My brother in law (Cal undergrad and Boalt) was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about a year ago. The decline was rapid, although in retrospect there were many signs that I saw as concerning that others passed off as idiosyncratic behavior or heightened narcissistic behavior brought about by age. Some of the behaviors were odd. As the year progressed you could see sudden and obvious examples of further decline…..like one day you are driving, the next day you don't have a liscense, one month you can stay at home alone, the next you need adult care, few months later you are getting lost in hotels in your underwear at night and the next you are in memory care. His father was a victim as well. Sad, I mean he did everything to prepare for that possibility… including running several Iron Man events, an avid swimmer ,runner and professor and grandfather.

cal83dls79 said:

---

My brother in law (Cal undergrad and Boalt) was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about a year ago. The decline was rapid, although in retrospect there were many signs that I saw as concerning that others passed off as idiosyncratic behavior or heightened narcissistic behavior brought about by age. Some of the behaviors were odd. As the year progressed you could see sudden and obvious examples of further decline…..like one day you are driving, the next day you don't have a liscense, one month you can stay at home alone, the next you need adult care, few months later you are getting lost in hotels in your underwear at night and the next you are in memory care. His father was a victim as well. Sad, I mean he did everything to prepare for that possibility… including running several Iron Man events, an avid swimmer ,runner and professor and grandfather.

---

That's interesting.
9 months ago my mom (81) said, "where am I? How long have I lived here?"
A: home, 30 years. She was astonished.

We moved her into Assisted Living. She's doing so much better. Very happy!

But she definitely had been taking downward steps, in retrospect. Couldn't live at the house by herself anymore.

Wouldn't let the dog out for fear of it running away or getting eaten by a coyote - so the house became disgusting!

And she apparently got lost driving in her own neighborhood. My sister saw her on iPhone tracking and mom was driving all around unable to navigate to the school she had delivered my sister to long ago.

I've been expecting further big drop offs, but with the socialization and the same daily schedule of the place, I think she's gotten a bit better. Certainly quality of life has improved.

So, my question for you is… you listed lots of moments of decline, but that didn't all happen within one year, did it?

I'm expecting this is going to run 5-10 years for us.

I've got a great YouTube channel I've been watching for 4 years or so. Dan and Ed Salinger of Elk Grove. Father Ed is getting near the end. Son Dan posts daily. Initial posts were a bit comical, which is where we are at. Dad would go to the driveway and ask where his car was, he was ready to get in and drive everyone like the old days. "No, dad, you sold you car?"
"What? Why would I do that?!"
"Because you don't have a drivers license anymore."
"Huh?"

Today he consumes liquid food because swallowing is problematic, and cleaning him and toileting is a constant.

It's a great lesson for millions of viewers on caretaking. I'm learning a ton. And possibly preparing for my own future.

Each person is different, really depends on genetics and how each person reacts to various treatments. I believe he his on medication. Sudden decline is not uncommon after periods of stability and the downward slope gets real steep.

Edit: brother in law is 67.

concordtom said:

---

thanks.
this is excellent.
I never heard of this guy but he covers quite a range of things, not just Alzheimer's.

Dr. Dale Bredesen has written four major books focused on understanding, preventing, and reversing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease..

---

thanks for recommend, placed hold(s) at our treasured local public library

smh said:

---

concordtom said:

---

thanks.
this is excellent.
I never heard of this guy but he covers quite a range of things, not just Alzheimer's.

Dr. Dale Bredesen has written four major books focused on understanding, preventing, and reversing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease..

---

thanks for recommend, placed hold(s) at our treasured local public library

---

I get books on my phone via the app Libby. Audiobooks mainly.

You download the app.
Then get a membership # or card at your local library and load it into the App. You can thus digitally checkout whatever that library has.

I have gone to various libraries and obtained the following, which means the chances I can "check out" whatever I'm looking for is higher:

San Francisco library
Contra Costa County library
Sacramento county library
Placer County library
And then there's some digital library, too. So I have 5 systems. Not all require you provide proof of residency. SF wanted nothing. I think Sacramento accepted that I worked there, nothing more. Coco and Placer wanted my addresses, which I have.

I should get a DC or NYC card. They'd have additional books that west coast doesn't.

I listen to books while I work and it keeps me focused and going.

concordtom said:

---

Yes, mom is now on memantadine, or however you spell it.

---

my memantine dose allows twice a day < stupid/happy face goes here >