Two of my friends are featured in recent articles about Alzheimer's. An article in the Appleton, Wisconsin Post-Crescent tells the story of the dementia that runs in Chris VanRyzin's family, and how a combination of prescription medicines, supplements and lifestyle changes have gradually improved her health. Chris is the founder of forMemory, a non-profit working to share information to prevent and treat early onset Alzheimer's and related disease.
Jim Cook's work to help identify people under age 65 with memory loss in the Lincoln, Nebraska area is profiled in the Kearney, Nebraska Hub article. Jim was diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's when he was 55.
Hi "dd,"
I would recommend you check out DASNI (Dementia Support and Advocacy Network International)at http://www.dasninternational.org/. They have an email community and an online chat room. There are several members who have dementia and live alone, and I think they will have some good ideas for you. Also local resources such as a good elder law attorney and the Area Agency on Aging might be helpful. I know from my father's experience that this is stressful even with the full support of a family - to go through this process alone is even worse. I hope you can lean on your friends during this time, and wish you the best.
Posted by: Mona Johnson | April 19, 2010 at 09:20 PM