Never knew it would be so hard

[Marilyn]

Lynne, my heart goes out to you. My mother developed dimentia around the time my father passed away in 1995. She spent almost 5 years in a nursing home due to this disease. We tried to put her in assisted living, but they were building it at the time and she got worse too quickly and had to go into a nursing home. I felt so guilty for not being able to care for her at home, but I worked full time and was trying to raise two daughters (born in 85 and 87). I visited her almost every day. My daughters did their homework at the nursing home many times. I took her to lots of doctors trying to find one who could fix her. My work sufferred and my poor husband didn't have too many home cooked meals. I really don't remember now what we did for food in the evenings.

I hope they have better treatments and facilities available now. I know there are some in this area now specifically for people with Alzheimers/dimentia. When she needed the special help, there were none.

My prayers are with you. I had no other family to turn to and carried most of the burden and guilt myself. Typing this I am starting to cry for both you and the memory of my experience. Be sure and remember to not let this overwhelm you. She's not the only person in your family needing you. Caring for a parent with this disease can be consuming and overwhelming.

One of my greatest fears is developing the disease myself. If I get lost or confused about something, I worry that it may be beginning already. Take care, and PM me if you need to. I don't know that I have any good suggestions, but do have a shoulder you can lean on.