A Daughter's View of Alzheimers - part 2

In the year 2000, my husband and I moved back to his home near Chattanooga, TN (Actually NW Georgia) and left the life that we had shared in Florida for the previous 15 years. It was a welcomed change. A slower pace of life and much, much friendlier and patient people. No more constant hustle and bustle. No more road rage driving on the crowded interstates of Tampa, FL.

The draw back was leaving my mom and dad. I know that we are adults and that financially my dad had provided for their later years, but I felt an obligation to be near them to help with my father's progressing disease.

Knowing that God is in control of everything and as life would have it, my mom and dad moved out of FL and now live within a mile of my husband and myself. It was a relief to know that we would be able to assist my mom and be there when they needed help. My husband had worked in an assisted living facility that specialized in Alzheimer's care, so he was very aware of what was in my family's future caring for my dad.

We have always promised my dad that we would not place him in a nursing home. My mom being 9 years younger than my dad, thankfully has the energy and ability to care for my dad. She does get tired at times, but she is always able to vent to me and if she needs some time away, I am able to sit with my dad.

The funny part about my father's disease is that some of our friends and family did not believe that he had Alzheimer's for quite awhile. They believed that my mother and I were exaggerating his symptoms. My brothers would come for a visit and Dad would speak clearly and hold a relatively lucid conversation. They would speak with me and say that dad was fine. What no one understood is that my father would "practice" before company arrived. He would lay awake at night and create conversations. Sometimes he would make lists of discussions or questions. He hid his disease very well.

My brothers and family friends were not aware of the lost credit cards, the double deposits written in check books before my mother took over the business, the getting lost and the inability to handle normal daily activities.

I am sad to say that he is at the point where he can no longer hide his symptoms. The symptoms are visible to all who meet him.

Next time, the loss we feel.