Mom became combative tonight.

Damn.  I heard that this happens.  I was told about it and read about it, but I just didn't see it happening with my mom.  She has been so loving and sweet and easy, but tonight she had a combative interaction with the Aide and my father when they were getting her ready for bed.  She was yelling and having a bit of a tantrum.  Very unlike her.  We'll see how things are tomorrow.
Sense of humor?

Brainstorming Happy!

According to some facts that I learned at the dinner with Dr. Jones the other evening, 90% of elderly patients with Alzheimers started off having moderate to severe depression.  In otherwords, before there was an Alzheimers diagnosis, there were symptoms, if not a full clinical diagnosis of Depression. I think this is a significant finding, and the first that I heard of it.  I feel my mother had depression for several years, but it was never diagnosed until a few years ago.   It is commonly known that Vitamin D (Sun) is necessary for health and well-being, particularly for mood.  But now they have found a strong link to brain health.  Most doctors, both in mainstream and alternative medicine are recommending Vitamin D be taken every day, year around.  I'm on the bandwagon and taking it religiously, and I'm not even religious! 
I'm sure most people would agree that it's not really shocking to see a connection between depression and alzheimers, but I bet it will make people take "being happy" a little more seriously.  And, instead of waiting until some day....next week .......next year....., more people will seize the moment, and be grateful for each and every day and not waste time on "someday", and be happy NOW.   It gives a whole new meaning to "don't worry, be happy!"   So if you don't like that job, that wife, that extra weight, or the town your living in,  either learn to love and accept things the way they are, or save your brain and make the change.   Creating a life you Love will certainly improve the quality of your life,  and it could increase the amount of years you will know you have a life you Love.  Take out that old photo album.  You might just discover that you've actually been living a fabulous life, but that you just forgot!
Oh, did I mention the importance of having a sense of humor when dealing with Alzheimer's patients?  Mandatory on this journey especially.   Though I highly recommend taking it with you on any journey.  That with the daily dose of Vitamin D and creating a life you love, we just might make it to the end with our memories, personalities, and a few good friends!  What else can you ask for?  Chocolate, wine and potato chips.  Happiness!!!

As if life wasn't confusing enough as multidimensional beings....

Now we may start forgetting who who we are all together. According to statistics, 50% of baby boomers will have Alzheimer's related dementia by the time they're 80. At the moment, no one seems to know what causes this debilitating disease, but there is talk of a cure down the road. At a dinner meeting last night at The Greens, an assisted living facility where my 85 year old parents live, I had the privilege of participating in dialogue with a top dementia doctor, Dr. jones, from Yale. I say privilege because Dr. jones is to date the most approachable doctor I have met. Dr. jones, myself, my father, and about ten other people whose loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease sat and shared stories, ask questions, and felt heard and hopeful that things are being done to not only understand this horrible disease, but to prevent it and eventually cure it! Hence my inspiration to start this blog and not only share my experiences, thoughts, and feelings, but to have others share as well.
So please feel free to tell your stories, ask questions, vent and connect with a community of people affected by Multi Dementia. I'll share a little later why I use this term. As Humor is appreciated!