Alzheimer's. I am thankful that nobody in my blood line has ever gotten it

[enough]

5. I took care of my elderly mother and father, both with dementia.

This went on for several years and I was their primary caregiver the entire time, with daily and hourly contact. They have both since died.

I would not have gotten through the experience without the CAREGIVERS FORUM of the Alzheimer's Association:

http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=topics&f=151

That is the link to a literal lifeline for anyone taking care of a person with Alzheimer's, whether you are living in the same house with them or trying to support and understand from 3000 miles away.

While I was a caregiver, I had that forum up on my computer just about 24 hours a day. That is the place to get the REAL answers and the REAL understanding from people who are in the trenches right along with you.

You won't find false cheerfulness, but you will find true inspiration and real humor. You will never be judged, and nobody will be giving you "good" advice about what you "should" be doing. Everybody there knows what it's really like.

The best thing anyone can do who is connected to an Alzheimer's patient is to sign up for the Caregivers Forum, read, learn, and participate!