I have a friend who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease

Of late he has been spiralling downwards.
I rang just now to invite him out for coffee tomorrow.
He replied - "Do you know my address, do you know what number my place is"?
I replied "Yes, I know where you live"
He replied "How? I have never seen you here before"
I visit regularly; this is a marked deterioration of his condition. 🙁

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joe438 · 61-69, M

You’re a good friend to visit with him, but be prepared to likely introduce yourself every time you go over. I’ve had family members get this and they don’t make new memories at all.

Just be kind. It will make them feel better if they pick what you do- play cards, watch the birds, whatever. For safety purposes, see that the stove is disconnected because it’s common for someone to put a pot on to boil and then forget. Thermostats can be the kind with range limits as you might have for a rental property. Little things like this can keep them safe.

It is sad, but remember that besides the frustration they feel, they aren’t in pain from this. Both my mom and dad had it, and we think now that my grandfather did too but it was diagnosed back then.

TravisTx · M

Sorry about your friend. I know it’s hard. My mother passed with Alzheimer’s and I have an older sister and younger brother both diagnosed with it. Took my brother and his wife out to eat last night. He’ll ask where the restroom is and can’t find his way back to the table on his own, each time he goes. He also cannot keep up with a conversation at all. It’s such a sad disease.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

The only thing I can suggest is to visit more often. Alzheimer's affects different types of memory. Mostly it's the short term memory. So repeated visits might make it into long term memory. Longer than a day is short term.

Unfortunately it can be both long term and short term. There's not much can be done with that.

A AI confirmation as well as a tip...

You're absolutely right that sleep plays a crucial role in memory processing.

During sleep, especially in the stages of deep sleep and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the brain consolidates memories, transferring information from short-term to long-term storage.

In people with Alzheimer's, this sleep-memory relationship can be further complicated.

Disrupted sleep patterns are common in those with the disease, which may hinder effective memory consolidation, making it difficult for them to retain information even for a day.

So, while a day can indeed be seen as a threshold where short-term memory starts shifting toward long-term memory, the quality of sleep and overall cognitive function are vital factors that impact this process, especially in individuals with Alzheimer’s

meggie · F

A former colleague got diagnosed with it. She was only 60 and about to retire and spend time with the grandkids, travel etc. Sadly within 2 months she knows nobody

Gusman · 61-69, M

@meggie It is sad. Such a rapid deterioration leaves friends floundering.
I will not desert him. He has been a good friend for quite a few years.

Rickichickie · 61-69, F

Very sad to see a friends leave like that but I‘m sure he‘ll be happy to see you, even if he can‘t remember you. Company is always great, well, for most if us.

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

Such a cruel disease.
Not just the memories it steals but the fear it leaves in it's place.

Gusman · 61-69, M

@Picklebobble2 It is cruel.
We were talking one day about 12 months ago and he became very distressed because everything I was saying he could not remember and cried for more that 30 minutes.
I just held his hand until he came out of the distress.

Ghostinthemachine · M

I’m sorry.
Must be heartbreaking

Monalisasmith86 · 41-45, F

Do you even know him

Gusman · 61-69, M

@Monalisasmith86 I have known him for 15 years.

Monalisasmith86 · 41-45, F

@Gusman since. 2010?

Gusman · 61-69, M

@Monalisasmith86 Yes, at least 2010. We worked at the same place for a decade before he retired. He lives 10 kms away in Duncraig we have kept in touch.

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