Hi folks. My mom who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a couple of years may be moving in with my wife and in the near future.
As of right now she is still able to be pretty independent - she lives on her own, makes food for herself, keeps herself entertained, does her laundry, etc…
For others who have had a parent or loved one move in, what are some steps you took before they arrived, things you regret doing?
Any advice or considerations would be greatly appreciated!

A while back I mentioned I was putting my mom in Memory Care and today was that day. It was an appropriately gloomy, rainy morning when we took her. I framed it as a rehab stay to help her get walking again. She was not happy about it but it went much smoother than I thought. It was so hard to leave and I still feel awful about the whole thing.

Now I'm worried they are not watching her closely and she's going to fall etc. Trying to keep my head but I can't help but worry. I've thought about going to visit tonight and take her some more of her things but I'm not sure if that's a good idea or if I should just leave her alone for tonight and visit tomorrow.

Ugh, this whole thing sucks.

"The 2025 research, which received plenty of press attention, is the latest of multiple observational studies suggesting that late-in-life chronic diseases like dementia may be triggered by viruses that linger and lie dormant in our bodies—and perhaps in the nervous system in particular.

It’s not only the shingles vaccine. Routine adult vaccinations for RSV, diphtheria, tetanus, and other infections seem to have some link to lower dementia risk as well, based on observational studies (2, 3). These results are leading researchers to explore how infections that lead to chronic inflammation—including brain inflammation—may be the roots of dementia later in life.

Thus far, the data do not establish a cause–effect relationship: Infections do not cause dementia, and the shingles vaccine does not prevent it. But these studies are allowing researchers to see dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through a different lens. Eschewing a purely brain-centric view, the work has led researchers to examine how inflammation and immunity in the body as a whole can influence the brain over time. Such revelations could also lead to a clearer picture of how infections and immunity shape lifelong health. “It was a very niche area a few decades ago,” Geldsetzer says. “Now it’s really come to the forefront because of our increasing realization of the chronic consequences of infectious disease.”

My pTau217 fell below threshold. That's good but doesn't mean it's low or that I don't have a lot of amyloid. What is a good trial I could join? Thoughts?

This gentleman loves to go outside and pull the grass and his family claims he used to love building things and doing yard work. However he doesn’t want my company and almost always will reject any activity I plan to pull out the grass from outside. Please believe me when I say I’ve planned so many activities however this man just really likes to pull out the grass. I’m especially worried because it’s getting colder so i need ideas on how to keep him inside and warm. Please help!!!

We recently moved and are not registered to vote by mail. When we go to vote in person, will I be allowed to stay with my mother and help her vote? I will probably have to physically mark her ballot.

Is there a blood test or DNA test to see if you are likely to have Alz? Has anyone taken the test? Do you recommend it ?

I believe electronic and technology radiation from modern day society is the root cause of the Alzheimer's Disease.

I believe electronic and technology radiation causes our neurons to be overstimulated, which is what causes them to produce the amyloid plaque byproduct.

I believe the solution is to make sure we have enough fats in our body for our neuron's to utilize to have a sound, structural cell wall(these cell walls are partially composed of fats/lipids). Having a sound, structural neuronal cell wall serves as a reflector of the electronic and technological radiation. Think how thick, viscous compounds don't let sound through, but rather absorb and reflect it.

Think about it. Go into a room with the lights on, computer running, etc.. Then go outdoors in nature early in the morning when there's minimal interference from cars, or other human made technological sounds. When you're out in nature the stimuli that reaches your ears are more relaxed vibrations, as opposed to being in a room with lots of technology and electronics, whereas you'll feel a more heavy stimuli sensation on your ears.

EDIT- To the people saying this is an old disease, Alzheimer's first case was 1906. The first electronic technology was created in 1835. The electronic created at that date was known as 'The relay' by Joseph Henry.

EDIT 2- My theory also holds that electronic radiation from electronic light over time can lead to the irritation of the neurons. The first electronic light was created in 1802 by Humphry Dave. Think about it. Electronic light and the first electronics come out in the early 1800's and develops rapidly. By 1906 you have your first Alzheimer's case.

EDIT 3- The electronic sound radiation appears to be directed at neurons because this stimuli type is only picked up by our nervous tissue. Our other cell types don't perceive these negative stimuli, so they aren't affected in the sense that they won't product a cause and effect byproduct. The fact that neurons are the only cell to illicit a response to these electronic sound radiation is why they're the only cells with a byproduct, specifically the amyloid plaque.

EDIT 4- When you're indoors in a room full of technology and lights, compared to being outdoors in nature at 5am when no human created sound can be heard, don't you feel more irritated when you're indoors? I believe this is because the electronic radiation is affecting our nerve cells in an irritating manner, which is what gives us that slight sensation of emotional irritation from those 2 settings. Think about it. The radiation affects our nerve cells and emotions stem from our nerve cells. We're perceiving the sensation of annoyance because our nerve cells are getting annoyed from an outside stimuli. Just go in a room with lights running, computer running, etc. and try to feel in tune with your ears.

EDIT 5- I believe the sound radiation from electronics irritate our neurons, which illicit the emotional response of annoyance. I believe we don't react to this annoyance because we're so used to hearing this sound radiation from electronics because we're always next to a computer with the lights on, that we just don't perceive the sensation to be annoying anymore since that's our normal. When you focus on your ears and really think about what you're hearing is when those minute sounds start becoming irritating because you're thinking, thus perceiving, all those sound disturbances.

I lost my dad very recently and his whole journey with alzheimers took a lot of my young adulthood away from me. I spent a lot of time caregiving for him and felt really restricted. Even now that he is gone and Im 24 Im still having a hard time appreciating my youth and freeing myself from the weight of his loss.

I have a partner who is 7 years older than me. Hes very fit, works out a lot, but he has been a chronic smoker for over a decade. When we met he was smoking cigs and I told him I wouldnt be with him if he was doing that, so he quit and just stuck to vaping. He has quit vaping at my behest but has replaced it with the nicorette sticks which is like vaping with a lower concentration of nicotine. He also uses zyns very frequently. He is a very sweet person, supportive, takes care of me, and I love him.

Idk if Im just still reeling from everything that happened with my dad but I am terrified he will get cancer and I will end up having to caregive for him until I lose him too. I feel like such an awful person for even writing that out. That sounds so selfish. He knows I dont like that he uses nicotine but I dont know if he will ever stop. He says he could but I dont think he has the willpower honestly. He always tells me how much he misses vaping and he wishes he could start again, which makes me feel guilty.

Anyway, I know Im blowing this out of proportion and that I dont have anything to worry about in the imminent future but idk how to move on. I know freak accidents could happen to anyone regardless, but I am so paranoid of being trapped as somebody's caregiver again. How can I get over this?

I’ve been the primary caregiver for my grandpa for over a month. I’m the most empathetic person in my family, and for that reason redirecting and speaking to him has been 1 billion times easier for me and him than the rest of my family.

But Friday my grandma came home from the nursing home/rehab (home health care comes 2x a day. He went from having a schedule seeing her in the nursing home 2x a day to having people in the home all day. Lonely to overwhelmed.

I noticed small changes like him sitting his chair holding himself like a hug.

Coming home from a dr appointment, I’m the only one allowed to bring my grandma up the wheelchair ramp. He was MAD. Tried to take her up, pushed me, grabbed the sides of my face and pushed which led to him grabbing my neck in a choke and pushing. I was able to move backwards out of it but he did leave marks on my neck and arm. I ended up getting her up the ramp and into bed and left (I live next door) my aunt came and settled everyone down.

My entire family is distraught. He can’t understand why he would do that, doesn’t remember doing it, called me a liar to my uncle and mom because why would he EVER put his hands on a woman, especially his grand daughter.

When I came back he told me my uncle told him what happened. I said yes that did happen. He said “but why would I do that?” My grandma said “because you tried to push me up the ramp and almost dropped me!” My grandma begged him to apologize to me, I looked at him and said he didn’t need to because he doesn’t remember and that’s ok. I wasn’t mad. But his response was “everyone else is” he just hugged me, and asked what the next thing he needed to do was. And then thanked me for everything I do.

What are the steps I need to take when something like this happens? Cops/ambulance? We don’t believe he’s ready for memory care, so.. adult day care? He pushed my aunt 1 time 2 years ago. Only other aggressive time in his life-all Alzheimer’s related. We called his Neuro and family dr to let them know what happened and got appointments with both to maybe get a new mood stabilization med.

I’m 39 and my Dad is 83. I’m a part time caregiver and my mom is full time. I’m not partnered and no kids. All of my friends are partnered with kids and I appreciate that they reach out sometimes but I’m wanting more support from people in a similar situation to me.

The support groups from the Alzheimer’s organization are lovely but a lot of them are people caring for their partners. I feel for them and it’s nice to have their support but I don’t relate to the boomer generation as much as I do as millennials or GenX.

Are any of you out there? Where are you? Can we chat? Thanks ❤️

My mom entered hospice on July 3rd at her doctor's recommendation that we cease diagnostic care and focus on comfort since her Alzheimer's has progressed so much. It's all being done at home and we have been taking care of her at home since this all began. She was initially diagnosed with borderline mild dementia on March 15, 2023 and after what can only be described as a precipitous decline, we learned in or around June of 2025 that she actually has Alzheimer's.

Last Friday the hospice nurse said she is beginning to show signs of decline. Before that, we noticed she was sleeping quite a bit and at times could be difficult to wake. She is still eating and drinking when she's alert. Oddly, when I am home she is generally more awake than when I'm not. I live about 4 hrs away and visit my sister's home where she lives on a pretty regular schedule although I have been stepping up my visits even more for months. The latest news is family should try and see her in the next 4-6 weeks and if she lives through Christmas we should consider it a blessing.

I have watched this vibrant amazing woman who has literally been my best friend for all of my life reduced to a shadow of her former self and go through so much pain and anguish because she lost all of her mobility in April of last year. I now know that the muscular dystrophy diagnosis she received, which I only learned about at that first neurology appointment to understand what was happening to her cognitively, has also been contributing to the issues she is experiencing adding yet another layer of neurological disease to her profile. So my logical brain knows this has been a lot of suffering for her, as it has been for us her children, and I want to see her freed from it and pray that if there is an afterlife this pain is wiped away from her memory. But my heart is struggling and anxious. I literally don't know what to do with this information and I feel stuck because of it. It's as if I'm experiencing every emotion at once and it's paralyzing.

If anyone has been here, I would appreciate some advice because I am truly struggling to process this and to accept it. I find myself asking did hospice do enough? Are they just giving up on her? What other interventions haven't they tried? Suffice to say there is some anger as well. And I don't think the answer to any of my questions is yes, but I feel like she deserves so much more than this ending and I am helpless to do anything about it.

Anyone have any experience with this sort of testing and who does it?
I want to avoid any process that can be seen by anyone but myself. Totally private.
My mother has early onset and I need to know if I do as well.
Thank you in advance.

My mom passed about 12 years ago. I was her caregiver until the end. I was also doing it alone, (neither of my brothers helped), and was trying to raise a son on my own. Now that I’m married, my MIL has developed LBD. I love my in-laws, but I’m not up for another round of caregiving. I have medical issues, but it also gives me a bit of PTSD. Am I awful for feeling this way?

My mom has been formally diagnosed this year but has really declined in the past 5 months. I don’t live in the same country but even so for the past 4.5 years, we speak every day and I visit and she visits me. I’m really involved in her care and planning but I’m not physically there all the time like my brother is because he lives nearby. I feel guilty because her mood is way better when I’m with her (she’s usually laughing and doesn’t really have anxiety). I think this is because throughout most of my life, she has felt very comfortable emotionally depending on me and she told the psychologist that she feels the most secure with me. I feel guilty because it’s clear I have a positive impact on her well-being but I also don’t know if I would be sacrificing my own well-being if I moved back to Canada and lived with my mom. It breaks my heart that she is going through this but I also don’t want this disease to stop me from living my own life. Im 32 and don’t feel anywhere settled yet (career not sorted, not in a relationship). I don’t know what to do, it seems like I have to make a choice between my mom and my own life. I don’t want to be bitter and resentful. Does anyone have any advice who is further along in the process?

My brother was diagnosed 6 months ago. He lives alone and is what I describe as the Swiss cheese stage. Mostly there but lots of holes in his abilities. I am his POA but I live 2000 miles away. His ex-wife has manipulated over $1M out of him. There is currently a criminal investigation going on. His daughter by this evil woman is no longer talking to her dad, because she believes her mom’s lies. I feel I really need to take over all his finances and that he needs to move to be near his son. (Different mom) He absolutely does not want to do either. After speaking with a lawyer, I think he is too “good” to get legal guardianship.
How do you get your loved one to do what is needed when they are refusing, especially when they don’t recognize their own limitations?

I have to withdraw my previous favourable remarks about Donepezil. Intolerable side effects not mentioned anywhere in accompanying leaflet - after a few days of 10 mg dosage, intolerable heartburn plus horrible, hacking cough. I’ve had to cease taking it immediately. I have now discovered by enquiry that these adverse side effects are known. Why is this not mentioned in the med’s accompanying information/warnings?

A really great day, evening, and night. When she is happy, I am happy. Saturday my oldest daughter drove from an adjacent state, three hours one way and picked my wife and I up and drove back to her home. I wanted all four of our children to be able to spend some time with their mother before she can no longer recognize, remember them, etc. Half way up, my wife started getting agitated. But after a rest stop at Cheddars, lunch, a cigarette, and a beer she was no longer agitated and the rest of the trip continued without incident. Once there, she was a bit confused and agitated. Saturday night was interesting. Sunday and Sunday night were also “interesting”. Sunday night she slipped out of bed without waking me. I woke when I heard her trying to find a woman in our room to take to the bathroom. There was no woman. I tried to explain that she was only dreaming and that it was her that needed to pee. She argued that I didn’t even look for the woman. From Saturday evening after arriving until Monday morning she pretty much stayed combative, disoriented, and very verbal with no filters. But my daughter and son-in-law were very understanding and helpful, even with a three year old daughter. Monday morning started out pretty good. I was able to give her a shower and she felt so much better afterwards. Last night was incredible. She woke to go pee three different times during the night and was able to walk to the bathroom on her own and sit down unassisted. I was with her of course and ready to assist if needed. My help wasn’t needed. The fourth time it was five o’clock and I decided to just stay up. So Monday was a super great day and she felt so much better than I have seen for quite some time. Our three year old granddaughter was so entertaining. She doesn’t know us yet but warmed up almost immediately. This trip was worth it.

{I’m a 25 year old female, and my dad is a 66.}

At this point I’m not even phased anymore, but my dad screamed at me multiple times to shut up because I was trying to explain to him that the key he wanted to take wasn’t for the door he thought it was for. I’m thankful that I don’t feel sad over the encounter because that’s the absolute worst feeling, but I’m pretty pissed off. Once I proved to him that I was, in fact, correct, he stopped bothering me. It’s crazy that his Alzheimer’s has made him act this way. Before his mental decline, he would’ve never told me to shut up, or really ever yelled at me. But I guess this is my new normal.

Hey all,

My wife's dad has rapidly progressing Alzheimers. She mentioned that art and poetry from others who've gone through the experience might help her process the grief. So, I'm reaching out here to see if any of you have been touched by pieces of art, poetry, or stories about losing someone gradually, caretaking, etc. (These can be pieces you've done yourself of course too—if you feel comfortable sharing.)

Much love and strength to each of you,

🩷