End of Year Musings

Iris L. · January 1

I want to wish all the caregivers a Happy New Year. I began reading these message boards seventeen years ago this week, in 2008. I had a diagnosis of cognitive impairment not otherwise specified and I feared that I might have Alzheimer's Disease. I read every thread on the two patient boards and on the one caregiver board. It took me three months to read every thread. Wonderful caregivers responded to my first post and saved my life! I had a question about home safety and they set me straight. I will be forever grateful for and appreciative of the many wonderful and caring members who post on these boards and who look out for each other.

My neurologist removed the cognitive impairment nos diagnosis because my cognition is better than originally although I still have memory lapses.

If you are tasked with caring for a parent or grandparent or other relative, be aware that all of them will have some degree of anosognosia. So don't rely totally on their declarations that they are fine and don't need any help. Visit in person, check things out and see with your own eyes how they are faring. Ask questions from the wonderful caregivers here, and proceed. You won't find better help than from these members!

Caregiving is so difficult and dealing with dementia challenges people in ways that are not readily anticipated. Help is at hand on these pages! May you all have a good year coming up!

Iris