709 Alzheimer's Action Plan

My name is Kathy (38 years old) and I am the primary caregiver for my 80 year-old Dad who has Alzheimer's disease and lives with me in North Carolina.

I realized that my Dad had severe dementia after my Mom passed away in 2004, and he moved in with me.

We have a full time (private pay) home health aide, Gloria, who stays at our home with Dad while I am working.

I have a full time job as a TV lighting sales rep and a family of my own including my love, David, his 13 year-old daughter Jessica and our two dogs. Additionally, I am a volunteer for Senior Services and a member of the Forsyth County Caregiver Coalition.

In 2007, my eldest sister and I developed www.KnowItAlz.com, a comprehensive website designed to help Caregivers of people with dementia.

When Dad first came to live with us, I thought my life was over at 34. Then, we made a decision. We can give up and let this ruin our lives or we can fight.

At our house, we use Razadyne, Namenda and laughter to fight Alzheimer’s.

On my website, I am writing a daily blog that shows the lighter side of caregiving, and offers tips for caregivers. It forces me to write down one funny thing about my life with Dad every single day. That is very therapeutic and an important part of making me a better caregiver.

Although he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I am committed to making sure my Dad will not suffer from this disease. And hopefully, those of us who love him will not suffer either.

Thanks,
Kathy

www.KnowItAlz.com
My caregiver blog

I am a 61 year old female who was diagnosed with small blood vessel disease 10 years ago and probable Alzheimer's disease 3 years ago. My mother and aunt died in their 70's of Alzheimer's (proven by autopsy). My sister also has Alzheimer's. I had cross-generational care and so many early subtle changes were noticed and treated before I had noticeable cognitive changes. In particular I was falling, loss coordination, and had other Parkinsonian- type symptoms. I was treated for these and for my newly occurring depression through a patch called Selegiline (aka Eldepryl).

I now am hiking on snowy hills for hours and am finding my words better. I still have to pace myself to prevent fatigue especially from over-stimulating social gatherings.

It was in meeting and creating a data base with other persons with early memory loss that we are documenting similar early markers, similar environmental factors (such as DDT on the farm), but also what helps us. See www.formemory.org.

I myself find cranio sacral therapy and other integrative remedies contributing to my improvement. My nutrition includes Omega 3's by fish oil supplements and by grass-fed animal products, anti-oxidant organic fruits and vegetables, and anti-inflammatory herbs. I avoid sugar and corn syrup. I avoid toxins like MSG, food dyes, artificial sweeteners and insecticides. I advocate for eliminating toxins in our food, water, soil and air.

Because of the compromise in my brain-blood barrier, I am like the proverbial canary in the coal mine. Toxins affect me before others. But instead I want to be like the bald eagles I am photographing near here. The eagle was an incentive to regulate DDT generally, but the regulation has helped many species including us humans. Many of us with memory challenges are living with hope by sharing our stories.

love your show. i work with folks who have alz dz. this episode was spot on. thanks

Although my father had dementia from age 82 until death at 86 he was never diagnosed as having Alzheimer's. He was an alcoholic until he was 67 and he smoked 3 packs of cigarettes per day. He had lung cancer when he was 75, lost weight down to 85 pounds and completely recovered. His diet was very heavy in fat. He had no other problems. His parents and grandparents lived into their 90s and had no health problems, with the exception of glaucoma (maternal grandparents).

My mother lived until age 85, was hypertensive, overweight, hypertensive, type 2 diabetes, very high cholesterol and heart problems and she did not take the medicines prescribed for her. She was extremely active until age 75. When she was 79 her memory began to decline, but she still drove, lived independently and remarried. She had a rather rapid onset of severe dementia at age 83 and died at age 85.

My sister was just diagnosed with early Alzheimer's at age 71.

I am a white female age 73 very active, controlled hypertension, controlled cholesterol problem, and a life long vegetarian. I walk 4 miles a day and do resistance training and flexibility training 3 times per week. I serve on several boards, have learned many new things since retiring at age 67 as CEO of a large health care system. Over the last two years I have had difficulty finding the word I have in mind when talking. I remember the first letter of the word and the meaning and can use another word in stead of the one I intended to use. I do not have this problem when writing. The problem is getting worse. I had a brain baseline test done 3 years ago and scored high average with respect to functioning.

I live independently and travel all over the world with ease. I am able to solve very complex problems and am an excellent project manager.

Has anyone else had similar problems and similar backgrounds? If so please offer me some insight into my situation. My doctor does not seem to be concerned and says that I am his role model for aging. Are my symptoms compatible with Alzheimer's or another condition other than aging? I have had Full body screening with CAT scan and other screening tests for circulatory and blood vessel problems. All were negative for any abnormalities.
The diagnostician at the brain health center did not think my problem was significant.

Mary C