ALZHEIMERS
We're often laughing and upbeat on the blog, but I've had a rough week and I'm going to share it with you, my friends. My dear father-in-law has advanced Alzheimer's. We always knew this day would come but we didn't realize how terribly hard it would be. On Friday, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law went with me and we took him to an Alzheimer's care facility. He seemed to be doing okay when we left, but we were called Saturday morning to come back to get him for the weekend. We found out he'd become obsessed with another little lady there that he thought was Mom and wouldn't leave her alone (tried to get into bed with her) and had hit two male orderlies. He's the kindest, most gentle man you've ever met and hadn't been violent at home (other than 1 time about three years ago when he kind of pushed Mom.) So we were unprepared for that. Then yesterday when we started to take him back so the doctor could see him, the admissions director called and said we couldn't bring him back until he'd had a psychiatric evaluation. So I called Lutheran's Generations unit in Fort Wayne and they were able to take him right away.

He'll have to be in there for 7-10 days as they evaluate what medications might help make the transition easier. He's always been such a sweet and gentle man. Alzheimer's is a dreadful disease. I'm always trying to stay up on research and make sure my husband stays well. Poor guy is on a fistful of supplements and I've taken away his Pepsi except for very special occasions. LOL But this disease will take my husband only over my dead body!

I also have a book to finish this week and it's been hard to concentrate with the trauma going on in the family. So I could sure use your prayers, my dear buddies!

Labels: Alzheimer's, Lutheran Generations