Hi I am new to site & not exactly sure what to say.
My Mom is 70 years old & in the final stages, (if we really know what that is). She is still at home with my Dad & some additional caregivers. We are waiting to see if hospice will begin soon.
I am 38, taking care of my young family, helping with Mom & making sure my Dad is taking care of himself too.
Some days seem so overwhelming. Today was my youngest sons 3rd birthday & my Mom had know idea. It just breaks my heart.
If there are any words of wisdom out there they would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for listening. Lisa B.

Hi Lisa B,
Welcome! I'm sorry for what brings you here! You may want to post on the caregivers site as MANY people are going thru the same things! I'm a caregiver and a patient! I am lucky my Mom still recognizes all of us! Hospice is a wonderful organization that can help your ENTIRE family! Alzheimer's is a horrible disease the effects the whole family. Just remember, your Mom still loves you, your Dad, and her grandchildren! It is the disease that keeps her from remembering. Try to be patient and gentle and kind! She may still have some good days where she will remember some things! Please, take care of yourself!! It is NOT selfish to take care of yourself, it is necessary!!
Good luck!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Lisa

Lisa,
Thanks for your response. I did mean to go on The caregivers site but I hit the wrong button & realized what I had done.
Anyway I wish you well in your journey as well. We have fought this for a few years now but have not taken much time to help us the caregivers.
I know she still loves us you can see it sometimes when she sees her children & grandchildren.
Does anyone really know the final weeks, months ?
I will try the caregivers site next.
Thanks, Lisa

Hi I am new to this site.
My mother is 87 years old and in the severe stage of Alzheimer's....This has been overwhelming for me....I am the legal guardian for my mother, before that I was the only caregiver, medical proxy, you name it I was all of it....I quit my job to stay at home with both parents...my mother was diagnoised in the fall of 2004 and in May of 2005, my father passed and then family came out of the wood work. 55 Days later, 1 of my 3 siblings ( all girls) passed. Then The mess really got started, The children of the sister that passed, and the sister that never came around, critize everything....I had to go to court to get guardianship just to handle her business...I have never been so hurt, about people wondering what is being spent to take care of my mother home and personal needs, they are upset they might not get anything when she dies......I look at the life she and my father had and I feel she deserves to live in that same manner......she is at her home...and the one who never visit lives 45 miles away still never visits, the other sister has retired, moved 800 miles and now lives with our Mother along with a live in housekeeper/caregiver, I just turned 50 and these past few years have been stressful... Mom is getting to the point that the people she really knows is me and my two children.....I now live 218 miles away, I call home 5 to 6 times a day,and come home every other weekend, my health is alright but I am trying to work, handle all the bills at my mothers home and then taking care of all the legal matters ..... and we knew that she had federal BCBS and Medicare part B. I then had to Put in for part A, a few days ago, and It will cost over 400.00 a month.... and will not take effect until the new fiscal year begins..all of this is over whelming, but I am doing my best to keep it together.....and why do I do it all....because nobody else would..Does anyone have any suggestions ???????? The most important person throughout this is my Mother..I want the best for her..because It has to be frightening to not be able to remember.

hi lisa,
i am new here too.
my father was dx. this week.
he is beginning stages. i am glad to find this support online.

hi lulu,
i am 700 miles away from my father and family.
it is difficult to have this news and not be there for my mom and sister.

lulu & mkr
I have found some great info in the caregivers forum if you haven't checked it out you should.
Thanks for your responses it is nice to connect with others.
Lisa B.

hi, i am new to the website too. I lost my dad two months ago at the age of 73 years, i too have two children, a job, etc.. i can tell you that it is a journey like no other and it can be exhausting. BUT.. even though your dad may not know people's names anymore , he will always know who he loves. Please take comfort in that, and know that there will be moments of clarity. Keep in touch with him, laugh with him, but most important ,TRY to do something for yourself everyday. I know it is hard to explain to young kids, but let them know that they can still love grandpa and hug him etc.. he still needs that and so does your mom. I know this is a tough road, but it is also a time to show the love,strength and faith you didn't even know you had..
hope this helps.

Hi, also new here. Just put my Dad into an Assisted Living for moderate to severe stages. Emotional rollercoaster past 2 weeks! Mom's still at home (she's quite a few years younger than Dad and has been his primary caregiver), well and finally getting rest! Still have moments of guilt and worry. What a terrible disease! Breaks my heart!