Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia (Long)

April 11, 2006

Very soon, my DD and I will be moving in with my

grandfather (86) who has been diagnosed with

Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. He is currently

taking several different medications, Aricept for the

AD, Celexa (sp?), and something else--to do what I

consider sedation. He also takes aspirin for his

heart issues (quadruple bypass 12 years ago).

For the past two years, my aunt and her family have

taken over the run of his house, and anytime he shows

any independent thinking, they up his dose of the

sedative drugs. My aunt is moving to Florida and when

she leaves I will take over as his caregiver.

I am very much into the natural way of healing without

resorting to allopathic medicine, and I would like to

implement some of this healing in my grandfather's

daily life. I am not sure how to do this, though.

Grandpa is a very stubborn man, so I don't think that

there is any way I could get him to do a cleanse of

any kind. He suffers from constipation, and I know

how to sneak ground up flax seeds and acidophilus into

his food to help his gut. What I don't know is if

there is anything else I could do to help all of his

conditions *that can be done on the sly*.

I would like to see him wean from the sedative

medicines into something herbal, but not sure what

that would be. I would like to try to stall (or

reverse) his Alzheimer's/dementia, but don't know what

tools to use. I am not entirely convinced he has

Alzheimer's, I do believe he has some senility,

though.

I went for a walk today and stopped by his house with

DD to see him. He was asleep. His caregiver told me

he had been sleeping since 12:30pm and it was 3:30pm.

Now, seriously, would a three hour nap (he slept

longer than that, though) after only being awake for

three hours be necessary if he was not being sedated

all the time? I don't think this is right, and I want

him to live the rest of his years awake! I also

believe that the " episodes " he has had in the past are

due to his medications, as all of them cause

depression, bowel issues, psychotic tendencies,

paranoia, etc.

Any thoughts? I would greatly appreciate them!

Samantha

April 11, 2006

Jeeeez!!! Sure sounds like they want to keep him sedated! Fantastic that

you're going to help him now!

Sorry I cannot help you with any remedies: I heard Doc is interested in

researching this but hasn't in the past. Perhaps you can contact him

off-list and see if you can be of mutual help?

love

Lisa de Haas

Senior Moderator

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" ypoonS1123 " <ypoons1123

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 11:04 AM

Herbal Remedies - Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia (Long)

> Very soon, my DD and I will be moving in with my

> grandfather (86) who has been diagnosed with

> Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. He is currently

> taking several different medications, Aricept for the

> AD, Celexa (sp?), and something else--to do what I

> consider sedation. He also takes aspirin for his

> heart issues (quadruple bypass 12 years ago).

April 11, 2006

samantha ,

keep in mind ...

as we get older , the body starts to shut down . people are more tired , and happy to sleep . . unless it interferes with his nightsleep , let him sleep .the body can heal itself while sleeping .

on another note .. and i might sound real mean : have you ever dealt with an alzheimers person on a daily basis ?? especially once they start wandering and are non-compliant , ornery or getting feitsy . sometimes alzheimers patients can get quite violent and cause bodily harm to loved ones . you will reach a point , where you will be happy when he sleeps .

the problem with day naps is , in case they turn to sunddowners , meaning they start doing all their sleep during the day and stay up all night -- just wandering and picking on things -- totally lost .

i wish you good success . for your sake ... find some good friends , who might relieve you for an hour or so each week . taking care of the eldery , esp alzheimers is not easy in the long run . it does get to you and you will need a break . as good as your intentions are and your hopes .... do yourself the favor [ even if you have to pay for it ]

gab

Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/307 - Release 4/10/2006

April 11, 2006

you can get lecithin granules and sprinkle them in his food. I have myasthenia gravis and like AD acetylcholine has a huge role in it. lecithin promotes more production of it and its helped me a lot. I take the pills of it but I know it is available in granules. also, it has helped me get more regular. I used to have constipation trouble and not since I started that. good luck.

melisa