Category Archives: Alzheimer’s

Moment by Moment

Posted on July 2, 2013 by daughter3

When my mom’s close friend passed away three months ago, I debated whether or not to take her to the wake. I was exhausted, weather forecasts were terrible, and the journey would include an expensive cab ride to and from … Continue reading →

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Changes in store for my mom

Posted on June 29, 2013 by daughter3

When I was a little kid, my father used to visit his aunt Carrie in a nursing home. Every once in a while, I would go with him. I remember walking down the halls and seeing lots of old people. … Continue reading →

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My mom is growing into childhood

Posted on June 10, 2013 by daughter3

Every day, in different ways, my mom gets a little more childlike. “You’re my bestest friend and … daughter,” she says to me, the daughter part sounding more and more like an afterthought. “You’re the only one left,” she says. … Continue reading →

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My mom is having an identity crisis … sort of

Posted on May 29, 2013 by daughter3

An aide knocks on my mom’s door while we’re talking on the phone. “Come in, come in,” my mom says. The aide heads straight for her bedroom to get my mom’s nightgown. She’s there to help her get ready for … Continue reading →

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My mom was deeply insecure

Posted on May 20, 2013 by daughter3

My mom has become very sociable since she’s started losing her mind to Alzheimer’s. She never used to be. It’s as if all of the negative thoughts that kept her fearful of people and reluctant to fully engage have melted … Continue reading →

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My mom’s brain was chaotic

Posted on May 10, 2013 by daughter3

There was a time, when my mom still lived independently, when she would regale me with tales of her hallucinations (likely brought on by the Alzheimer’s drug Aricept). “Every night there are people singing Christmas carols outside my window,” she … Continue reading →

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Our relationship has never been so simple

Posted on April 3, 2013 by daughter3

“Is it true that I’m your mother?” my mom asks me. “Yes, mom.” “Is that how you see it?” “That’s how it is,” I say. “So you think of me as the mother?” she asks. “Yes, mom,” I say. “You’re … Continue reading →

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The things she’s forgotten

Posted on March 25, 2013 by daughter3

How to tell time. What she had for dinner. The house she lived in for thirty-four years, where she raised her children. The names of her grandchildren … or even that she has grandchildren. Whether it’s morning or night.                        … Continue reading →

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Writing things down

Posted on March 18, 2013 by daughter3

“Wait, I have to write that down,” my mom says, during our nightly phone conversation. “Hold on.” “Okay,” I say, trying to wait patiently while she looks for a pen. When she gets back on the phone, she can’t remember … Continue reading →

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Communicating with my mom

Posted on March 11, 2013 by daughter3

A typical nightly conversation with my mom sounds like this: “When are you coming?” she asks, eagerly. “Saturday,” I say. “Oh good,” she says, excitedly. “Are you staying overnight?” “Not this time, Mom.” “You never stay overnight.” Now she’s petulant. … Continue reading →

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