Coping With a Loved One's Alzheimer's Disease: Finding the Light

The specter of Alzheimer's in a parent is enough to make a strong man or woman cry. Suddenly, the person who loved and taught you, who was always there for you and knew everything you needed, is the one in need. And you know the future won't be a pretty one. When Bud Black's mother Audrey started the descent into dementia, he couldn't find help (see 'Finding Shangri-La' in the archives). It took him months to find the Ombudsmen, and eventually to find a
place where his mother could be happy -- a place that wouldn't bankrupt him and her. What Bud didn't realize was that all the information he needed was within reach -- inside his computer, waiting for him to unlock its' secrets. If a parent or loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's, what you need
first is information.

The American Health Assistance Foundation Web site (www.ahaf.org/) has the latest research on Alzheimer's as well as Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma and Heart Disease. And if money is a concern (licensed Alzheimer's facilities can run up to $7,000 a month) they also run the Alzheimer's Family Relief program.

The Mayo Clinic has an Alzheimer's Center, and their website is www.mayohealth.org/mayo/common/htm/alzheimers.htm for Alzheimer's information. They include articles about caregiving and research, and you can sign up for e-mail notices about the disease. This is the place to go for information
about the latest drugs available to combat Alzheimer's. For alternative treatments, Meditopia offers information on Alzheimer's as well as Heart Disease, Panic Attacks and Menopause. Their website is: www.meditopia.com/alzhome.html. You can send an e-mail message to info@meditopia.com for individual
information. They specialize in Oriental medicine techniques.

Research is Ongoing

There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but there are drugs that reduce the symptoms and make it easier for sufferers to live normal lives. And research breakthroughs are occurring daily, so keeping up on the latest information is important. The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (www.alzheimers.org) is maintained by the National Institute on Aging. They have the latest information on research, news from the NIA, and NIA Alzheimer
centers around the country. There are links to other Federal Resources, Alzheimer's Publications and a Clinical Trials Database. You can e-mail them with questions or telephone toll free at 800/438-4380.

If you're looking for an Alzheimer's specialist in your area, the Alzheimer's Association can help. Their website is www.alz.org, and their toll-free number is 800/272-3900. They offer referrals to physicians and health care professionals, caregivers and research centers. You can read the stories of other people with Alzheimer's, and find the local chapter of the Association. This is where you'll find information about the World Alzheimer's Congress 2000.

Real Life Stories Can Help

Other caregivers have information that can help you, and stories to inspire. Some of them have been posted on websites. ALZwell (www.alzwell.com) is one, a website maintained by a woman named Susan, who cares for her mother-in-law, a victim of Alzheimer's and Diabetes. Susan reviews books about Alzheimer's and offers links to 100 online resources. You may post your own story and concerns on her "Anger Page". Registered nurse Pam Haisman is
working on a book about Alzheimer's victims and their caregivers; you can go to her website and take one of her surveys, and participate in the book. Her website is: www.water.net/alzheimer.

Common knowledge has it that there is no assistance with Alzheimer's housing. Robert Rowe beat the system when he managed to get financial assistance for his wife, including an acceptable nursing home. He reveals his secrets and leads you through the process in his book, Alzheimer's Day Care, Nursing Homes and Medicaid. It is available online at: www.rvralzheimers.com.

These sites are only the tip of what is becoming a very large iceberg. As with anything else, there are scams out there. But these sites are legitimate, maintained by people who know this disease and want to help you through the maze. Good hunting...and good living...as Dr. Bruce Yankner of Harvard Medical School says, "We've learned more about Alzheimer's in the past 15 years than in the previous 85."

Sources Used in the Story:

The American Health Assistance Foundation: www.ahaf.org/

The Mayo Health Clinic: www.mayohealth.org/mayo/common/htm/alzheimers.htm

Meditopia: www.meditopia.com/alzhome.html

The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center: www.alzheimers.org

The Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org

ALZwell: www.alzwell.com

Pam Haisman's site: www.water.net/alzheimer

Robert Rowe's site: www.rvralzheimers.com.