SENIOR SAVVY: No pattern to progression of Alzheimer's disease

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

Daily News Tribune

By Linda Sullivan and Debbie Gitner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: My mother has Alzheimer's disease. Over the past few years the disease has progressed, but in the last three months I have seen a decline in my mother's ability to dress herself, care for herself and even feed herself. I find that my mother needs reminders to eat. She also has incontinence. Can Alzheimer's disease progress that rapidly?

A: Yes it can. Alzheimer's disease can progress rapidly or progress slowly. There is no pattern to the way the disease progresses. It is unpredictable. Alzheimer's disease affects the way someone is able to care for themselves and make decisions about themselves. As the disease progresses, changes occur such as what you are seeing; incontinence, more help with dressing and grooming, plus an increase in memory loss. The middle stage of Alzheimer's disease can affect a person's ability to walk, and cause them to repeat the same stories or ask the same questions, talk but not always make sense, fidget with things, argue about tasks like taking a shower or changing, and sometimes leave the house to look for their house. Some people have mood changes and become argumentative. They may bite or hit and push away caregivers or family. Other behaviors include thinking items are being stolen. They have poor decision-making skills and little safety awareness. It is also possible that now that your mother needs more care, you are seeing the changes that have been coming on slowly.

Q: My father has Parkinson's disease. It is becoming more difficult for him to care for himself, yet he is trying to stay as independent as possible. What should I be doing for him?

A: Parkinson's affects........read the answer and more No pattern to progression of Alzheimer's disease