My Mom Fears Alzheimer's
My mom is in her early 70s and her aunt died from Alzheimer's. For the past few years she has been stressing about the fear of getting the disease because she is becoming forgetful.
I have tried to encourage her to speak with a therapist as she is newly retired coming off of decades of crazy work schedules, raising a family, and having little time for herself. She is also at a point in her life where vitality is clearly being questioned.
We discussed recently that she would start logging information from our conversations around plans so that she would have all the details, and she could ask questions. She's feeling insecure and afraid.
I want to help her but can't be her therapist. Any thoughts on how to have this conversation with my mom so as not to freak her out but to help her realize the importance of taking action now to get help to determine if what she is feeling is anxiety of being newly retired or to address her concerns and fears so they don't consumer her.
I welcome your thoughts and ideas.
Thanks Susan. Excellent insights. My mom does do crosswords, but told her she needs to do more mind games. Treat her brain like it needs exercise. Fortunately, my mom is in retirement and volunteering, mingling and indeed staying busy. She also spends a good amount of time with her grandkids.
The good news is the doctor said she is fine and there is not evidence of dementia or Alzheimer's. I keep telling her to just live and be happy and write things down so you don't forget. I am only 42 and I forget and often write things in a notebook I carry nearly every where I go.
Thanks Susan.
Appreciate your support.
December 13, 2013 - 11:52amThis Comment