Mastodon
08-09-2005, 11:51 PM
My grandma on my father's side has Alzheimer's and my grandpa on my mom's side, who recently died, had severe dementia. Are these disorders hereditry or is there something I can do to help prevent them from happening? It was a horrible and painful thing watching my grandpa deteorate, he was such a great man and then he deprecated to a mere child who couldn't even recognize his own wife of 60 yrs.
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Shmoo06
08-10-2005, 01:44 AM
When I did a reasearch paper on this topic, it told me that the only genetic type of Alzheimer's is early-onset. I'm not sure if that's 100% right or not, so you'll need to wait for someone with more knowledge than myself.
It is a horrible thing that any human shouldn't have to go through.
It is a horrible thing that any human shouldn't have to go through.
LuvMyLilDoggie
08-10-2005, 12:12 PM
My dad has it. My grandpa on my dad's side had it. My grandma on my mom's side had it. My mom's sister has it. Yes, in my opinion, it can be hereditary.
There is no cure for it yet. But they are getting closer to a cure every day. Hopefully, before I get to be the age they were when they got it, there will be a cure and I won't have to worry about my son having to make the choice of whether he'll care for me at home or put me in a nh. And his child won't have to make that decision for him.
From what I've read, there are some things you can do for yourself to help keep the disease at bay. Eat healthy, exercise and keep your mind busy. The more active the brain is, the better chance it has.
I so look forward to the day I get on the 'net and the news on my homepage says "Scientists Discover a Cure for Alzheimers."
Love, Barb
There is no cure for it yet. But they are getting closer to a cure every day. Hopefully, before I get to be the age they were when they got it, there will be a cure and I won't have to worry about my son having to make the choice of whether he'll care for me at home or put me in a nh. And his child won't have to make that decision for him.
From what I've read, there are some things you can do for yourself to help keep the disease at bay. Eat healthy, exercise and keep your mind busy. The more active the brain is, the better chance it has.
I so look forward to the day I get on the 'net and the news on my homepage says "Scientists Discover a Cure for Alzheimers."
Love, Barb
ToBeFreeToRoam
08-10-2005, 12:30 PM
Hi All,
All I can say is "Amen" (sorry if you are not religious) to what Barb said at the end of her post.
Yall take care. Wannabe
All I can say is "Amen" (sorry if you are not religious) to what Barb said at the end of her post.
Yall take care. Wannabe
Martha H
08-10-2005, 12:42 PM
Add my amen to that!
Shays mom
08-11-2005, 10:46 PM
My dad had alzheimer's as does his brother. Their father suffered some kind of dementia late in life. I don't think it is a strong probability that I'll have it but it is certainly something that I worry about. I think in a case like mine when the Alzheimer's comes on late in life the chances of me getting it are about 5% higher than families without Alzheimer's. The best thing to do is stay active, eat healthy, and enjoy life as long as you can. Long term care insurance is a good thing to have if you can afford it. It will take the burden off of your family if you do have Alzheimer's in your future. My dad ate a very well balance diet (he was diabetic so his diet was very controlle). He walked four miles a day and he stayed mentally active. Still Alzheimer's found him. ??????????
ToBeFreeToRoam
08-12-2005, 01:01 AM
Hi Shays Mom,
Just wanted to add on to what you said about Long Term Care Insurance. If anyone buys some, make sure that it covers alzheimers. A lot of the policies do not. I do not think my mom and dads does. My father has alzheimers. But it might help out my mom in her later years (if she does not die of uncontrolled diabetes!).
About the hereditary part, I do not know for sure, but think it is. Like you said maybe 5 -10% ? I just have my dad that I know of. I hear if you do crossword puzzles and read and use your mind a lot, that that helps to ward off the AD.
Take care yall. Wannabe
Just wanted to add on to what you said about Long Term Care Insurance. If anyone buys some, make sure that it covers alzheimers. A lot of the policies do not. I do not think my mom and dads does. My father has alzheimers. But it might help out my mom in her later years (if she does not die of uncontrolled diabetes!).
About the hereditary part, I do not know for sure, but think it is. Like you said maybe 5 -10% ? I just have my dad that I know of. I hear if you do crossword puzzles and read and use your mind a lot, that that helps to ward off the AD.
Take care yall. Wannabe
imwarbaby
08-12-2005, 02:21 AM
Look, I don't like to be pessimistic, or burst any bubbles, but........
I just have to wonder if doctors, pharmacalogical companies, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. want a cure to be found for ANYTHING...Please, think about it.....if cures were found, all of these would all but go broke. Sometimes, sadly enough, I feel it's all a racket, to keep the dough rolling. Does anyone else ever feel that way?
I just lost Daddy last Tuesday; he was diagnosed in February, with the fastest progression any of the medical staff dealing with him has ever seen...I've yet to receive the death certificate, but I am certain that renal failure might be a leading cause. You know, I agonized and researched every decision I made for him.....but in my moments of weakness, I second-guess myself. Did certain drugs that I allowed them to prescribe cause his renal failure? Should I have been more forceful with the doctors to find the right meds for him sooner? Should I have dragged him from doctor to doctor with the hope of finding SOMEONE-ANYONE who would really care to help him more? Did any of the decisions that I made cause the rapidity of his decline?
Sorry....I'm off subject, and I'm whining...two points against me.
A cure, who doesn't want a cure? But then, think of the people who would financially suffer if there was a cure! I hope I'm wrong and way off base on this.....
I love you guys, I love this board.....
imwarbaby
I just have to wonder if doctors, pharmacalogical companies, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. want a cure to be found for ANYTHING...Please, think about it.....if cures were found, all of these would all but go broke. Sometimes, sadly enough, I feel it's all a racket, to keep the dough rolling. Does anyone else ever feel that way?
I just lost Daddy last Tuesday; he was diagnosed in February, with the fastest progression any of the medical staff dealing with him has ever seen...I've yet to receive the death certificate, but I am certain that renal failure might be a leading cause. You know, I agonized and researched every decision I made for him.....but in my moments of weakness, I second-guess myself. Did certain drugs that I allowed them to prescribe cause his renal failure? Should I have been more forceful with the doctors to find the right meds for him sooner? Should I have dragged him from doctor to doctor with the hope of finding SOMEONE-ANYONE who would really care to help him more? Did any of the decisions that I made cause the rapidity of his decline?
Sorry....I'm off subject, and I'm whining...two points against me.
A cure, who doesn't want a cure? But then, think of the people who would financially suffer if there was a cure! I hope I'm wrong and way off base on this.....
I love you guys, I love this board.....
imwarbaby
ToBeFreeToRoam
08-12-2005, 02:56 AM
Hi Imwarbaby,
I think you may be on to something. It is like, they want AD patients to get somewhat better, so we will buy their pills. But, a cure, like you said would lower their $ coming in.
I know you are still reeling from you daddy dying. But, nothing you did or did not do could have caused him to die sooner. You did the best you could, with what you had. I sometime feel like I made the wrong decision on my dads (alzheimers - 78 yr.) urology procedure, cause so many things went wrong. But most all is well now. You do have to pee to live and no one wants to go around with a catheter the rest of their life. Especially if they are still walking.
So Imwarbaby, we do the best we can for our dads and that is all we can do.
Take care and feel better - I know it will take time. Wannabe
I think you may be on to something. It is like, they want AD patients to get somewhat better, so we will buy their pills. But, a cure, like you said would lower their $ coming in.
I know you are still reeling from you daddy dying. But, nothing you did or did not do could have caused him to die sooner. You did the best you could, with what you had. I sometime feel like I made the wrong decision on my dads (alzheimers - 78 yr.) urology procedure, cause so many things went wrong. But most all is well now. You do have to pee to live and no one wants to go around with a catheter the rest of their life. Especially if they are still walking.
So Imwarbaby, we do the best we can for our dads and that is all we can do.
Take care and feel better - I know it will take time. Wannabe
Martha H
08-12-2005, 09:08 AM
Dear Imwarbaby, I can feel your grief and rage. It is good to be angry; who knows, maybe something more could have been done. It is normal for you to feel this way.
I think there is a lot of research going on and anyone who comes up with a vaccination against dementia or a cure for it would roll in money forever - there is plenty of motivation to find the magic cure - they just haven't found it yet.
There are enough sick people out there to keep hospitals and doctors working forever. Most of them go into the profession as a way of helping humanity (even if they do sometimes get cynical later) .. I prefer to believe they are trying their best.
Soon you will remember more and more of the good and wonderful times you had with your Dad, and the horrors of his fast progession will fade. I pray this happens sooner rather than later.
love,
Martha
I think there is a lot of research going on and anyone who comes up with a vaccination against dementia or a cure for it would roll in money forever - there is plenty of motivation to find the magic cure - they just haven't found it yet.
There are enough sick people out there to keep hospitals and doctors working forever. Most of them go into the profession as a way of helping humanity (even if they do sometimes get cynical later) .. I prefer to believe they are trying their best.
Soon you will remember more and more of the good and wonderful times you had with your Dad, and the horrors of his fast progession will fade. I pray this happens sooner rather than later.
love,
Martha
Shays mom
08-12-2005, 09:43 AM
I have a dear friend who is an Alzheimer's researcher and I've never known anyone so driven to find a vaccine. He has spent his life, every single day searching. I know that the researchers want to find a cure. I believe that the Dr.'s do too. Can you imagine this world without Alzheimer's? Wouldn't it be wonderful if couples could grow old together without the black cloud of Alzheimer's hanging over their future? I felt angry when my dad died. It was just not fair. Do nursing homes want a cure for Alzheimer's to be found? Most nursing homes are 99% nurses, C.N.A.s, cooks, activity departments, etc. I would think that most of those people have also had love ones suffer from this cruel disease. I think they too hope for a cure. As far as those who own nursing homes? I wouldn't have a guess. :bouncing:
ToBeFreeToRoam
08-12-2005, 01:06 PM
Hi Everyone,
I am sorry if I said anything to berate the drs. and health professionals and nurses and such. Sometime you just blurt out stuff, when you are frustrated with everthing because your family member has alzheimers, and there is not a whole lot you can do - medically!
I know a lot of health professionals try and care. Take care. Wannabe
I am sorry if I said anything to berate the drs. and health professionals and nurses and such. Sometime you just blurt out stuff, when you are frustrated with everthing because your family member has alzheimers, and there is not a whole lot you can do - medically!
I know a lot of health professionals try and care. Take care. Wannabe
Martha H
08-12-2005, 01:37 PM
No apologies, no guilt! You can say what you want here and will never be criticized for it!
Love,
Martha
Love,
Martha
imwarbaby
08-12-2005, 05:22 PM
I too apologize for coming off a bit harsh. I know that there are many in the health business that genuinely care, especially those that are dilligently working to find cures. I just feel that a cure would mean too much money lost for too many individuals/facilities/companies, and I am sure there are SOME who want the money to keep rolling in forever. However, I'm not a bitter person, and I know that not everyone is like that.
God only knows we all hope there will soon be a cure found, and it is good to know that some have made that their life's priority, such as the researcher you know, Shay's mom...let him know that he has the support and cheers of everyone here!
love,
imwarbaby
God only knows we all hope there will soon be a cure found, and it is good to know that some have made that their life's priority, such as the researcher you know, Shay's mom...let him know that he has the support and cheers of everyone here!
love,
imwarbaby