Early Onset Alzheimer's

[Angela77]

My 58 year old mother was just diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease.  Can anyone give me some advice as to any resources in my area?  I have found a support group for her so far.   We both live in Montgomery County, PA, I live near the border of Bucks and Montgomery counties.

[margypops]

I personally dont know the area , it may be good to google it and put in your area...How is she taking it, you know there is more good news as they are testing differant meds now I heard of one called one 'Rember' I am keeping my eye on ,for a family member, you can google that for an update it is in the 2nd year of trials, and sounds very hopeful.Good luck

[SeeksSupport]

Dear Angela,
I just recently joined and posted here too. I am not new to this because my Mom was about the same age as your Mom when she got the diagnosis. They were not super clear they said it could be Alzheimers, dementia, Memory loss from Atrophy to her brain from many TIA's( mini strokes)  They could not say how fast it will progress, if and when it will progress.
Our mother went on Aricept 10mg and has been on that dose for 9 -10 years not exactly sure. She had done rather w ell on that dose.
2 and half years ago she had a bad UTI and we were not sure if along w//that another TIA she went to a home with Physical therapy. She was unable to jump thru the hoops that Medicare insisted she jump thru in the time frame they say. We were upset and wanted to pay for more PT on our own to help her. The MD sat us down and told us that we were being cruel and that he truly felt she had Vascular Dementia. That it can go very slowly and then all of a sudden progress quickly. That while a year ago she rallied rather quickly and did great w/ PT this time she was in  much worse shape!
  All of these conditions are all so very close to the same thing as "Alzheimers"  They cannot really know if OUR MOM'S have Alzheimers till after they are passed and can dissect the brains. So for now it's  a matter of finding medications. Activities to help her keep what she has now working. (doing  crosswords, reading, other things to keep her brain active)
We had alot harder time because Our Mom had to go home and be bed ridden. We were told she would not be able to get out again. We have a lift at home.
If you can get your Mom out to keep her active I am, sure that is helpful!
I didn't ever get a support group. You are smart. I felt Our Mom's progressed usually very slow so I didn't go talk to anyone. I sort of figured anything they would tell me at that point would just scare me and make me worry and for how long?
Now I am, at the stage I need support. I believe this is what is considered end stages.
Basically Angela I wanted to let you know it can be a very slow process. You may have many good years left. I would get her on some medication though. I believe it helps.
Hope this was of some help.

[margypops]

I liked reading the above post by SeeksSupport it showed a caring and patient and respectful, attitude towards her mom it is lovely to read ,so many other folks feel irritable and uncaring it is sad to read  the impatience almost verging on nastiness they feel for elderly relatives. it is great the idea  of doing things with your Mom , reading and crosswords, how lonely it must be other wise especially when they have everything taken from, them ,good luck

[SeeksSupport]

Thatnks it was nice to hear that someone thinks I am, on the right path. I try to offer support when I can or share my experience IF IT HELPS.
This is a rough road we are on.  Lots of bumps and curves.  
Positive thinking is what is going to be on my agenda from now on.

[margypops]

You are right positive thinking is always the way, I would have gone down many times,if I hadnt started to think positively every day, I made myself turn away from the negative thougfhts if I stared to obsess,I got into a habit of switching them off it took a while and doesnt always work but most times it does, and its one heck of a lot better than the med way the Docs want to go. ..