Alzheimer’s Disease

What are the early signs of Alzheimers Disease?

01/13/2015

Dear Karen,
How do I know if my mom has Alzheimer’s disease? What are some of the early signs of this disease? -Betty

Dear Betty:
Good question, Betty. Many people, including myself, want to know what signs to look for. For wisdom on this subject I went to wonderful resource, Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers. Frank Broyles, is Athletic Director Emeritus for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. His wife, Barbara, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Frank says, “I had many questions and spent a lot of time looking for answers. What I learned is contained in my book, Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers.”

One of the first topics which Coach Broyles deals with in his book is what signs to look for.

Don’t Argue

08/17/2015

Why try to win an argument no one can win? Norma says, “When Frank’s mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I made it my goal to keep his mother happy and not agitated.  I saw no harm in agreeing to some of her most outlandish comments or suggestions just to keep her calm (as long […]

Signs of Alzheimer’s

09/24/2015

Many people, including myself, want to know what signs to look for.  For wisdom on this subject I went to wonderful resource, Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers.  Frank Broyles, is Athletic Director Emeritus for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. His wife, Barbara, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  Frank says, “I had many questions and spent […]

Telling Life’s Stories

04/17/2012

Reminiscing is healthy! It’s the process by which we make sense out of this mystery we call life. Reminiscing helps those who are older to find meaning and purpose in the years they have lived. It can create new levels of appreciation and intimacy between generations and can transform times spent beside beds or other visits into memorable times together.

The following questions will provide you with hours of worthwhile communication. If possible, tape or write down your discussions. Then the stories can be shared with other family members and friends.

Alzheimer’s Disease

10/21/2011

When Frank’s mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I think each one of the family members had the same reaction at first – grief. However, over time we dealt with her illness in different ways. Frank’s sister and brother quickly moved into the denial stage and remained there until their mother’s death. Frank himself stayed in the grief phase for quite a while, but then moved on to acceptance. “Acceptance” didn’t mean, of course, that he gave up all hope – he still longed to see moments of lucidity in his mother.