Hi,

I'm trying to connect with other young children coping with a loved one diagnosed with EOAD. Is anyone willing to connect to share their story?

My partner's dad was diagnosed at 56 and is now in a home. We've come across more and more young adult children who take on the role of caregiver, and want to network with others.

Thank you.

Dear Em: Welcome to the Online Community, I'm glad you have found us. I am sorry to hear of your partner's father developing EOAD.

This forum is to address information for EOAD patients and also families do come here. You will get some responses here; but I also want to invite you to also go to our, "Caregivers Forum." This is where the vast majorioty of caregivers and families communicate. You will find all age brackets contributing to the discussions and support. Because of the volume of people on the Caregivers Forum, you will get MANY responses there.

Let us know at what level of function your partner's dad is at, what the challenges and concerns are, and it will open up the communication lines more broadly as well as specifically.

You are a kind and loving advocate in seeking communication; this is a very long journey and having others to talk to even electronically, is a definite blessing as time moves forward.

Some folks even begin a specific support group in their communities. Churches and other organizations often donate the room for meetings without fee.

Glad to have you amongst us, looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Johanna C.
Peer Volunteer

Hi Johanna,

thank you for this information! I will move to the caregivers forum.

Max's father is living in a home, and is probably past stage 8 by now. He requires round the clock care.

Thank you again. I'd love to hear your story too.

Best,
Emily

Hello! I am also dealing with a parent with early onset, my Mom was diagnosed at 55. She is in the last stages and also in a nursing home, she is currently 61. I am 36 years old and haven't find anyone in the same situation yet. But I know there are people out there.Hopefully we both can find a network to connect too.

Vonmott, I truely feel your pain. My mom just died from lung cancer which put my dad fully into stage 5. My mom and dad were very active and it seems like life has just stopped. I'm still new at this having been mom's caregiver for 2 months and now dad's. I still am employed and have the help from other family but that doesn't make the situation easy. I came here not long ago looking for help. Working in the medial field in no way prepared me for this.

Hi Em -
I am kind of in a similar boat - I have a nearly 1 yo daughter (the joy of my life!!) and I am helping care for my parents. My sister and I have our hands full b/c my mom has a brain condition that results in emotional problems and short term memory loss and my dad has Ad and they are 62 and 65 respectively. It is crazy hectic trying to keep up w/ dr appts, bill-paying and their everyday "crises"They moved into a senior community in January so we didn't have to worry about them burning down the house or something, but it is very expensive. My sister and i share the load but she has three young kids so it is hard for both of us.
So feel free to explain your story - i am new to this forum and wouldn't mind hearing it

Dear Amanda: Welcome to this terrific Online Community. We are so very glad you found us.

You are certainly facing some challenges, but have managed to rise to the occasion. Your parents are very fortunate to have you in their lives.

I would like to extend an invitation to you to go back to the grid where you came into this site and click on, "Caregiver's Forum." This is the forum where the vast majority of caregiver's and families communicate. By doing this, you will not get "lost in the crowd" and you will also get many more responses to your writing.

We are glad to have you here and look forward to "talking" with you again soon.

Johanna C.
Peer Volunteer

Well I understand what you are going through, I am 33 years old and my mother, who is 57, was diagnosed about 5 1/2 years ago. She declined very rapidly last year when she became part of a new medication trial and was taken off all her meds. She is pretty much like a toddler now, and I guess I am glad I finally logged in here last week. To find out that there are so many people out there dealing with the same stuff I am...trying the best I can with all that goes along with AD and unsupportive family members. Guess I was not alone afterall.

Shelly, you are not alone. I am finding that out more and more. And I also understand unsupportive family, my sister and brothers are very uninvolved. My sister was for awhile but then as Mom declined she could no longer handle it. I have lots of anger and disguist against my sister and I hope it will subside or go away. Thank Goodness for my husband and close friends who still give me a shouder to cry on even after all these years.I thought I cried myself out after her diagnoses but now that she has declined to a helpless little child I cry even more now. If my Mom could see herself she would be completely heartbroken to say the least. Sometimes I wonder how people go through this and stay sane but if others can do so can I. Have to be strong for my Mom becuase she deserves nothing less.

vonmott@aol.com