The link between Alzheimer’s and mad cow disease
April 16, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Could there be a link between Alzheimer’s disease and mad cow disease? Most likely, according to researchers at Yale University. And the link seems to be in the proteins called prions that are associated with mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE in medical speak) and its human equivalent Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. BSE is a neurodegenerative disease in cattle that has caused fatalities in Europe, especially in the UK. Furthermore, it is feared that those who consume the brain of the infected animals may also develop the disease in the form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid aggregrates or plaques that accumulate in the brain. These aggregates are formed by a misfolded protein β-amyloid (Aβ)
However, the mechanism with which Aβ triggers neuron damage and death in AD patients has always been a mystery.
According to Stephen Strittmatter, professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine and lead study researcher
The prion protein (PrP) is the protein that forms aggregates in mad cow disease and CJD. The Yale researchers have also identified it to be one of the main cellular receptors for Aβ. The study findings suggest that these two proteins PrP and Aβ activate a neurodegenerative disease signaling pathway that is common to both AD and CJD. The results have been published in the journal Nature. Many researchers in the field of neurodegenerative disorders are surprised by the findings because PrP has never been linked to memory function and dysfunction before.
The Yale researchers made their observations on the behavior of the said proteins in vitro, e.g. in cell cultures in the lab. The study has opened new avenues in AD research. The next step would be to check whether the Aβ-PrP link has any functional significance in vivo. It is expected that more studies will now focus on the exploring this protein connections in animal models.
In addition, the study findings also suggest the possibility of a new therapeutic angle for AD. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target PrP, for example, could potentially be useful in treating AD. PrP antibodies which have been developed by veterinary diagnostics companies for animal use may also be explored for potential therapeutic use in the treatment of AD.
Finding the Right Alzheimer’s Care Facility for Your Loved One
July 23, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
No one likes to think that they will put their loved one in a nursing home one day. Unfortunately, most Alzheimers patients eventually will need to be placed in an Alzheimers care facility. Because Alzheimer’s disease robs a person of his or her ability to handle everyday activities, often families will find they cannot care for their loved one at home. It is usually during the later stages of the disease when patients lose their ability to dress themselves, feed themselves and need help going to the bathroom that an Alzheimer’s care facility is considered by families.
Once your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you should begin considering your options for the future. Include long term care in your planning even if you don’t feel as if you want to go in that direction. It is better to have planned and not need than to need and not plan.
There are several things to know when looking at an Alzheimer’s care facility. You should know how they care for Alzheimers patients and how much experience they have had in dealing with patients suffering from the disease. Do they separate Alzheimer’s patients from the rest of the population? What safety measures are in place? Do they have a restraint policy? What is their end of life policy? Do they provide/encourage hospice care?
Some long term care facilities specialize in treating Alzheimer’s patients. What are the advantages of this type of Alzheimer’s care facility over a more traditional nursing home or assisted living facility?
You should anticipate how you will pay for the Alzheimer’s care facility. Some long-term insurance polices will cover a stay in an Alzheimer’s care facility. Some private insurance companies may cover this expense as well. Many people have set aside funds should they need long-term care and that money is available for the family‘s to pay for the Alzheimer‘s care facility.
There are several types of Alzheimer’s care facilities. You and your loved one’s physician can discuss which Alzheimer’s care facility will best suit the needs of your loved one.
Assisted living facilities provide housing, meals, health care and support for Alzheimer’s patients. This type of Alzheimer’s care facility is also called board and care, adult living and supported care. Many Alzheimer’s patients live in this type of Alzheimer’s care facility after moving out of their homes. This type of Alzheimer’s care facility is often a suitable alternative to a nursing home for Alzheimer’s patients who can still perform some day to day activities. An assisted living facility is not regulated by the federal government.
Some patients want an Alzheimer’s care facility that is targeted to their needs. An Alzheimer’s special care unit may be found in a nursing home or hospital setting where Alzheimer’s patients live within a unit. Treatment at these Alzheimer’s care facilities focuses on the needs of Alzheimer’s patients.
If you are unsure as to what kind of Alzheimer’s care facility your loved one needs, the Alzheimers Association has an online guide. CareFinder (www.alz.org) helps families chose the best Alzheimer’s care facility. CareFinder teaches families how to seek local support. It also guides families as to how to pay for the Alzheimer’s care facility
This article was adapted from an article at www.helpwithalzheimer’s.com.
Additional sources include: www.alz.org, and the article, Where Should Alzheimer’s Patients Live
Alzheimer’s Disease Information for Patients and Families
July 22, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
With millions of people around the world caught in its grasp, Alzheimers is a disease whose implications are still being felt. Sneaking in and slowing removing a person’s ability to recall, function and even remember their own family and friends, this condition is a nasty one that can impact not only the affected patients, but also everyone around them. With this in mind, it is very important for people faced with this condition to arm themselves with solid Alzheimers disease information.
Despite or in spite of its widespread reach, there are a lot of myths that surround Alzheimers. While having correct Alzheimers disease information won’t likely provide a family with the solace it might need following a diagnosis, it can help them better understand the condition and what to expect. Separating the fact from the fiction is very important for those who need to make decisions about future care and potential treatments.
Let’s look at some of the myths that sometimes prevent the real Alzheimers disease information from getting out:
* Memory loss is normal. While it might be normal to become a little forgetful as we age, serious memory loss is not normal. Any severe loss of memory, such as that associated with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia, is not normal under any circumstance.
* Aluminum causes Alzheimers. The real Alzheimers disease information to be had out of this one is that there is no known cause for this condition. There are some potential links, but confirmation has not been made. In regard to aluminum specifically, studies have not been able to determine a real link between drinking out of cans and contracting Alzheimers. The flu shot rumor also doesn’t seem to be true.
* The condition is not fatal. This is a false piece of Alzheimers disease information. While it is more likely that other conditions will arise that can be fatal before the deterioration progresses to the parts of the brain that control major bodily functions, the disease is considered fatal in and of itself by many experts.
* Diet sodas cause Alzheimers. This is another fallacy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been studying this claim since some scientists raises concerns about Nutrasweet and Equal, but no connection has been found as of yet.
* Alzheimers can be stopped in its progression. Sadly, this is not true. While there are some treatments that might slow the steady pace of progression, stopping it is not possible at this time. It might even be possible to stabilize a patient for a while, but no treatments have proven effective over the long haul.
Alzheimers disease information available to date doesn’t provide a lot of answers for patients and their families that might be struggling to come to grips with a diagnosis. The reality is there is still much to learn about this condition and with how little is actually known, many myths seem to thrive.
Patients and families with questions and concerns should seek medical advice. There are even some very good support groups for those impacted by this mysterious and devastating condition.
For more information on Alzheimers, try visiting http://www.helpwithalzheimers.com - a website that specializes in providing Alzheimers related tips, advice and resources to include information on Alzheimers disease information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Kay
Alzheimer’s Mirrors and Anxiety
July 21, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
A disturbing phenomenon sometimes occurs in a person in mid-stage Alzheimer’s. It is totally frustrating to the caregiver who doesn’t understand what’s happening, and it is terrifying to the person with Alzheimer’s. Often, the patient or loved one will seem to get upset or even hysterical for no reason at all, but there is always a reason, and in many cases, the culprit is the mirror. Yes, the mirror.
To fully explain how a mirror can alarm your loved one, let’s go back to the basics. By now, you already know that Alzheimer’s disease attacks the short-term memory and gradually erodes every memory, one memory at a time. So what happens when an 85 year old woman (who doesn’t remember ever being 85) looks into the mirror and sees an image of a woman who is not the 25 year old she thinks she is? She is virtually looking at a stranger, and she is terrified. She may even think there is a stranger in the house. Could this be happening in your house?
Observe where your loved one is when the behavior begins. Is there a mirror nearby? There are so many situations over which you, the caregiver, have no control. However, you can control how many mirrors are available in the house. Just imagine how you would feel if you looked into the mirror and discovered that you had aged 60 years overnight. This could be happening to your loved one every day.
Sometimes, your loved one may make friends with the person in the mirror. This is not as disturbing; however, you might discover missing food in the most unusual places because they are saving food for their friend in the mirror.
As a side note, the mirror could play a major role in a loved one’s refusal to shower. After all, who wants to undress in front of a stranger?
If you find that the mirror is, indeed, causing the behavior, then limit, or better yet, eliminate access to mirrors. Alzheimer’s disease is a cruel, insidious disease that can make life unbearable for both the one who has it, and for the caregiver. Remember, for every behavior, there is a trigger. If the mirror is the trigger, and you remove the mirror, then you’ve not only eliminated the behavior, you have done a great service for your loved one.
More information about [www.alzheimersfamilyhelp.com/articles.html]Alzheimer’s Caregiver Help can be found at [www.alzheimersfamilyhelp.com/]www.AlzheimersFamilyHelp.com
Brenda Dapkus Co Owner of Alzheimer’s Family Help. We provide caregivers with tips and solutions to behaviors common to Alzheimer’s.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Dapkus EzineArticles.com/?Alzheimers,-Mirrors-and-Anxiety&id=1219871
Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Sex (part 2)
June 30, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Okay, so let’s finish this conversation.
Like I said the other day, if you want to see anyone on the caregiving spectrum from a teenager to an adult child blush-talk about their loved one’s sex life.
I mean, I am grown, have children of my own and have literally written the book on teen sexuality (Straight Talk, How Teens Make Wise decisions About Love and Sex, Review and Herald, 2000). Yet, I just can’t imagine my mom and dad uh…..er…..um….. well, you know…having (whisper) sex. And furthermore, I really wouldn’t want to have to make decisions about their sex lives, especially when they were in their golden years and one of them had already died - because that would mean that one of my parents was having sex with someone other than my other parent.
However, putting your head in the sand, and ignoring the issue isn’t going to make it go away. I’ll never have to consider such things, as both of my parents are now deceased. But YOU may and again, like other care concerns, it’s better to give the issue consideration now, before it becomes a major problem.
Honestly, when I first read the story of Dorothy and Bob in Slate, I was amused. However, as I read and considered the depth of Dorothy and Bob’s relationship and the obvious furor of Bob’s son, I realized that this is no laughing matter. Most importantly, when I read of Dorothy’s depression and despondency after the relationship was abruptly forced to an end by Bob’s son, It made me realize that this issue of seniors, dementia and sexuality is an area that must be given serious consideration.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Can someone with dementia give consent?
- What if the current behavior violates grandma’s long standing moral principles?
- What if the relationship violates the primary caregiver’s morals or principals?
- Do facility employees have a right to get involved?
In this situation, there may be more questions than answers. Personally, I’d want my family to make decisions for me based upon my life’s principles, morals and values up to that point. The problem is that if I had dementia, I wouldn’t be logical enough to understand my family’s possible “restrictions” on my desires.
It’s something to think about and seriously consider. My advice. Think about it now. Consider it before it becomes an emergency. Talk about it with potential long term care providers and be prepared. As baby boomers age and the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia increases as well. This won’t be interesting or amusing. It will just be another issue that caregivers consider as they battle, the monster, Alzheimer’s disease.
What do you think? Have you been forced to think about and consider your loved one’s sex life?
Why Get Organized?
June 2, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Have you ever wanted everything around you to stop for a period of time, say a day, week month or longer, just so that you could get a handle on all that you have to do?
Wouldn’t that be the best thing? I mean, we could catch up on everything from giving some attention to the junk drawer to the weighter matters like making that eye doctor’s appointment, calling the adult day care center to see if it’s a fit for your loved one or rallying some family and friends to give you some much needed help. Maybe we could take the time to consider the future beyond dinner tonight and tomorrow’s doctor’s appointment.
Unfortunately, time keeps going and we seem to get further and further behind. AND new things keep coming up. So, what’s an already stretched to the hilt caregiver to do?
Get organized. The very thought of it gives me a headache. Yet, I know that it is very important. Being organized would help as you battle Alzheimer’s disease. Check out the following stats from McMillan and Company Professional Organizers and the National Association of Professional Organizers:
The average American spends one year of his life looking for lost or misplaced items at home and in the office. US News and World Report
According to the American Demographic Society, Americans waste more than 9 million hours each day looking for lost and misplaced articles.
For every hour of planning, 3-4 hours are saved from redundancy, waiting for information, not being prepared and poorly managed tasks.
About 80% of the clutter in your home or office is a result of disorganization, not lack of space.
Cleaning professionals say that getting rid of excess clutter would eliminate 40% of the housework in an average home.
Given the above stats, we have good reason to get organized. We’d have less housework (my personal favorite) and more time because we wouldn’t lose precious time looking for things.
Now, as caregivers, the issue sometimes causes us to see double. I remember when my mom was caring for her aunt who eventually moved in with us. Auntie got rid of her furniture, but the rest of the “stuff” found its way to our home, which, by the way, already had plenty of “stuff.” There is also the issue of helping someone who may be moving into your home or into a care facility to de-clutter and pare down.
Tomorrow, I’ll talk about specific ways to get organized. Yes, it takes some time, but in the end it SAVES time and frustration. In the meantime, share your tips. Are you organized? What are your space and time saving ideas?
Share your photos! I’m looking for pictures of caregivers and/or your loved ones. Send the photo and a short (1-3 line bio about the people in the photo).
See you tomorrow with some time and space saving tips!
Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Partners in Crime
May 27, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, DIABETES
Initially, it was chalked up to age. It was almost expected that a person with Alzheimer’s disease also suffered from diabetes or some other illness. The thought was that the person was aging and the other disorders were a function of an aging body and not necessarily related per se to Alzheimer’s disease.
Then the researchers started to consider the fact that people with Alzheimer’s disease were often battling other health issues such as: heart disease, stroke and especially diabetes.
Have you ever noticed that “a diet low in fat, and high in fiber, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables” is good for just about every sickness?
The point here is that good nutrition is good for the body AND the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes not detected until the person is in the third or fourth stage of the disease. By that time some damage has been done and changes have started to take place. Also, by that time other diseases have already manifested. Specifically, diabetes.
Research has shown that there is a connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. So, as you shield yourself against diabetes by eating a high fiber, low fat diet rich in complex carbs and whole grains you are doing “double duty” moreover, protecting yourself against Alzheimer’s disease and vice versa.
In some cases, Alzheimer’s is even being called type 3 diabetes.
You can get detailed information about the types of diabetes from Battling Diabetes. Click the links for information regarding type 1 diabetes, often diagnosed in children, teens and young adults, where the body ceases insulin production, and type 2 diabetes, where the body produces insulin, but not an adequate supply. In 2007, Time and USA Today ran stories about the link between Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Health.Dailynews.com even characterized Alzheimer’s disease as a form of diabetes. Suggesting that,
“Insulin disappears early and dramatically in Alzheimer’s disease,” In addition, “Many of the unexplained features of Alzheimer’s, such as cell death and tangles in the brain, appear to be linked to abnormalities in insulin signaling. This demonstrates that the disease is most likely a neuroendocrine disorder, or another type of diabetes,” said senior researcher Suzanne M. de la Monte, a neuropathologist at Rhode Island Hospital and a professor of pathology at Brown University Medical School.
In the end, it is more important to eat a balanced, nutritious diet that is low in fat and cholesterol; get plenty of exercise and address total health needs than to get all stressed about potentially getting Alzheimer’s disease. The research seems to suggest that a healthy body leads to a healthy brain.
What’s your experience? Are you providing care for someone who has Alzheimer’s AND another illness?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hospice Care
May 14, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
This week, I am discussing hospice care. I’ve talked about what it is and isn’t and what it does and does not do. In addition, yesterday, I discussed some of the myths and misconceptions of hospice care. Today, I’ll discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing hospice care.
First the advantages:
Advantage One
I think one of the biggest advantages of utilizing hospice is that it means that the patient and family are coming to grips with the reality that they are dealing with a “terminal illness.” As stated in another post, it doesn’t mean that life will end tomorrow or the next day, but choosing to enter hospice means that there is a realization that you are no longer actively attempting to cure the disease. Instead you are attempting to provide quality unconditional comfort and support to the patient and his or her family. Which leads me to the second advantage.
Advantage Two
Hospice is one of the only insurance benefits that specifically addresses the needs of the patient AND the patient’s family.
Advantage Three
Hospice care addresses the needs of the whole person. It responds to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual. Hospice personnel have been known to help mend broken relationships and listen to a myriad of secrets and “confessions.”
Advantage Four
Hospice utilizes the team approach to care. Every hospice patient and family has a doctor, nurse, social worker, chaplain and possibly a volunteer as well. So, there is a constant evaluation of the patient and his or her needs at any given time.
Advantage Five
Hospice employees and volunteers are specialists. They understand the issues related to providing the best quality of life possible. They may understand various stages such as refusing food, withdrawing, etc. a little more than other medical professionals.
Advantage six
In many cases, the patient can remain at home surrounded by family and friends.
Advantage Seven
Hospice is a much less alternative to staying in a hospital or long term care facility.
And now for the disadvantages:
Disadvantage One
The first disadvantage goes along with the first advantage. The realization of the inevitable. Sometimes patients are just not ready to accept the fact that they are “eligible” for hospice care. In some cases, admittance into hospice prior to the patient being “ready” may lead to down spirits, depression and a defeated attitude.
Disadvantage Two
Because of the complete nature of hospice care, the home is “invaded” as it were by caring specialists. If a patient or a family is extremely private, it can take some getting used to to have consistent visits from the hospice team.
Disadvantage Three
“Outsiders” who are not educated regarding hospice may believe that the end is closer than it really is because of the myths and misconceptions surrounding hospice.
Disadvantage Four
Depending on the configuration of your home, it may be difficult/cumbersome to have a set up that is comfortable. So, you’ll have to consider if you have space (if needed) for a hospital bed and other equipment.
In my humble opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. More than anything, it’s a mindset. Again, it is a personal decision and one that will have impact long after your loved one is gone. I chose hospice for my mom. However, because I had not PLANNED or thought about it in advance, it was very difficult because I was not informed and I was afraid of the myths and misconceptions. I even had well-meaning medical personnel attempting to provide “comfort” that, as we discussed yesterday could have actually made my mother more uncomfortable.
That’s why, it is so important to read, research and even talk with patients who are utilizing hospice care and their families prior to making a decision. Maybe, the question isn’t whether or not you go with hospice (although, I think its a good choice), but whether or not you have carefully considered it as an option.
So, friend, as you battle Alzheimer’s disease, consider an option that will provide support and comfort for yourself and your loved one.
(Thanks again to the crew at Trinity Hospice - Pittsburgh. Not only did they provide awesome care for my mom, they continue to support me!)
Tomorrow - A Recipe For Life!
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To Tell or Not to Tell
May 8, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
This post discusses the merits of telling (or not telling) the affected person that he or she has Alzheimer’s disease.
Once Alzheimer’s disease is officially diagnosed, the primary caregiver and close family members have a decision to make.
Do you tell the affected person or not? There are valid arguments on both sides. Let’s explore some of them.
Yes, tell the affected person what the diagnosis is and what it means.
Advantages of sharing the diagnosis
Knowing sometimes brings relief. Although the person may not be able to articulate all that is going on, they know that something is awry.
Knowing takes away all need to lie and hide. Often people in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease make up excuses for their behavior and attempt to cover up mistakes.
Knowing may encourage the affected person to plan for the future. Unfortunately, the prognosis for Alzheimer’s disease is quite certain. The patient will know what is coming down the pike and can participate in long-term planning.
Knowing provides opportunity for cooperation on the affected person’s part–Eating a balanced diet, taking medications (which we’ll talk about in detail in an upcoming post), exercising the body and brain can possibly retard the progression of the disease.
Advantages of not sharing the diagnosis
Not knowing allows a sense of “normalcy.” Denial is a coping mechanism that helps some people to make it through difficult times.
Not knowing may avoid some of the grief associated with reality of facing a terminal illness.
Not knowing may keep anxiety levels low. For years, even doctors have advocated not causing further stress on already stressed individuals by not disclosing the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Not knowing may enable the affected person to keep fighting instead of giving up. Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease. Sometimes knowing the future is just too much information for some individuals to handle.
What do the experts say?
According to an article in the March 2008 edition of the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, there may actually be many benefits to telling patients that they have Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the study indicates, that at least in the short run, knowing brings a level of relief.
“Overall, patients told of their diagnosis did not experience an uncontrollable surge in depression or anxiety. Rather, most were relieved to have an explanation for their symptoms. They were also glad to have the opportunity to participate in planning for their futures, and relieved that help was at hand.”
“One reason an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be comforting to both family members and patients, Dr. Carpenter suggests, is that it provides an explanation for what’s been going on with the patient. Caregivers, he notes, are often quick to attribute symptoms of dementia to the person, rather than the disease, and patients wonder if they are going “crazy.” This study confirms that most patients, regardless of their degree of impairment, tend to experience a sense of relief after getting their diagnosis.” (see below)
In the end, to tell or not to tell is a very personal decision. I did tell my mom she had Alzheimer’s disease, but it was long after we received the diagnosis. I doubt that she understood. She just looked at me with a blank stare. I do wish that I had told her earlier, like when I packed up her belongings and moved her 500 miles. Maybe, it would have made the transition a little easier, but hindsight is always 20/20.
What’s do you think? Did you tell? Would you make the same decision again?
Note: Kudos to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation and their great site, Alzinfo.org for access to this research. Click here to read more of the article.
Source: Brian D. Carpenter, PhD, Chengjie Xiong, PhD, Emily K. Porensky, MA, et al: “Reaction to a Dementia Diagnosis in Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment,” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, March 2008, pages 405–412.
Caregivers Corner - An Open Letter to Caregivers
April 18, 2008 by Loretta Parker Spivey
Filed under ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Dear Caregiver,
Thank you for the sacrifice that you make to care of me. Thank you for preparing my meals, driving me to doctor’s appointments and keeping me safe. Thank you for keeping me clean and for handling my financial affairs. Thank you for trying to make me a part of family activities and thank you for the gifts you give me, even though you are not sure that I know it’s a special day.
This disease has taken much from me. So, I can’t explain things like I used to. But just because I can’t talk doesn’t mean I am not grateful. Often when you look at me there is a distant look in my eyes. It’s those time that I am most afraid. I fear that caring for me will wear you out. I fear that I am a burden to you. I fear you’ll throw up your hands and give up. I fear this prison in which I am trapped. And yes, I fear death.
No one has talked to me about what is wrong with me, but I see the looks and hear the whispers. I know it’s the “A” word. Alzheimer’s. I don’t know a lot about it, but I’ve never heard about remission or anyone being cured of it. So, I know that these prison walls will just get more and more confining. Maybe I’ll get to the point that I dont even recognize that I am in prison, but for now, I know and it’s hard. It’s really hard. I used to be the one giving the orders, running things and being in charge. Now, I am here. Sitting. I am here. Wandering. I am here. Wondering. I am just here.
To you, my special caregiver. Thanks so much for your care. I know it’s not easy. Sometimes I get angry and I lash out at you because you are closest to me. I want you to make it all better, but I know you can’t. I don’t mean to hurt you.
And if it happens like I’ve heard, there may come a day that it I don’t remember you. I may not know you at a given moment, but I will always love and appreciate you. Hold on to that. This disease may take my memory, but it won’t take my heart.
I love you more now than before my illness.
You are all I have.
With Love, The (grateful) Alzheimer’s patient


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