One of my friends at the nursing home no longer knows her name, she asked me what it was today.

[texanwitch]

She didn always know who I was but now she doesn't know her own name.

She started to cry, all I could do is hug her.

I miss talking to her, she could always tell a good story.

No more, the lights are getting dim for her.

[Flaxbee]

1. That has to be so hard - for you and for her

My mom struggles with Alzheimer's, but it is early and pretty well managed with drugs. Before she was placed on meds that worked, though, it was horrible to see her struggling with basic memories.

:hug: texanwitch. You do good work.

[texanwitch]

2. Sorry about your Mom, glad the meds are working.

My friend didn't get a lot of help from the meds.

She will be moved to a Alzheimer's home soon, where she will be safe.

May the cure be find soon.

[Flaxbee]

4. That is the worst part - when the person knows they

are losing their memories, and can't stop it. It's awful.

My mom also has degenerative heart disease; she said she hopes she dies of heart failure before the AD really kicks in... :(

I hope your friend is safe, and still has some happiness in her life.

[texanwitch]

5. They will be moving her soon, for her protection.

This is a living death.

[Kali]

3. oh

so sad:( :cry:

[applegrove]

6. I remember visiting my grandfather when he had alzheimers. He was trying

to eat the pictures we showed him and staring at the grapes. My dad patted his hands the whole time. I cried and cried.

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. MiddleFingerMomMom had Alzheimer's and probably the WORST stage...

.
.
.
...for the person who has it is when they are quite aware that they are
losing their memory and their grasp on "the now".
.
.
.
They get frustrated and angry and, worst of all... frightened.
.
.
.
The best thing I found to do was let her know that I was there for her and
loved her no matter what.
.
.
.
Even when she withdrew entirely, I still had one-sided conversations with
and read to her -- as I felt she was STILL there deep in her mind.
.
.
.
Towards the end, she managed to come back and give me a very, very precious
gift. She had stopped talking at all for about a week and, knowing her to have
a STRONG sweet tooth... I opened her nightstand drawer and asked her if she
wanted a piece of chocolate candy.
.
She sighed... deeply... and shook her head.
.
I closed the drawer, thinking that she must be having a TERRIBLE day, indeed.
.
She waited a PERFECT comedic pause and then spoke for the very last time to
anyone.
.
.
.
.
"You BELIEVED me?
.
.
.
She had told me within the previous year that sometimes she would call me up
when she was depressed (without ever letting on that she was) because I would
always make her laugh.
.
.
.
The very last outwardly conscious thing she did... was to make me laugh.
.
.
.
.
.
I miss her very much... but she is, and always will be with me.
.
.
.

[Brickbat]

8. This is a beautiful story and I thank you for sharing it.

What a gift for you!

[Brigid]

10. That is a precious memory . . .

You will have forever. :hug:

[WinkyDink]

9. {{{MFM}}}

You always make me laugh here.