyrant authoritarianism was witnessed with no apology decades later because the mother didn’t ever recall them. Young onset Alzheimers wasn’t recognized in the 1970’s and my mother covered up everything she said and did likely because she forgot about it. My mother was so delusional and no one protected us. Mother was finally diagnosed in 2021 with advanced Alzheimers that was far too late to shield her children that lasted a lifetime of cruel cringe worthy encounters. Mother made up things in her head that my aunt Becky died of breast cancer in the 1970’s that was false, she just divorced her husband and moved. My other aunt recently reported my mother told her nothing of what happened to my sister who actually died at 35. I barely made it through this life that’s been a nightmare full of tragedy and trauma. My mothers Alzheimers made her a dangerous enemy to my mental health and future. Thanks Patty: My dad’s side didn’t like doctors so he didn’t think much of her issues being abnormal. There was a sense of terror at times of mother overreacting and panicking but a dam broke above our home washing it away in 1963 so it was easy to believe her trauma came from that event. I have the Alzheimer’s gene at the top of my genetics chart. Mom’s brother died of Alz as well.
Do you have any book recommendations of the psychological attributes of early onset Alzheimer’s? I want to make sure I don’t develop the symptoms. Thanks again for reaching out to me.
Thanks Patty: My dad’s side didn’t like doctors so he didn’t think much of her issues being abnormal. There was a sense of terror at times of mother overreacting and panicking but a dam broke above our home washing it away in 1963 so it was easy to believe her trauma came from that event. I have the Alzheimer’s gene at the top of my genetics chart. Mom’s brother died of Alz as well. Do you have a book recommendation of the psychological attributes of early onset Alzheimer’s? I want to make sure I don’t develop the symptoms. Thanks again for reaching out to me!
It’s is tragic when a child is unprotected. It sounds like you have grown into advocating for yourself in spite of your circumstances. That is brilliant. Keep reaching out. There are support groups available. Blessings, Kathy M team member.
OMGoodness! I have so many questions but am doing my due diligence by reading and watching videos (LOVE TEEPA SNOW) all that I can to educate myself on how to care for my loved one. We see the
neurologist on May 15th. Just trying to not make him hate me! We just married 2 years ago.We're glad that you found us. Please let us know if you have questions we might be able to help with or provide resources for. This can be a difficult journey, and we're here to support you! Warmly, Patty, Team Member 
Thank you for sharing the process that you are going through to care for him. This is a lot to deal with after two years of marriage. I think the more you research the better you will be able to manage challenges ahead. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Scott AlzheimersDisease.net Team Member
