Has Alzheimer's touched your life? One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. This autumn, join thousands of others and sign up for free to an Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk at memorywalk.org.uk
yepppp, my great grandma had alzheimers, after a while she only recognised my brother, although she sometimes thought that he was one of my uncles? she was mostly fine though, but at one point she started going out on her own and having a hard time finding her way back and thats when everyone living on that property at the time started taking extra care that the gate was always locked
oh and when i was in psychiatric care for almost two weeks, there were two elderly ladies who had dementia. they were quite wild sometimes and really sweet as well. the nurses had their hands full for sure.
My great grandma had it and my grandma has it my great grandma though that because I look like one of her children that I was and always called me her baby she unfortunately pasted in 2020 and my grandma is still alive and me my brother and my parents live with her
Well, this is alarmingly timely. My mother was just diagnosed with early Alzheimer's last month and we've all been dealing with that and the changes it's brought about. My husband said I should start charging you rent for living in my head, since the last few topics have been very on point.
Many sympathies - wishing your family strength & resilience as you tackle this challenge!! 🥺 Hope your mum may be able to preserve as much as possible of her individual personality & affections, even if/when her memories and trail-of-thought may be impacted?
My mum had early onset Alzheimer’s. Diagnosed maybe three years before her death. My dad was caring for her for years before that though none of us would admit that. We all knew something was wrong for 8 years or so. She couldn’t do simple maths, would say silly things. Thought dad was cheating and that there was some kind of cult. She just had a vague fear that was expressed through irrational beliefs. She was fantastic at masking her symptoms and rarely showed us how much she was struggling. When she was diagnosed with depression before the Alzheimer’s. The medication (we think) caused her sodium levels to get low and cause insane behaviour for the first time, chasing cars shouting at neighbours. This was unignorable and out of character, she couldn’t mask any more and we got a diagnosis 4 years ago. She was put in the right medication and it worked amazingly, suddenly she could dress herself again and do up buttons. The paranoia was constant but she mostly kept it to herself or told me sometimes quietly. We couldn’t watch telly as she believed people on the screen were talking to her. Then the more she let go the happier she was. Seeing her live in the moment was truly beautiful. We went on long walks in lock down as she was better when distracted. I remember seeing the joy on her face when looking at the sunset- like when your a child and everything is brand new. I moved home to help my dad and take the pressure off him. It was the hardest time in my life but by far the most rewarding, every time I could make her feel at ease was a true victory. And the more the disease took over the less fear she had, so she was happier. I built my business to have a reason to move home and she was with it enough to be proud of me. She died of cancer in 2021. She never seemed to be in pain even though she should have been. She was diagnosed then dead within 10 days. The onset of cancer symptoms were masked by the Alzheimer’s and doctors did not run tests. She had a massive tumour in her stomach that we could physically feel but the doctor said “it’s just muscle “ and sent her home. They had the pandemic to worry about instead. Even though the nhs really failed I don’t feel sad at how things went. I would never have wanted her to go through the pain of treatment or knowledge. I’m glad none of us knew till the end. I’m glad she’s dead and no longer suffering. Caring for her would have damaged my dad more. I’m glad I never saw her fail to recognise me. I love her so much.
My great grandma had dementia (can't recall if it was Alzheimers or not) but Luke's story of walking his Grannie home really reminded me of one moment with mine. It was a couple of years before she died and we were at my grandma's (her daughter) for Christmas dinner and because of how many of us there were it was always that her and all the children got food first and the rest of the adults got theirs after. Once she and the kids had finished my grandma brought out the food for the other adults and my great-grandma started getting annoyed and she said she hadn't eaten yet (it was a plate full she'd had) and refused to believe she'd already eaten so she had another full christmas dinner again, then was confused as to why she felt so full. Was one of those times where, looking back, we know what was happening but at the time we all just found it quite funny
I spent most of my time in an aged care facility as a child, became close friends with the residents and saw so many of them deal with Alzheimer's. Being 10 years old and having someone cry sharing their fears of losing their mind, and then watching what they were scared of actually happen to them. I think that contributed a lot to the fear i live with of losing my mind to psychosis, the cognitive issues i already have terrify me and they just keep getting worse 😅
My great aunt had it (and passed away) when I was a teenager. It was incredibly sad watching her confused and distressed. My extended family took advantage of her and her situation, and I am still very upset about it. If my parents ever get it you can bet I will be making sure they are happy, well cared for, and feel loved. This was a very nice episode- I am very thankful for the research being done
That's really sad to hear, and a very important point - the vulnerability of people who are suffering from Alzheimer's & other forms of dementia? Whether to elder abuse, or poor institutional care, or even familial financial exploitation... Kudos to you for being so committed to making sure your parents have respectful & protective care if necessary!
I lost my paternal grandmother to Alzheimer's. This caused my father to panic that it would happen to him as well. However, instead of taking the preventive measures you discussed, he latched onto the health fad of turmeric as a miracle cure for Alzheimer's. He mixes powdered turmeric into his drinks as a daily ritual and thinks that's going to prevent cognitive decline. There is no evidence that this works, as it's based on a correlation of turmeric being widely used in India, where there is a low rate of Alzheimer's as far as we know. I wish I could get through to him, but he's obstinate when it comes to health trends.
I had two cases of dementia in my family. My great aunt as well as her brother, my grandfather, had it. It was quite harsh dealing with it, but it was also kinda sweet with my great aunt thinking she was reconnected with her brother and her sister, as my brother and me look very similar to how they looked as teens. A lot of my neighbours have different kinds of dementia, as most of them are way over the age of 80. It's sad to see them passing, but it's also nice to see they get a lot of care, they're happy until the very end and they do what they love. Edit: As an added context, my great aunt got separated from her siblings during the war when they were young adults, most got scattered around and only two, she and my grandfather, were able to find back to each other when they were older and there was peace again.
This podcast is so interesting! I love listening to it on my way to school, I'm a first year social work student and decided to write an essay on Alzheimer's, you guys make a lot of science toppics easy to understand and also make it intruiging!
I suffer (badly) with PTSD from childhood CSA. I’m beyond terrified of alzheimers, and either reliving all that trauma. As i think about it every day, and I feel it through my body and I dwell and panic over it and the terrible way the police have responded during the night. I’m really scared I’ll start sharing things I never talk about with friend and carers and cause them vicarious trauma or break their hearts seeing the distress I’m always in but hide. 🤷♀️
My grandpa had Alzheimer’s when I was 8 or 9 years old. He passed away quite fast after being diagnosed, but I don’t remember much about the impacts on my family since I was so young.
Thanks guys, this is a super-important awareness-raising episode! 💕 The thing that startled me the most about interacting with my grandma in her increasing experience of age-linked dementia was how incredibly emotionally draining it was for the family...? Even though she herself was cheerful & largely undistressed, just the constant repetition (on her behalf, and also necessary in interacting with her) was really exhausting. Linking into what Corey was saying about Montessori, it was a lot like interacting with a toddler, but with the added grief of seeing her loss of memory, and how that eroded so much of who she had been...? I can only imagine how enormously more challenging it must be both for carers & patients where real personality changes and physical impairments also becomes involved. The whole process really reinforced for me how important it is to have solid support systems both for patients AND for their carers...? As someone who already suffers from fibromyalgia-related cognitive issues myself in my mid-40s, the prospect of improved medication options and potential faster diagnosis in future is something that gives much hope. I think the guys touched on an important point too re. how the age/dementia connection has affected funding & prioritization for research? Hopefully with a rapidly ageing world population, the perception of the urgency around these issues may continue to change.
Has Alzheimer's touched your life?
One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. This autumn, join thousands of others and sign up for free to an Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk at memorywalk.org.uk
yepppp, my great grandma had alzheimers, after a while she only recognised my brother, although she sometimes thought that he was one of my uncles? she was mostly fine though, but at one point she started going out on her own and having a hard time finding her way back and thats when everyone living on that property at the time started taking extra care that the gate was always locked
oh and when i was in psychiatric care for almost two weeks, there were two elderly ladies who had dementia. they were quite wild sometimes and really sweet as well. the nurses had their hands full for sure.
yes, my grandpa has dementia.
My great grandma had it and my grandma has it my great grandma though that because I look like one of her children that I was and always called me her baby she unfortunately pasted in 2020 and my grandma is still alive and me my brother and my parents live with her
Well, this is alarmingly timely. My mother was just diagnosed with early Alzheimer's last month and we've all been dealing with that and the changes it's brought about. My husband said I should start charging you rent for living in my head, since the last few topics have been very on point.
Many sympathies - wishing your family strength & resilience as you tackle this challenge!! 🥺 Hope your mum may be able to preserve as much as possible of her individual personality & affections, even if/when her memories and trail-of-thought may be impacted?
My mum had early onset Alzheimer’s. Diagnosed maybe three years before her death. My dad was caring for her for years before that though none of us would admit that. We all knew something was wrong for 8 years or so. She couldn’t do simple maths, would say silly things. Thought dad was cheating and that there was some kind of cult. She just had a vague fear that was expressed through irrational beliefs.
She was fantastic at masking her symptoms and rarely showed us how much she was struggling. When she was diagnosed with depression before the Alzheimer’s. The medication (we think) caused her sodium levels to get low and cause insane behaviour for the first time, chasing cars shouting at neighbours. This was unignorable and out of character, she couldn’t mask any more and we got a diagnosis 4 years ago.
She was put in the right medication and it worked amazingly, suddenly she could dress herself again and do up buttons.
The paranoia was constant but she mostly kept it to herself or told me sometimes quietly. We couldn’t watch telly as she believed people on the screen were talking to her.
Then the more she let go the happier she was. Seeing her live in the moment was truly beautiful. We went on long walks in lock down as she was better when distracted. I remember seeing the joy on her face when looking at the sunset- like when your a child and everything is brand new.
I moved home to help my dad and take the pressure off him. It was the hardest time in my life but by far the most rewarding, every time I could make her feel at ease was a true victory. And the more the disease took over the less fear she had, so she was happier.
I built my business to have a reason to move home and she was with it enough to be proud of me.
She died of cancer in 2021. She never seemed to be in pain even though she should have been. She was diagnosed then dead within 10 days. The onset of cancer symptoms were masked by the Alzheimer’s and doctors did not run tests. She had a massive tumour in her stomach that we could physically feel but the doctor said “it’s just muscle “ and sent her home. They had the pandemic to worry about instead.
Even though the nhs really failed I don’t feel sad at how things went. I would never have wanted her to go through the pain of treatment or knowledge.
I’m glad none of us knew till the end. I’m glad she’s dead and no longer suffering. Caring for her would have damaged my dad more. I’m glad I never saw her fail to recognise me. I love her so much.
My great grandma had dementia (can't recall if it was Alzheimers or not) but Luke's story of walking his Grannie home really reminded me of one moment with mine. It was a couple of years before she died and we were at my grandma's (her daughter) for Christmas dinner and because of how many of us there were it was always that her and all the children got food first and the rest of the adults got theirs after.
Once she and the kids had finished my grandma brought out the food for the other adults and my great-grandma started getting annoyed and she said she hadn't eaten yet (it was a plate full she'd had) and refused to believe she'd already eaten so she had another full christmas dinner again, then was confused as to why she felt so full.
Was one of those times where, looking back, we know what was happening but at the time we all just found it quite funny
I spent most of my time in an aged care facility as a child, became close friends with the residents and saw so many of them deal with Alzheimer's. Being 10 years old and having someone cry sharing their fears of losing their mind, and then watching what they were scared of actually happen to them. I think that contributed a lot to the fear i live with of losing my mind to psychosis, the cognitive issues i already have terrify me and they just keep getting worse 😅
My great aunt had it (and passed away) when I was a teenager. It was incredibly sad watching her confused and distressed. My extended family took advantage of her and her situation, and I am still very upset about it. If my parents ever get it you can bet I will be making sure they are happy, well cared for, and feel loved. This was a very nice episode- I am very thankful for the research being done
That's really sad to hear, and a very important point - the vulnerability of people who are suffering from Alzheimer's & other forms of dementia? Whether to elder abuse, or poor institutional care, or even familial financial exploitation... Kudos to you for being so committed to making sure your parents have respectful & protective care if necessary!
I lost my paternal grandmother to Alzheimer's. This caused my father to panic that it would happen to him as well. However, instead of taking the preventive measures you discussed, he latched onto the health fad of turmeric as a miracle cure for Alzheimer's. He mixes powdered turmeric into his drinks as a daily ritual and thinks that's going to prevent cognitive decline. There is no evidence that this works, as it's based on a correlation of turmeric being widely used in India, where there is a low rate of Alzheimer's as far as we know. I wish I could get through to him, but he's obstinate when it comes to health trends.
I had two cases of dementia in my family. My great aunt as well as her brother, my grandfather, had it. It was quite harsh dealing with it, but it was also kinda sweet with my great aunt thinking she was reconnected with her brother and her sister, as my brother and me look very similar to how they looked as teens.
A lot of my neighbours have different kinds of dementia, as most of them are way over the age of 80. It's sad to see them passing, but it's also nice to see they get a lot of care, they're happy until the very end and they do what they love.
Edit: As an added context, my great aunt got separated from her siblings during the war when they were young adults, most got scattered around and only two, she and my grandfather, were able to find back to each other when they were older and there was peace again.
This podcast is so interesting! I love listening to it on my way to school, I'm a first year social work student and decided to write an essay on Alzheimer's, you guys make a lot of science toppics easy to understand and also make it intruiging!
I suffer (badly) with PTSD from childhood CSA.
I’m beyond terrified of alzheimers, and either reliving all that trauma. As i think about it every day, and I feel it through my body and I dwell and panic over it and the terrible way the police have responded during the night.
I’m really scared I’ll start sharing things I never talk about with friend and carers and cause them vicarious trauma or break their hearts seeing the distress I’m always in but hide. 🤷♀️
My grandpa had Alzheimer’s when I was 8 or 9 years old. He passed away quite fast after being diagnosed, but I don’t remember much about the impacts on my family since I was so young.
Thanks guys, this is a super-important awareness-raising episode! 💕
The thing that startled me the most about interacting with my grandma in her increasing experience of age-linked dementia was how incredibly emotionally draining it was for the family...? Even though she herself was cheerful & largely undistressed, just the constant repetition (on her behalf, and also necessary in interacting with her) was really exhausting. Linking into what Corey was saying about Montessori, it was a lot like interacting with a toddler, but with the added grief of seeing her loss of memory, and how that eroded so much of who she had been...? I can only imagine how enormously more challenging it must be both for carers & patients where real personality changes and physical impairments also becomes involved. The whole process really reinforced for me how important it is to have solid support systems both for patients AND for their carers...?
As someone who already suffers from fibromyalgia-related cognitive issues myself in my mid-40s, the prospect of improved medication options and potential faster diagnosis in future is something that gives much hope.
I think the guys touched on an important point too re. how the age/dementia connection has affected funding & prioritization for research? Hopefully with a rapidly ageing world population, the perception of the urgency around these issues may continue to change.
My grandma had Alzheimer’s. It was so sad see her decline over the years and forgot things. Honestly it’s a horrible way to go. Sad.
My grandmother on my mother's side had Alzheimers. I was very personally interested in this episode