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I think you are right. You and others on this list have very good insight:>) Thank you! I didn't enjoy the CARE list, I guess because I heard more negative than positive. I don't want to upset anyone and will respectfully refrain from discussing this matter on this listserv. Kindest regards, Patti -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary Ann Ryan Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 8:51 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: need help with dementia diagnosis - Alan & Patti Zapf Texas It has been suggested that this discussion continue on the CARE list. Many PWP might find this conversation upsetting. Tell me what you think. ---------- Mary Ann www.bentwillowfarm.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "PATTI ZAPF" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 6:34 AM Subject: Re: need help with dementia diagnosis - Alan & Patti Zapf Texas > Thank you Mary Ann for your helpful input below. > Were you able to care for Jamie yourself? > Did you have help come in? > Would you share specifics about the toileting program? > > I am working full-time these days and gone mostly during the day. I > just started this position last November. We need the money and my > position has brought me much joy and satisfaction. > > We have home health care come in 5 days a week and they stay an hour > and provide physical therapy(2 days) or help him shower and dress(3 > days). He also gets meals on wheels for lunch during the work week. > All the helpers always check on him and if he doesn't answer the door, > they call me and let me know. > > I'm not sure how much longer he will qualify for home health care. > The guidelines say he must show signs of improvement to continue in > each 60 day benefit period. He has had home health care the last > eight months. Our 21 year old son lives at home and home offices his > insurance business, so his dad is often not alone too much during the > day. I found a young lady yesterday that is a delight and lives a > mile away and will maybe(hopefully) be around for a while. She came > over yesterday for a few hours and will come again today. > > Thanks again for sharing your thoughts... > Patti cg > > On Mar 18, 2010, at 7:30 AM, Mary Ann Ryan wrote: > >> Alzheimer's dementia is unremitting. Once it starts the person >> never reverses. In PD the dementia gets worse and then gets better, >> gets worse - then better. In my husband's case, it didn't >> completely overtake him, although he never completely returned to >> normal. We could still talk about what happened yesterday or last >> week - in snatches. >> >> Ultimately, it seems that death occurs in similar fashion in both >> diseases. My husband slept most of the day during his last months, >> totally lost his appetite and merely slipped away. He never lost >> his ability to swallow - although that is a common problem in end- >> stage PD, as it is in Alzheimer's. >> >> Incidentally, with a proper toileting program my husband was >> continent to the very end. >> ------ >> Mary Ann >> www.bentwillowfarm.org >> >>> Hello Mary Ann >>> >>> What's the difference in symptoms btw PD dementia and Alzheimer's >>> dementia? >>> Thanks >>> >>>> Patti, Aricept has mixed results - some people do well on it while >>>> others >>> don't notice a difference. Our neuro refused to prescribe any >>> dementia >>> drugs for Jamie because he claimed that they cause even more balance >>> issues - so I have no personal experience with that group of meds. >>> >>> Please keep in mind that depression is very common in PD - probably >>> because >>> there are a host of neurotransmitters involved in the disease. It >>> isn't >>> surprising that depression may result as a consequence. Please >>> keep in mind >>> >>> that PD dementia is a lot different than Alzheimer's dementia. >>> Even at the >>> end of his life and despite severe dementia, Jamie still remembered >>> who we >>> were, where he was and what was going on in the world. >>> >>> Just continue to stimulate your husband's brain with puzzles, books >>> and >>> games. Social interaction is also very beneficial. >>> -------- >>> God bless >>> Mary Ann (CG Jamie 68/28 with PD, died 11/20/07) >>> www.bentwillowfarm.org >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>> mailto:[log in to unmask] >>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>> mailto:[log in to unmask] >>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >> >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 9.0.791 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2753 - Release Date: >> 03/17/10 15:33:00 >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] >> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- No virus found in this incoming message. 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