I just found out today that the neurologists suspects my father has aphasia and that this is the first phase of alzheimers. I have very little (general) information and this is my first time ever in a chat room. I'm a little scared and would like to know what recommendations you have for learning more about this disease. He is schld for an eeg and brain scan. His main symptom is his inability to form into words what he wants to say. He has had a few moments when he has forgotten how to do something that he has done a thousands times before such as a momentary lapse on how to fill the car with gas. Where do I start? sw

My husband can't remember recent conversations, but he hasn't experienced the other things you mentioned yet. I am still learning about this illness. The library has some real good books that may help you to learn. Into the Mist is one I have heard mentioned on this forum. GOod luck. Sandra22

Tonight my brother informed us he is in the early stages of AD. Before he told us, I noticed he kept asking questions on the simplist things, like family last names. I also noticed he was very emotional. I thought AD was hereditery. No one in our family has had it that we know of. I am afraid of losing my only brother. Even though he is married, he is afraid his wife won't take care of him (they were seperated almost 20 years until last year: got back together). He's asked to stay with us when the time comes. I don't want to say no but I have a physical handicap and not able to. Any suggestions? I'm probably posting in the wrong place but I will learn where to go.

AD is heredity in only a small number of people, but for the vast majority, there is no known cause. My husband had it very young, and no one in his family had it, except for one very elderly aunt who got it when she was quite old, so it wasn't the same thing. If you are unable to care for your brother long-term, then the two of you should start looking into alternatives. If his wife is willing, maybe they can get a live-in caregiver when the time comes, or there is the possibility of a care facility. Normally AD is very slow-moving so it may be a long time before such help is needed. Facilities are not all bad, not at all, and you can visit every day, all day, if you like. Does he have children, can they, together, help?

When my husband got AD, I had no idea what to do or really what it was. As time went on I researched and eventually wrote "When the Doctor Says 'Alzheimer's'." It is a deliberately elementary, non-medical book about caregiving--what to expect, how to react, etc.
Please go to the website below and read 'What you Need to Know.' It will help you to understand what your loved one is going thru and how to respond w/less frustration on everyone's part. There are certainly other books, but essentially I wrote the one I wish I'd had when I began.

Caring for a spouse is emotionally much different than caring for a parent. A good website for marrieds is thealzheimerspouse.com. Post on both, you will get a lot of support either way.

Thank you for the information. He does have children but they live in other states. I haven't gotten your book yet but have gone to the website you suggested and it was extremely helpful. What has me worried most right now is he loves to ride his motorcycle when he comes and visits. He lives about 400 miles away. I have also realized it's not an instant death sentance. He's 60 and could live to a ripe old age. I will be making extra trips to the "beach" now. He's lives on the coast and would get angry if the knew I was just checking on him. He's got a sense of humor about it. He took my sister and me out to eat when he was up and embarrassed the fool out of us, then says, I won't remember it. He's crazy anyway. Great personality. He's the typical only brother who loves to embarrass his sisters so it was nothing new to us. Everytime I see him now he is always trying to give me money. He's never done that. I mean try to force it on me. He does love his liquor and that also worrys me. Will that enhance the AD? I know I'm rambling. My sister won't talk about it and my brother is in denial. I just feel lost right now.

Kate--You mentioned your brother had a love of liquor and asked if it can make Alzheimer’s worse.

Alcohol can do more than that...It can cause a specific kind of dementia. This dementia is called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. I found a link with pages that give more information and will paste it below. You might want to do a Google Search on Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome to gather more information.

http://www.zarcrom.com/users/alzheimers/odem/al1.html

Great advice Skericheri. Many times it seems that other causes get overlooked, and I believe many are reversible.

I hope the best for you Kate, and for all of you just starting on this scary path. Keep the humor when at all possible.

Felicia

Thank you so much skericheri and Felicia. I will look into that more and try to mention it to his wife. She also likes her booze so it might not do any good. But it never hurts to try.