My mother is only 71 and her memory is getting worse every day, since her stroke. How can I get help?
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The problem with Alzhaimer is neurons lost connection. Make connections, then. Music is a very good answer. You can buy a flute or an electronic piano or any other instrument and teach her some songs. You can start with easy ones and then go on.
You can also ask her questions, or ask her some stories from time ago. Usually, aged people remember what happened many years ago, but they don't remember where they put the keys.
Have ya ever hearded about "cerebral gymnastics" ?? It's exersices for anyone who wants to improve memory, consentration and so on. An excersise, for example, is to change rutine. Let's say: you stand up, maybe pray, brush your teeth, wash your face and comb your hair. Well, then tomorrow you can start by washing your face and ending brushing your teeth.
It also handles some presure points that can help, breathing and exersices. I've read the book in Spanish, 'cuz I speak the language, but maybe you can get some information. I wish she get better, and I hope this to be useful.
Sit with her and tell all you know about her, you and other members, tell stories and ask her questions. Give small maths problems, ask her to sing and remember the lines .play songs and sing with her and encourage her etc will help.
Well, you should try to get a power of attorney, and a health care power of attorney from her. You should have the latter, too, so maybe you and your mom could do them together -- although for yours, you ought to name someone your own age or younger.
Point out that she's had one stroke, and she needs someone who can authorize medical attention for her, and pay her bills, etc, if she's stuck in the hospital again.
If you can get her to let you go to the doctor with her, as a sort of secretary, to take notes about what the doctor says, that would be great. Then you could gently remind her while you're there-- "Didn't you want to ask about the balance problem, Mom?" "Oh, and the memory thing -- did you want to ask him why you keep forgetting stuff?" She probably has physical questions that need asking as well as the mental, so it doesn't look as if you're trying to trap her.
It's really hard, especially when your mother is so comparatively young. You don't want to take over, but if things are going to get worse, you need to be ready. The privacy laws are great, but they can cause a lot of problems, too.
Some good answers: Gingko biloba, and fish oil supplements: no alumin(i)um products (www.mercola.com) such as in cooking, antiperspirants, deodorants, or some antacids. Keep mentally active. Moderate exercise. I'm teaching myself to be ambidextrous, so the other half of my brain can take over functions, (as insurance) and use garlic, and ginger. See http://www.mental-health-abc.com/... & http://www.alzheimers.asn.au & http://www.neurologychannel.com... & http://www.alzheimers.org.au & http://www.dementianet.org.au
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