Aunt Judy

[naivelytrusting]

My Aunt Judy died a year ago next month. She had Alzheimer's, and we watched her slip away slowly over a few years. It was really bad already when they diagnosed her and it only got worse. Because Alzheimer's affects the memory, some severe Alzheimer's patients sometimes go out wandering and stuff because they get lost or think they're somewhere else. My uncle Gary was taking care of her because he didn't want to put her in a nursing home because he really wanted to stay with her forever. One night she got out of bed, got dressed, and went out the front door. When uncle Gary woke up the next morning, she was gone, so he went out looking for her. He found her on a bench on the side of the road, laying there like she was sleeping, but she wasn't breathing. it really came as a shock, and I really miss her. she talked to me about God before I ever became a Christian and she led me to listen to my friends when they started talking about Him. I thank God that I'll see her in heaven one day, but it hurts sooo much.

 

[traingosorry]

I am so sorry for your loss. Some of us are fortunate to have aunts who are very dear to us and are a strong presence in our lives - while others are not so fortunate.

Alzheimers is a terrible disease that not only hurts the person afflicted, but takes its toll on everyone around them. It is very frustrating and so sad to watch your loved one become disoriented, confused and to become almost a stranger. To take care of a person with Alzheimers, is one thing, but to be a relative, loved one or friend of this person and to watch them deteriorate is quite another. I have seen many elderly and not so elderly people and their families try to cope with Alzheimers, it's a very sad thing to witness.

So sweety, I have to say that I am happy to know she is gone now, because it would have been very distressing on her as well, to be so disoriented. Not to menion her poor, poor husband. I hope he is doing better today, a year later.

How are you doing? Have you ever thought about using this experience to help others in the same situation?

take care of yourself.

 

[naivelytrusting]

thank you for your condolences. it's been hard but I try to remember what she was like when I was a little girl and I know I'll see her in heaven. I have a friend whose grandpa was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's and I've been able to help him a little. he didn't want to spend any time with his grandpa because he was scared of the alzheimer's but I told him that now is the time he SHOULD be spending with his grandpa making lots of memories and helping his grandpa focus on something other than the disease. they say that patients with strong family and social networks decline more slowly because they have more reason to stay alert. I hope I can help other people going through this too.