Alzheimers

[Shantimama]

Does the grief ever end or does it just keep transforming itself? My mom has AD, middle stages. She was never a good mom, so there is grief about that. Bit by bit she is losing her abilities and the things that made her uniquely "her." She just moved to a retirement home last week and even though she can no longer really handle having her own kitchen, it is sad to see her have her meals prepared for her, struggling to figure out how to open her mini-fridge, getting confused about minor things.

This could go on for years. How do you keep some balance with an ongoing grief like this?

[aolinsmama]

My great grandmother in in the last stages of Alzheimers, in an Alzheimers treatment facility. she was the one that taught me about organic gardening, when i was a child...we went out in the garden every day (i lived next door) to do garden chores, etc. it is so very hard to see her like this, when she was always so strong, and so smart. she is now very frail & is at the point she doesn't recognize anyone, she talks about her "babies" a lot (my grandmother bought her a live-looking doll) she was a registered nurse for many years. i am sorry the only thing i can think of is an Alzheimer's support group, my family has had help through that. one thing that has helped for me at least, is to be with them the way they are now, in the moment (i hope that makes sense) she doesn't know me, but will talk about her life, and i listen, to some wonderful stories. when i visit i am able to keep my spirits up but when i am away it is really hard.
(((hugs))) to you,
sanQ