Hi! I'm new to this forum & basically "coveted" the address from another caregiver in another forum....hope you don't mind, and judging by some of the posts I've read, I don't think you will. Just moved to El Paso TX from Orlando Florida, where (florida) I was a lifelong resident. My Mom has Vascular Dementia, diagnosed in 2005, but we all know that's not when it starts....I'm one of 3 daughters to my Mom, born in Tampa in 1955; my Sisters are Dawna (51) & Debbie (43) which, had my Mom had any idea she'd end up with alz/dementia, I'm sure she'd have thought twice about naming all her girls with "D"...My sis Dawna lives in Fla still & is a 6 years this February breast cancer survivor, and my sis Deb lives in Illinois. She's widowed 3 months now, her sweetie passed away in October 2007 of lung cancer. So...when we decided to leave Florida for Texas (my sweet husbands place of birth-El Paso) my Mom was already living with he & I so of course, we moved her with us. Unfortunately, folks with dementia don't do well with change, but we had no choice, my job of 20 years was gone (accountant for homebuilder) & we were lucky to sell our home before the market crashed totally. My Dad passed away Feb 21, 2000 after a long battle with heart disease. His last 6 years he had dementia from drug induced coma during open heart surgery that he nearly died from. He was put into coma to heal from amputated leg. Mom cared for him at home & he died at home. She has been a wonderful example to me, but sometimes, I don't know if I can do it. I've been a full time accountant until 9/28/07, and was not at home all day, every day, 24/7 until now. I do not think it will be possible to go back to work. Mom's had 3 hospital trips since October due to dehydration (she hates H20), low blood sugar (she's gotten better about me testing her glucose) & this last time, she was hallucinating & delusional (10 days ago). We live in a beautiful home in a nice area of town, with my husband, mother in law, father in law, 3 dogs & a cat, a ton of birds (many right ourside Mom's window!). It's beautiful here with Mountains, dry weather, warm sun, cool days & we even had a beautiful snowfall on Thanksgiving weekend. Lots of roads for hubby & I to ride our harleys. He calls them our "weekly appointment with the psychiatrist..." He's right. We are devout Roman Catholic & always attend Mass. I used to teach Religious Ed, but can't do it anymore as it requires alot of planning & dedication. It takes me all night to come up with yet another plan to get breakfast, juice, tea & water down Mom before Noon. After Mass, we go home to get dinner organized, Mom fed & comfy watching a sport on TV & then off we go... A couple hours on my bike & looking at the scenery, and I'm good for another week. anyway, that's my story. I'm lonely most days. for conversation with another adult, in my situation. I'm home all day, cook, clean, laundry, errands, medicines, etc. for my Mom. My inlaws are great, but are in decining stages of health as well. I think my MIL has dementia, but she won't talk to the doctor about it. I may try tomorrow. she has macular degenration & it's being treated. Thanks for listening...hope this isn't T.M.I. Take care & Gods blessings to all,

Welcome to our little family Diane. I'm glad you found us. Sounds like you have your hands full. Keep on posting. It would be our honor to walk this journey with you.

Diane,

Welcome to our wonderful family. It is very difficult to be home 24/7 taking care of our loved ones, but we all try to get through this together. My Mom has been with me a year and a half, and if it wasn't for all the great advice and comfort I get on the forum, I don't think I would have made it this far.

Come on here often. Vent about anything you want to, not just AD. The responses you receive will be overwhelming. Depend on us, because we will depend on you. We are very protective of one another, and can always give you a shoulder.

We have a very wonderful young man that runs this whole forum, his name his Aitan. He has a grandmother with AD, so he understands what we all go through. And our two moderators Lori and Carol are always there for us. They've been through it all, and they and Aitan keep this a very safe place for us.

Again, welcome and we hope to see you here anytime you need us.

Jackie

Thank you! The day is young...there's so much I have to do. Having recently relocated, I've got a vehicle to register & get tags for, and my Mom will need a Texas State ID, which means she's going to have to "give up" her Fla. DL. (no driving since Jan 2005) but that's always such a "sore subject" when we bring it up. We have a doc appt with MD tomorrow & I'm going to ask him for a referral to a neurologist for Mom. Maybe there's something more available to her, I'm not sure.
I'm not sure I'm posting right on this site, so if I'm doing something wrong, or need to post in a different place, please help me figure it out?
I have to say something...I'm po'd about the system that doesn't care for the people with alz/dementia. I'm newly finding out what is & isn't "covered", and I guess because I worked full time before & we had 2 incomes, it never struck me that there's a whole world of "not enoughs" out there for people with this disease. It's sad & it makes me mad, not that it changes it, but feelings aren't right or wrong, they are feelings. So there. thanks for letting me vent...
Thanks again,
God Bless you for being here.

Dear Diane,
Welcome welcome welcome.
It sounds like your hands are way more than full, but that you
also have a wonderful support system. I am so glad you found
us, and hope that we can serve as part of that support for you.
Re posting items, if you bring up the index, you will see that
"General Discussion" has the most activity, but there are also
places to post more specifically, if you so wish. Be sure to
check out "Creative Outlet" at the bottom of the list and
take a stroll through our "Garden of Friendship," hopefully
placing an order for your favorite blossoms. We have many
talented members who like to post poems, other writings,
pictures, etc. there.
If you need to send a private message to Aitan, the Administrator,
or anyone else on the board, just use the "pm" button at the
bottom of one of their postings and your message will be
sent anonymously.
Again, welcome welcome welcome. I hope you find this to
be a gentle respite when needed on your journey.
Carol

PS. DianeJ--Be sure to check out "Hope village" in "Creative Outlet," too.
It looks like the building bunnies are hard at work again!
I'm heading over to Deb's Hobbit House right now...

Carol

Hi Diane, welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have a lot going on, I'm sure we'll be reading some good stories from your end. Any questions, comments, concerns just let us know. - Aitan

"WELCOME" Diane! A Biker-Chick, Caregiver, Christian girl! "YEAH!" I am glad you found us, and I am glad you & your hubby can get away for a quick 'putt' And put your knees in the breeze! I know how healing that can be! You will find much Wisdom, Compassion, Info, and Support here!

For Diane!

Sky, give me two wheels coming out on both sides like the front one and I could go for a ride, too.

Why don't you take that to California, it would be cheaper on gas.

LOL! They have three wheelers, but the two are in the back! It's not mine, and alas, I do not travel that lightly! Not enough room for luggage! Oh, and my Mom would kill me before the Bike does! Her Father, was an Orthopetic Surgeon, and forbid her to ever ride one! It stuck, and she hates them too!