My Mom Has Stage 5 Alzheimer's, And Is Always Looking For Her Children. Would a Doll Be Helpful?

As with all questions related to Alzheimer's - especially at an advanced stage - what works for one patient may not work for another.

It's worth a try, though.

All of us - Alzheimer's patients included - have the basic human need to nurture. Sometimes the patient believes the doll is a real baby, and she may carry it around with her to make sure it's cared for. And this can often be beneficial.

But there are no guarantees. I can recall a woman at an adult day care center who was constantly agitated. She had been a nurturing person, volunteering at hospitals her entire life In order to calm her down, the staff decided to give her a doll. At first, the tactic worked.

However, after a few hours, she began to worry about the "baby" needing to be fed. She then became agitated about it. In order to calm her down, the staff took the doll and said they were babysitting it. Once the doll was gone, the woman began to calm down. A few months later, the staff gave her the doll again. And this time, she was fine.

So you can have different results at different times...with the same person!

Your mother needs reassurance, and validation. Often, when Alzheimer's patients ask about their children, they're actually seeing their children as children. So tell her that her children are safe, secure, and doing well. Also, you need to be constantly aware of the need to re-direct her attention elsewhere, if necessary.

If you're an Alzheimer's caregiver, you know it's a 24/7 job. And perhaps the most stressful, lonely job in the world. But we can help.

At The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we're Elder Law attorneys. For one thing, we've got one of the largest Alzheimer's/dementia resource centers in South Florida. For another, over the past 33 years, we've walked thousands of South Florida families through the Alzheimer's Journey. And we've helped them prepare in advance for it, as well, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset protection plans, and assistance with the VA and Medicaid.

We can walk you through the journey, too. And we're just a phone call away.

What Kinds of Support Are Available For Someone With Alzheimer's?

Yes, fortunately, support is available for an Alzheimer's patient.

After your loved one is diagnosed, one of your first stops should be a website calledwww.alzhope.com. It's a loving community of families in similar situations. And it will reassure you that you're not alone...and will give you the chance to vent, to listen, and to post questions. They'll wrap their arms around you and welcome you like an old friend.

Your second stop on the support-trail may be the Alzheimer's Association, at www.alz.org. Here you'll find a list of the programs offered...including one for the patient. And you'll also find a link to your local association, and resources close to home.

You may want to check out your local association's early-stage support group. These groups are designed to meet the needs of the patient. Your loved one will have the opportunity to participate in group discussions with other newly-diagnosed patients, led by a skilled facilitator who'll address all the issues - medical, financial, emotional, and family - that need to be addressed.

Your loved one will laugh, cry, talk, and work on common problems with the other patients. These groups usually meet every month. And while your loved one is meeting with others in the same situation, so will you - family members have their own meeting in a separate area.

Of course, there are also avenues of individual support...such as counseling, clergy members, or home health agencies.

Two helpful contacts:

Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center (ADEAR)

800-438-4380

www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Disease Information

800-222-2225

www.nia.nih.gov

And there's another organization that can help, as well - The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates.

For one thing, we have one of the largest Alzheimer's Resource Centers in South Florida. For a second, we're Elder Law attorneys. For a third, over the past 33 years, we've walked thousands of South Florida families through the Alzheimer's Journey. And for a fourth, we've also helped these families prepare in advance for a possible Alzheimer's/dementia journey, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset protection plans, and assistance with the VA or Medicaid.

We can walk your family through the Alzheimer's Journey. And we're just a phone call away.