I just noticed that we have 140 members on AD caregivers. Gosh where the heck is everyone? Come on everyone, tell us what's going on with your loved ones. Most times when someone posts, it helps us all, and we could all really use the help, support and suggestions anyone has. And we love to give the help also. Actually we all thrive on it as nothing makes us all feel like we've had a good day then to know we've helped someone get through a difficult day.

So come on, write us, vent with us, cry with us and let us be there for you, and you for us. We need to keep this support group going. I know myself, that without all of you, I wouldn't have made it this far with caring for my Mom.

Even if its just once in awhile, join us and let us know how you and your loved ones are doing. We really need you here.

Jackie

I'm here. Lurking mostly. Still learning about life after caregiving.

I'm still here. It's summer so I like to think people are sitting outside and getting some fresh air.
Take care
Eileen

I am still here-like Lori-lurking-and still trying to adjust to mom being gone even though it's been a year.

Pat

I, too, am here lurking. I am getting ready to post on updates. A lot has happened. See you all on the flip side.

You can count me as another "lurker" -- trying to stay up-to-date on everyone, but with very little to add while I'm adjusting to life after.

Ok you lurkers, just as long as you know we're here for you too, as you have always been for us. And keep one thing in mind, we also know the feeling of loosing loved ones. Not the ones we are caring for now, but loved ones that we have lost in the past.

So we're still here to help you through your grieving. And we need all the advice you feel you can give us. Of course keep in mind that we also realize if it hurts you to talk about past experiences with AD, we do understand that. Just as long as you know that we are still here for you also.

Jackie

Popping in from time to time, but been a busy girl recently

Still keep you all in my heart daily.

I pop in from time to time! I guess I fall in the lurking group with Pat and Lori!!!
Since I am now employeed outside of the house. I don't seem to have time to
stop and catch my breath most days..

Even if I am not here know that I think about everyone and pray for everyone!

I'm here still dealing with my own health...bored teenagers----trying to get them off of computer...computer being sick and feeling guilty that I'm not seeing mom much.....(she has been placed but I'm detached from her...figuring out what to do with myself now......transition)

karen

I do think of all as well! oh yeah trying to catch up on yard work that has been on hold due to me being sick and doing two yards for the last 5-10.....

OK add me to the lurker list! It was 9 months ago the 22nd that my MIL passed away. I feel like I'm just beginning to come out of a fog I've been in, just putting one foot in front of the other, and learning how to deal with the world without AD. My husband Tom and I finally got up the courage to sort through her house and put it back in order about a month ago. We hired 1-800 Got Junk to help us trash, donate and remove stuff. If anyone needs help in that department they are wonderful. You point they pick up and remove. Not cheap but so much help. When we got her bedroom back to the way she loved it(no hospital bed, depends everywhere, and all the lotions,potions and the like) I stood there and cried. Our RE agent said to leave it looking liveable, so prospective buyers would know how it could look. Housing market here in Atlanta is awful, so lots of lookers but no one qualified. This is a tiny home and in great shape and would be perfect for a single Mom or a couple just starting out. So, if anyone knows someone like that let me know!

Helping a dear friend who is moving her FIL into their home on Aug 1st. He's a handicapped vet from WWII and is showing signs of some sort of dementia, probably vascular. Interesting, it's not AD but some of the solutions I've learned apply to him as well. He's like a 2nd father to me, so will be helping with whatever I can. That's one thing I've learned on this journey, just jump in and help. Don't wait for the call that says I need help.

Will be back, and hope I can help from time to time. Hugs to you all,

I try to post but I do lurk every day. There are some days you can't get a crane to get me out of bed early LOL!

Kat

I guess I've fallen under the category of lurker too. Now that I'm not in the daily caregiving position and working fulltime and in school fulltime I'm not on the computer as much. I have to say that I LOVE the ALF where my mom is - we did have one small incident where she was found sleeping on the floor and wasn't transported to the ER immediately but she wasn't hurt and the people involved were let go or reprimanded. Other than that her care has been impeccable!

I do peek in from time to time in between trying to keep the boy from getting bored. Miss you all and think of you daily. I learned so much from my days on the boards. Hope to see the LA area people at the walk this fall.

Joanie, so good to see you still around. I'm so glad you are happy with the place your mom is in. So many people have such a hard time finding a good place. Try to pop in a little more often sweetie. I miss hearing from you.

I'm still around. I am changing to this forum being my opening window, so I can get here first every day. I am always "catching up".

Been a busy summer. Getting "Little One" to Boy Scout and now Choir camp. Planning and hosting "Big One's" graduation party. College orientation for Parent's, too. Transporting my Mom back and forth from the north(I am bummed I didn't have time AT ALL, to check in on Joyce!!!). Drove by SIL's, on way back from dropping "Little One" at camp, on the west coast, but knew MIL was not there, so "Big One" and I did not stop. HOWEVER, on Sunday, which is pick-up day at camp, I am desparately trying to get Hubby to agree to stop by. I do need to let SIL know ASAP, as she has MIL at daycare all day, during the week, and MIL stays at some woman's house over each weekend. Mom must be a mess, with all the moving around. I want so badly to see her!! The Boys are beginning to feel that they want to remember Gma as she was. They are quite aware of the ravages of AD, and are afraid to see her, after all this time. We haven't seen her since last summer, on our way home from the north. SIL says Mom "has her lucid moments" in the evenings, but, that seems to be the only time SIL spends with her, so.... Also, we had spoken to Mom near Christmas, and said we were going to try to come out and spend some time with her. Well, in my last phone conversation with SIL, she insisted that it took her 6 MONTHS to settle Mom down from the fact that we did not come out. Well, SIL had MIL "boarded" during the time we had available. SIL also blames on us the fact that a couple of weeks ago, Mom smeared BM on the walls of her caretaker's bathroom walls. It is, of course, because we never came out, during the winter.

What next??
I'll let you know, if we make it there.
Keeping you all in my heart