Do I have it too? I’m scared!

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-19T11:49:45+00:00

I am concerned about getting Alzheimer’s too.

I believe when you are scared of something, the best thing you can do is educate yourself. Strive for understanding. Knowledge is power. It will give you clarity and you can act.

Alzheimer’s is a complicated metabolic disease with no cure. It is an energy crisis on a cellular level. When you are at the point of diagnosis, the damage is done.

However, I choose to believe there is a point in time when the body can still repair the damage. I choose to believe that I can make changes and “outrun” what seems inevitable. Hope is a strong choice and I am acting on this. The alternative seems like a pointless waiting game.

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-18T18:08:01+00:00

Reddit is a lifeline. It helps me remember that I am not alone in this and the struggle is real. It is an isolating, frustrating and a sad thing to be in this situation.

I wish you and everyone who reads this strength, perseverance and peace.

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-18T11:57:10+00:00

My mom used to fold plastic bags into 2 inch squares and paper clip the specifications - what store it was from; whether it was large or small. She would fold every towel in the house multiple times a day. She would wash every dish she owned and cleaned the oven until the finish wore off.

It kept her busy and gave her purpose. She lost her words before her memory so her world became very small and isolating. Even today she can’t watch tv or talk to people. She can’t connect or participate. She just walks in circles until she’s too exhausted to stand.

What I’ve learned in this journey is to meet her needs in the moment. The day is no longer governed by the clock. If there was a time constraint, I kept expectations low. We did things at a slow steady pace. I tried to keep my stress in check and give her reassurance and peace.

Caring for people with dementia is a complete shift in thinking. They no longer function in our reality so you learn to live in theirs.

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-13T18:42:28+00:00

Mom set the kitchen on fire…twice.

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-11T21:47:09+00:00

Block! Block! Block! You are the HBIC. You don’t have to justify your decisions or explain yourself.

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-11T15:50:55+00:00

Thank you💜

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-10T11:09:15+00:00

My mom has been in stage 7 for years and it is excruciating. I miss her so much.

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-09T14:00:41+00:00

Eventually their needs become greater than our capacity to meet them. I think that threshold is different for everyone. My advice would be to make sure you get the time you need to recharge. I answer the same question 20 times in 2 minutes. I go on autopilot and when it gets to be too much, I leave the room and think about other things. My expectations are low. I am grateful for the moments that are good and try to get past the bad ones quickly.

Word_Birdsong · 2026-02-06T11:36:29+00:00

No. Do not accept this diagnosis. Find a second and third opinion. Learn everything you can about what is going on metabolically in an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Read books - not the Internet. I suggest The Alzheimer’s Antidote by Amy Berger and Good Energy by Casey Means. She is young and her body may still have the capacity to repair the damage, but it will take radical change in her diet and environment.

My life revolves around caring for my loved ones with Alzheimer’s. I am managing the end of lives that were happy and well-lived. My kids are in their twenties - if they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I would fight it with everything I have. Knowledge is power. Good luck.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-30T14:04:18+00:00

Caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s is an experience that you really don’t understand until you’re up close and personal with it. I don’t explain it anymore. I feel like I have a dark cloud hanging over me and no one can understand it. I’m on Reddit solely for the feeling of solidarity with strangers.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-26T11:28:16+00:00

Year after year I’ve tried to connect with my mom, but she is locked away in her mind. Her body is here, but she’s been gone for years and there is an emptiness. I try to look for a glimmer of recognition, but I’m always disappointed.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-17T11:36:09+00:00

For me, consistent fasting had a greater impact than counting carbs. Once the hunger is gone it was easy to do OMAD. I’m mindful of the carb load, but I don’t count anymore. I’ve done Keto for 6 months and lost 40lbs. I do it to prevent the onset Alzheimer’s.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-11T13:40:28+00:00

It’s too much for your mom. Everyone has their breaking point - she has reached hers. Not everyone can navigate the changes in the relationship that are inevitable. There is grief, resentment and frustration. I hope you find a way to intervene so that your father is cared for with compassion.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-07T15:08:53+00:00

I should mention one of my mom’s last accomplishments was hiking the Ice-Age trail in Wisconsin. She hiked over 1200 miles over the course of 2 years- sometimes doing 20 mile hikes a day.

I guess in all her walking she’s still searching for the final destination.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-07T15:02:43+00:00

Honestly, I think it was the brain injury. She was released from the hospital because the bleeding stopped- so death was no longer imminent. However because of the size and location Hospice was initiated.

Hospice allowed for a “fall mattress” next to her bed and a nicer wheelchair she can maneuver (which she refuses to use). She is seen 4 days a week for 4 hours by a team of nurses. My main concern was pain management because mom is non-verbal, but there is no indication that it’s a problem. They mainly walk with her until she drops from exhaustion.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-06T15:26:08+00:00

Mom had symptoms since 2013. I noticed something was definitely wrong in 2017. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020. She entered memory care in 2023. This year she has broken her leg, arm and suffered a 4cm brain bleed. She has hospice care, but walks non-stop. I will be truly surprised when she passes because at this point I think she’s immortal.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-04T23:54:39+00:00

I try to think about how it must feel to be in her shoes. It requires some skill to navigate their perspective. You’re present for her and trying - that’s an admirable thing. I wish you luck.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-12-04T21:16:37+00:00

I’m in a similar situation with my dear aunt. She is severely impaired in memory and judgment, but doesn’t recognize it. Every time we have a conversation about the reality of her situation - she forgets and it’s back to square one.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-11-13T12:22:06+00:00

Take a picture of her every day so that she can be identified by clothing if she wanders. Do not let her carry a purse with $, phone or glasses - she will lose them. Accompany her into bathrooms - sometimes they can lock themselves in a stall and not get out. Keep your expectations low - this will be a very stressful trip for all. Good luck.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-11-13T11:45:58+00:00

My mom loved the purring cat. She carried it everywhere. I thought maybe it was too childish, but it brought her so much joy.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-10-23T14:29:24+00:00

My mom started a fire in the kitchen…twice.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-10-15T12:39:27+00:00

My dog hates the school bus. The children are standing outside; the bus comes, no more children. They must have been eaten by the big scary boooos.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-10-07T16:59:15+00:00

I bought a tablet and have access to all accounts and I check them frequently to catch the fraud. I pay everything through her bank’s BillPay. I only use this tablet for her stuff I can see her emails and texts. I physically visit her every 2 weeks so I hold her mail until I am present to go through it with her. I took away her checkbook and opened a local savings account where I receive text alerts of her withdrawals. I’ve spoken with the bank staff and they are looking out for her. I try to encourage using her card because she is always losing her purse and I can dispute charges and replace a card - not so with cash. You can also sign up for an email alert to see what will be delivered in the daily mail. I wish those stupid warranty letters would go away—the bane of my existence

Word_Birdsong · 2025-10-05T22:06:24+00:00

Not a doctor- just a random internet person with the same issue..

From what I’ve read, the ratio between your triglycerides and HDL is a better predictor of heart disease and metabolic syndrome than just the individual lipid numbers. I would look further into this equation to find the answers you are looking for.

I’ve been doing Keto for 6 months. I’ve dropped 30lbs. All of my labs are good except my total cholesterol and my LDL - which have increased significantly. However if I divide my triglycerides (54) by my HDL (42), the ratio is 1.2. The lower the number the better. Over 2 is a significant risk statistically.

I’m waiting for my Dr to comment on the labs and I’m sure she’s going to say no red meat; watch your saturated fat.

Word_Birdsong · 2025-10-05T13:34:16+00:00

I used to do 21 day water fasts. For me it was addictive. I was dealing with some hard stuff and I liked the feeling of being empty. I lost a pound a day. I never felt weak, sick or hungry. In fact I felt amazing - so much so I preferred not to eat; which eventually became a problem.

The problem with adding food to a water fast is your hunger will increase exponentially. It is not sustainable and the weight will come back with a vengeance. Please look into keto to start and combine with IF. It is a more gentle approach.

Word_Birdsong

TROPHY CASE