I had the pleasure and pain of taking care of my mom and my mother in law with Alzheimer’s disease for over 16 years in my home. My humor got me in a lot trouble in my younger years but served me well as I took on this challenge. If I can survive, and some days, that was the best I could do. Then you, too can make it through this dreaded disease. It is called the longest day for a reason. First, you have to learn to parent your parents. It is difficult. They lose their short term memory first and then go on to slowly erase their lives. Sun downing was the most difficult because those hours got closer in the day as their disease progressed. The most valuable thing that I can tell is not to make anything a battle. Let them fuss. Just listen. They cannot remember things correctly. They will try, but they just cannot do that. It is not in their capability to do that. The hardest part is watching them slowly even forget who you are, and that will happen for sure. Just hang onto your memories of how they were and you will survive. I wish all of you the best as you battle this disease. You are not alone. There are support groups out there. Find them. Find people who understand what you are going through. Support is one of the greatest gifts you will get with this disease. You may email me at pambpayton@bellsouth.net, if I can assist you as you battle this disease.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton