Meet up Events

Kelly Fritz

Hello.  My mom (68) has recently been diagnosed with AD but we have seen symptoms for years but she had a terrible neurologist (Very long story) the past 3 years but now has a great doctor.  My father (71) is the care giver and he is running himself ragged to take care of mom.  She is to the point of having panic attacks and becoming increasingly more aggressive.  I would like to try and get them to go to a meet-up and meet other people in their shoes.  They were/are very private people and would rather hide from the world about this disease so it might be very hard.  

Question: do you think being around other AZ families would help?

Also, we are trying to find something to keep her busy.     

SusanB-dil

Hi Kelly F - welcome to 'here'...

Does the neurologist know about the panic attacks and increased aggression?  Need to tell the doc as soon as possible, as there are medications that can mitigate a lot of that.

Not sure meet-up groups would help your mom at all, but some respite would help your dad.  

To keep her busy - are there any adult care-centers near you for through the day?  Do check out some of the topic threads here for other ideas.  Would she like coloring, or stacking beads on a bracelet for charity, maybe?  A lot would depend on her capability and what interest she may have in anything.

LicketyGlitz

I second the adult day center option! We had several we utilized, one through our local community center 1 afternoon a week, another 5 days a week from 10 - 4.

Check your local art museum for potential programs specifically for dementia folks and their caregivers. Our museum did a program with the local Alzheimer's association where we got to tour the museum and then make art afterwards. It was a once a week for four weeks on Mondays when the museum was closed.

Also, if you haven't already contacted Alzheimer's Association there may be other programs offered in your area, plus support groups. They often do dementia choirs, and may even know of support groups for your mom, people living with dementia.

Our local paper was a good resource for us to check for free, or inexpensive community events such as music in the parks, children's theatre performances (my mom was as engaged by the crowd as the plays!). Local radio programs may also host in-house performances.

My father was incredibly resistant to a support group for the first three years of Mom's diagnosis. When my sister was finally able to convince him to go while she took Mom he was so relieved to find a place to talk. I don't know if that story might help your dad try one out, but for him it became a vital place to hear and be heard.

Good luck to you and your family!