My mom just got diagnosed with Alzheimer's?

Question

Hello, I am 20 years old and my mother who is 52 has been diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer's disease. It's sort of contradicting though because it's early on set because she is young, not in the early stages. My dad has said she is in stage 5. I haven't had time to read into more information but I'm just looking for any opinions on how to treat my mom now. She's sad sometimes, we cry a lot since we found out a few days ago. Do we keep living as normal as we can? Do we try to take more vacations and special trips or activities together? We knew something like his was on the horizon but didn't think it would happen to fast, I thought I would be older and have some of my life figured out. Now when I pictures life in the future and try to imagine my mother not in it it doesn't hurt because she hasn't been herself for a few years now but it makes me feel lost. To top the cake, my older sister is 7 months pregnant and is taking it rather hard. I know I shouldn't think this but I so envious that my mom got to see her get married and now be pregnant, and soon have a baby and I have a feeling she will not see that happen for me. As sad as it makes me sometimes I try to look at it as something nice, like instead of not having my mom as I get older, I try to see it as I'll have an angel looking over me which might be just as nice. I know she is still alive now but this has progressed rather rapidly in the past 2 years. If someone could just reach out or if you have any experience with this sort of thing, please respond. I am participating in an End Alzheimer's Walk next month and going to support groups this week.
Thanks for any replys.

Answer 1

You may want to check out www.alzheimers.gov. It's a website for those caring for people with Alzheimer's. It has resources for those battling the illness. It's a fairly comprehensive site.



http://www.alzheimers.gov/

Answer 2

I advise information superhighway help communities. He has no decision in some unspecified time interior the destiny. A nursing homestead will become the only real decision in some unspecified time interior the destiny. He could verify nonetheless that the homestead has a separate ward for those with dimentia, so she gets the supervision required. As for books, ask the well being care expert for recos and touch the national Alzheimer's Assn.

Answer 3

Dear BG,



That's a terribly rough and emotionally painful diagnosis for both of you. While you're both doing the best you can to cope with the challenges as they come, don't forget to focus on the positve - what your Mom can do and wants to do.



For the support of others who have "been there," check out the Alzheimer's Association, by asking your same questions on their message board for issues dealing with "Younger-Onset A.D." at:

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=topics&f=152



Call their 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 to ask them:

1. if there is any local community support group just for you (and/or your mom), that is focused upon early onset A.D., which is now referred to more often as "Younger-Onset A.D." Here's an example of one such group in Chicago (which has been written up in several articles at the bottom of the web page: http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1227284204568.html

2. if there's any literature they can send you on planning options or guidance on how to cope with an the early onset A.D.

3. those other questions you have.



See their website section on younger-onset A.Z., at: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_early_onset.asp#resources



Beyond their online & community "support groups," also see their

"Alz Connected" section for a few other possible types of available help: https://www.alzconnected.org/



You spoke of getting some help with a plan. So, see their

"Alzheimer's Navigator" section at:

https://www.alzheimersnavigator.org/



It's a long-shot, but just check to see if there's possibly any "Young Onset Alzheimers" group near you by going to: www.MeetUp.com Here's an example of what one of those MeetUp community support groups look like: http://www.meetup.com/Young-Onset-Alzheimers-Dementia-Caregiver-Connection/members/0



Hope this may be helpful to both of you.

Be sure to take good gentle care of yourself and your Mom.



- Ed