In stage 3, planning, organizing, and even a name or word retrieval become increasingly difficult; challenges abound in social settings. Behavioral changes and disruptions to daily routines are harder to blame on age. Diagnosis is common in this stage. For Judy: In early 2013, her memory issues became so serious I convinced her to get…

On April 18th, 2005, Judy and I moved into our retirement home in Regency at Dominion Valley in Northern Virginia and in September of that same year, I retired and started playing golf. During the ensuing years, Judy experienced multiple memory issues. First, it was her purse; we’d be ready to go out, and she…

In stage 2, memory lapses, like forgetting someone’s name or where one left one’s purse are common and more frequent. Forgetfulness often looks like a normal age-related issue. The spouse of the person will notice this forgetful phenomenon first. At stage 2, more serious memory issues can become symptoms of Alzheimer’s, although not usually viewed…

Research experts tell us for the medications recently approved by the FDA to be effective in slowing the degenerative effects of Alzheimer’s or in curing the disease, they must be started in this earliest stage. Thus, early recognition of minor indicators of behavioral changes leading to a timely diagnosis and prompt treatment will be critical…

Pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease begins when early indicators first appear 10 to 15 years before symptoms become noticeable that typically lead to a diagnosis. Close relatives, friends, and even medical professionals usually miss or misinterpret these early indicators. Future medications to prevent Alzheimer’s or slow its progression will be most effective in this first stage. Researchers…

The Formation of the Emotional Bond that Survived Alzheimer’s Judy and I met again in January 1962 as I began my final semester at Loyola University in New Orleans. I had just completed my last overtime shift at the Public Health Service Hospital over Christmas break pulling medical records for the next day’s appointments. My…

Why this blog? This blog is for caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s. It offers a view of what it is like to travel this journey alone with your spouse or another loved one. I hope it helps to see and understand what lies ahead and how to prepare for it, if only in…