Gillion.

[end_fate]

I met a man with Alzheimer's today. I was really nice to him when I was ringing up his items. I came across two olive oil bottles of differing sizes while the man told me something about just checking the price of one and ringing up the other. I made a mistake and rang up both, and he paid for both of them. He came back a half hour later and kindly

Comments

[vjnightshade]

It's a good thing you met this guy in the earlier stages of Alzheimer's. My aunt's mother is in the late stages of it and it's as if she was reduced back to infancy. I can't bare to look at her.

[end_fate]

I've never met anyone with Alzheimer's before. Is it really that bad?

[vjnightshade]

Early on it's not so bad, but later on... I can't even look at my Aunt's mom. I just hits me way too hard.

[rivercitytecmo]

if you enjoyed this, i recommend visiting a rest home. one of my friends (who just happens to be the nicest person i've ever met) does so because she, like you, takes immense interest and pleasure in hearing the stories of old people. most of the time, she'll simply ask their age and then genuinely ask the question, "wow! that's such a long time. what have you done with your life?"

and yeah, alzheimer's is that bad. my friend's grandmother had it for a long time. even in the early stages she'd speak to people on tv as if they were real, she'd forget who her grandchildren were, and once or twice, she ran out into the cold in her pajamas, not knowing why.

[end_fate]

I used to hang around older folks when I was younger because my mom was a nurse at a home. Since then I've had experienced incredible empathy with the elderly. I was thinking of doing some volunteer work for blind veterans or something. I prefer helping older people because not enough people care.

I really didn't know that it was that bad. Do severe cases require round-the-clock supervision?

[rivercitytecmo]

it's hard to say. alzheimer's is extremely unpredictable in both its causes and effects. it's impossible to predict what specific things it will do o when it will do them. it's impossible to predict how fast it progresses or how fast it will overcome the victim. one of the few things known about alzheimer's is that we know so little about it. we have an idea of some of the things we can do to prevent it (as far as diet and intellectual stimulation are concerned), but no real idea on how to prevent it or even slow it down.

that said, it's safe to assume that severe cases do require an almost round-the-clock type of care.

[rivercitytecmo]

instead of "prevent it", that should say "cure it".

[komissarsteve]

It sounds like he wanted someone to hear his story before it was lost to the world.

[end_fate]

I'm glad it was me. I'm really sensitive about these things.

[komissarsteve]

It's good that you are. My grandpa is losing his memory as well; I did an independent study on him and his early life under Stalin, his early adulthood in the Red Army and the Nazi Death Camps, and his late 20's working for the CIA.

My grandpa was the fucking MAN. :-*

[end_fate]

Holy crap!

[linko_16]

Alzheimer's took my Granda. That guy had to be in the very early stages. Hell, before he was suddenly being put in a home, I was even aware there was anything wrong with Granda. He was just the same forgetful, loveable guy he always was to me. Eventually, though, "reduced to infancy" would have to be the perfect phrase to state how he acted. He looked around with wide eyes like he was seeing it all for the first time and lacked the mental capacity to form words. It's a little chilling to see that happen.

You did a good thing. Granda was surrounded by his loving family all the way to his death. I take it this guy doesn't always have that. Pretty young thing like you, probably put a real spring in his step.

[end_fate]

I'm sorry about your grandfather. I can feel with loss. I really didn't know it was that bad.