: What if the person who has Alzheimer's disease doesn't remember who I am?

I recently posting an article about Living Alzheimer's from the Front Row. This refers to the millions of Alzheimer's caregivers that deal with Alzheimer's 24/7.

My point is simple, unless you live it you really cannot imagine what it is like.

Knowing that the day is coming when they --won't know you-- is the most horrific feeling of them all.

I just finished reading an article at CNN.com that discusses two issues: how Alzheimer's can present during the holiday season; and, what to do when they don't know you anymore. This is an interesting, helpful, thought provoking article.

Holiday reunions can be a time to check the well-being of older relatives

It's normal to feel sad, abandoned when a person forgets memories, loved ones

Remind person with memory issues who you are, rather than quizzing him or her

Engage the person in conversation and speak slowly

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: It is Difficult to Catch the Early Signs of Alzheimer's

Looking back, there is little doubt in my mind I should have realized my mother was suffering from dementia sooner. Sadly, I didn't have the proper education, information, or frame of reference. Most people tend to ignore the early symptoms of the disease believing they are simply signs of 'old age'. Anyone who ends up in my shoes knows and understands that a person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s can function normally--even drive a car. Only when they deteriorate or some 'event' takes place do we wake up to reality.

Alzheimer's Reading Room: It is Difficult to Catch the Early Signs of Alzheimer's

Can Vitamin B3 Reduce Memory Problems (Nicotinamide)

Researchers are reporting that huge doses of Nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) appear to eliminate memory problems in mice with the rodent equivalent of Alzheimer's disease. This information is being reported in The Journal of Neuroscience.

This science gets my attention because Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin sold over the counter in health food stores.

While it is impossible for me to know how and why, a combination of exercise, Aricept, vitamin B, multiple vitamins, vitamin supplements, a healthy diet, cocoa flavanols, bright light, and a heavy emphasis on socialization has slowed the progression of Alzheimer's in my mother. We will be adding Nicotinamide to this regimen shortly.
The nicotinamide, in fact, slightly enhanced cognitive abilities in normal mice. 'This suggests that not only is it good for Alzheimer's disease, but if normal people take it, some aspects of their memory might improve,' Frank LaFerla, UC Irvine neurobiology and behavior professor.

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Alzheimer's Reading Room: Blog to Cope With Alzheimer's

Seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, with mild to moderate memory loss, are writing Weblogs to help them make sense of their daily lives. And the activity, they say, is slowing the onset of their symptoms.

'Many people, once they're diagnosed with AD, simply give up on life,' said Alice Young, a 75-year-old former psychotherapist who divides her time each year between Florida and Minnesota. 'And those are the people who go down more quickly.'

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Safety Study of Nicotinamide to Treat Alzheimer's Disease

In my previous post I wrote about how Nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) might improve memory. See: Can Vitamin B3 Reduce Memory Problems (Nicotinamide).

Now I want to inform you about an exciting clinical trial being conducted by UC Irvine scientists. The purpose of the clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness and safety of Nicotinamide as a treatment for individuals  with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease."

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The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems