My mom just had back surgery and she is in a rehab hospital in Florida. She has alzheimer and is on Aricept. She lives alone. I live in another state and it seems that while in rehab her alzheimers is progressing - she knows everyone but seems foggy at times. I'm not sure what to do or my next step. She is being released on April 10th.

Dear Deirdre,
Hello and Welcome to the AD message Boards. I'm sorry to hear about your Mom but I am very glad you've found us.
Alzheimer's and surgery don't mix well. Or should I say anesthesia, pain meds, and Alzheimer's don't mix well.
May I suggest you post this message on the "Caregiver's Site." That site gets a lot interest. There are lots of people who have been in your situation that can help you.

You are going to have to go see your Mom and see what's going on. Please, speak with her doctor yourself. Don't rely on information from you Mom.

Good Luck.

Please, go to the caregiver's site and post! If your concern's are immediate, please call the AD helpline @ 800-272-3900. Or post on the Care Consultant's site.

Please, keep us posted.

the doctor told me today i am in someting called stage 4 alzheimer's. I dont understand. I have know for a long time that something was wrong but just thought i was dumb. I dont know what to do. Im confused mad sad upset and so much more. Im only 47 how can this be. is there hope, is there a future. is there any reason to even try? I dont even know what to ask or who to ask. i guess its the fear of the unknown. Where do i go from here? i need to talk to some one who knows and understand all this mess. i hope someone can help me help myself. Thank you.

DJ, I'm so glad you came here. There are many people here who have been through the same experience of getting a scary diagnosis at a much younger age than they would have ever expected. i know you will find much support here.

The message board is divided into areas of discussion. You have posted this in an area that doesn't get many visitors -- no problem, people do it all the time, but I want you to get some responses quickly to help you through this dismaying time. I hope you don't mind, I am going to copy your message and post it in a special area for people who have received an Alzheimer's diagnosis at an early age, like you.

When you go to the list of discussion areas (also called forums), go to the third one down. It is called Alzheimer's under 65. I will have already posted your message there for you and you will see the replies from this wonderfully supportive community.

I am 48 yrs old and my husband of only 4 yrs is 61 yrs old. We have noticed alot of problems in the last yr and a half, ex.: leaving the bank card in the atm machine, giving the clerk a 20.00 instead of a 10 or 5, forgetting where to turn into work etc..... he was finally with all of our admittance diagnosed aon 5-1 of this year with not mild but moderate AD. It is very scary to me, and his daughter who is only 7.5 yrs my jr. but very close to her dad. Sometimes I feel like this isn't fair, we both have gone through bad marriages and have only had 5 yrs alone to have this happen. I love my husband w/all my heart and soul, but must admit I am not a good one for patience. He has done alot of things wrong. I am so happy I found this site and find that I am not feeling all that different from other caretakers. My husband has almost all of his mind MOST of the time.......He tells me to put him in a nursing home when the time comes........I will never be able to do that. He is my life and this is about killing me, it is not about me, but his daughter's thoughts (whom I am very close to) ande most of all HIS thoughts, he is only 61 and his mom was way younger when diagnosed. Not sure how to go about things but VERY happy I found this site!!!!

Dear ktp,
Hello and Welcome to the AD Message Boards. I'm sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis but I'm very glad you've found us.
This site is to go to the "Chat Room."

You may want to post either in the "Caregivers Site" or "Early Onset Alzheimer's site."
Those are much busier forums.

If you need immediate assistance, please call the AD Helpline @ 800-272-3900. There are professionals there 24/7 to assist you.

You may, also, want your contact your local AD Assn for guidance/help. Please go to the bottom of this page and click on "Chapters" for your local number.

Please, read and find out as much as you can about Early Onset AD. There is lots of information on this site.

Again, welcome to OUR family. You are NOT alone. We are here for you.

thank you Lisa, I am just lost, really lost, my husband is not my only problem, he is a step dad to 4 of my kids that at least 3 love him very much an are very reluctant to his diagnosis as two yrs ago he was up and running, a great guy, etc. I guess you heard all this before but really Dale was IT.......we have only had 5 yrs together 4 married and I am not sure I am ready for this....(like AD gives you a choice right?) thank you for answering Lisa.........

Dear ktp,
I'm sorry you are feeling so lost. I know that feeling well. Many of us have been there.

Please, post on either the "Caregiver's site: or the "Early Onset site." You will receive a lot more support.

Please, hang in there. and keep posting!