text:
About this audio
Convict life in The Rocks, Sydney
Convict life in The Rocks, Sydney
Discover in this audio file what life was like for the convicts who first arrived in Sydney. Associate Professor Grace Karskens explains that, contrary to popular opinion, most convicts were not confined to gaol or work gangs. Many convicts settled in the Rocks area in their own houses and were able to conduct a normal life of business, family life and leisure.
Convict life in The Rocks, Sydney
Discover in this audio file what life was like for the convicts who first arrived in Sydney. Associate Professor Grace Karskens explains that, contrary to popular opinion, most convicts were not confined to gaol or work gangs. Many convicts settled in the Rocks area in their own houses and were able to conduct a normal life of business, family life and leisure.
Source : 702 ABC Sydney
Learning area: History
Primary: Year 5 | Secondary: Year 9
Things to think about
Before listening
According to the first Sydney census from 1788, the total population was 1030. Of that number, 753 were convicts and their children. Imagine you are Governor Phillip and are in charge of this new settlement. What specific problems do these figures suggest, what jobs would you have to get done, and what would be your priorities?
As you listen
Which group/s of people lived in The Rocks?
Why is The Rocks such a maze of narrow streets?
How do we know that many convicts brought furniture, utensils and tools with them to Australia?
How was the way the convicts thought of their children different from the way we think of children?
After listening
What if the authorities had followed the traditional view of convicts and locked them up in large gaols? How would this have affected the way the settlement developed?
How have we been able to learn about the way The Rocks was set up and run?
Next steps
What restrictions were imposed on convicts in the early days of New South Wales? what did convicts have to do to be freed of these restrictions?
Find out what you can about what life was like for the Cadigal people, the traditional owners of the area, once the convicts had arrived and settled in.
RICHARD GLOVER:Are you one of our regular students for Self Improvement Wednesday? Each week, you get to learn something new and each week, you can test out what you've learnt on our website, where there's already a pop-up test all about today's lesson. Your lesson this week - Convict Secrets of the Rocks. Your teacher is Associate Professor Grace Karskens, Senior Lecturer in Australian History at the University of New South Wales. Grace, good afternoon.GRACE KARSKENS:Hello, Richard.RICHARD GLOVER:Could we start about the layout of this area, because people are familiar with these crooked lanes and flights of stairs everywhere.GRACE KARSKENS:That's one of the nicest things about The Rocks. If people know it at all, those crooked laneways and stairs linking, 'cause it's a very steep area. You might wonder why it's like that 'cause it's so different from the modern city which is a grid - and a lot of suburbs are grid pattern too, and rather dull. The Rocks is interesting. Well, why are they like that? Because originally they were based on footpaths - on people walking between houses and pubs and shops - and not on planning. And so, what they do is take the shortest path over the rocky slopes - it's very rocky there. And these days, a lot of them have been straightened and levelled, but you can still get a sense of those ghostly imprint of the footpaths of the original people who lived there.RICHARD GLOVER:Now, who were those people?GRACE KARSKENS:Well, originally of course, there were the Cadigal people, but after 1788, they are the convicts of early Sydney. They started building houses in The Rocks from 1790 - that's only two years after the First Fleet comes here - and that's another important secret, I think, of The Rocks, because it was the convicts' side of the town, it's the place where they made their families and their community.RICHARD GLOVER:So the official garrisons are over the other side, near where we would find the Opera House or the Toaster now?GRACE KARSKENS:That's right. Well, they were up where Government House... ..where the Museum of Sydney is now. And this side, divided by the Tank Stream, is the convict side. Now, this is interesting because, you know, most people, and visitors too, think that convicts were always chained up, flogged and constantly lived in jail, but the true story is the opposite. These are the founding people of modern Australia and for the first 30 years, they didn't live in jail - they built their own houses or they lived in other convicts' houses as boarders or lodgers. And so, they also could form families - the lucky ones formed families, there weren't enough women to go around unfortunately - but the entrepreneurial ones also established businesses. So, this is the opposite to the imprisoned, shackled convicts. Some people that happened to, yeah - the ones who were committing crimes and they were in jail - most people just got on with their lives once they got to Sydney.RICHARD GLOVER:OK, and their deal might be that they had to do some work for the Government... ..but otherwise they would run their own business, run their own family, build their own house.GRACE KARSKENS:Yeah. Well, also, if you had capital and, you know, if you had a skill, you didn't have to work for the Government. You went off and set off your business - butchery or a stonemasonry or whatever - and that's how the colony got built, really.RICHARD GLOVER:And do we have a sense of what sort of lives they led in these houses they built for themselves?GRACE KARSKENS:Yes. Um... they do, because there are still remnants of these houses on The Rocks, so if you walk up the slope, which is quite steep - wear your walking shoes - and go up to the top streets, Cumberland and Gloucester Street. You will find the solid stone foundations of the houses that they built, convicts and ex-convicts, They're on the famous Cumberland-Gloucester Street site which has now got the Sydney YHA built over the top of it - the building floats over the site - and it's really fantastic, it's famous for a good reason. Because, you know, the whole of Sydney's 19th-century history is more or less written there in stone. And there's more secret history too, because when the archaeologists dug it up, they unearthed this amazing array of stuff, from cookware to sewing equipment and building material and toys and jewellery and tableware, and all these things. So while people think that convicts are typified by the ball and chain, in fact, these are the things that typify their lives and you can actually see them in The Rocks Discovery Museum also. And the other thing is, anywhere in The Rocks and in early Sydney there is history under our feet because most places have that archaeology lying hidden under our feet.RICHARD GLOVER:Far from the image of Old Sydney Town of the shackled convict being lashed every five minutes, this is quite a kind of tidy, domestic house... lifestyle - I wouldn't quite call it bourgeois but it's sort of... ..it's a lifestyle of artefacts and jugs and tablecloths and things like that.GRACE KARSKENS:That's right, yeah. So we not only have the archaeology to learn from, which tells us about this hidden, secret history - it's wonderful - but there are also fragments in the documentary sources, like in the books that you can read. For instance, there was a surgeon, Peter Cunningham, who published an account in 1827 of what The Rocks was like, and he said, as he looked inside the houses, 'inside cleanliness and comfort appear most conspicuous'. I mean, who knew? 'And in passing along one of our back streets, about dinner hour, you will almost universally observe a clean, newly unfolded cloth spread upon the table with a shining show of dinner utensils upon it, all equally inviting.' And that's the end of what he wrote. But even 24 years before that, there were a couple that got married on The Rocks in 1803 - John Kenny and Ileana Gallagher. They had a home furnished with chairs and tables, a sofa, mirrors, prints, as well as glassware and blue and white Delftware, which some people still have today - I happen to have that today. So these people like their comforts. They're not like us 'cause they're not as obsessed with respectability or, you know, one-upmanship of everybody, but they like their domestic comforts, and that's a very different image than we have of, you know, the convicts sent to Australia.RICHARD GLOVER:They're coming here to set up lives, aren't they?GRACE KARSKENS:Yeah, they're coming here to set up lives.RICHARD GLOVER:The feel is of a new settler rather than of a prisoner.GRACE KARSKENS:That's right. That's right. And some of them bring stuff with them - some of it to sell and some to put in these houses. They're determined to make new lives on the other side of the world.RICHARD GLOVER:Describe the houses themselves. They're quite small, aren't they?GRACE KARSKENS:Well, I originally thought they would've been, but, in fact, when you actually look at the houses on the site, they're actually quite big, but they don't have a lot of rooms. Like, maximum three. Average rooms would be two. And this is another way that we can learn about these people in terms of their culture and the way they think. Now, most of us have more than two rooms in our houses, and we think of each room having a function, like bedrooms for beds and sleeping, and the kitchen's for cooking, or, you know, the sitting room's for watching telly. This doesn't happen in early Sydney - the only definition... the only difference they really have is the inner and the outer room - fascinating. So, with the inner room, that would be the place where you'd have a bed, you'd hide your valuables, including things like silver or panes of glass - 'cause they were very valuable - so it's a little bit more private there. But then you'd have the public room which had the fire where you did your cooking and where people could sit by the fire and share a pipe or a glass of something. So it's so different to the way we think about our houses.RICHARD GLOVER:It's a real notion of a private space and a public space.GRACE KARSKENS:Yeah, it does, though it's still a little bit... People often drank in one room, with a bed in the corner and everyone sitting around the table or the fire on the other side of the room. So, they haven't devolved into all these different rooms that we have.RICHARD GLOVER:They're also working at home, aren't they?GRACE KARSKENS:That's right. So, that's the other difference there is to us, 'cause we think of, you go to work somewhere else and then you come home, and they're completely different, and usually there's a long commute between. A lot of these people worked in their homes and their yards, so, um, the people like bakers and butchers and...RICHARD GLOVER:We're still talking about people who are convicts. They haven't finished their sentence at this point...GRACE KARSKENS:Not all of them. Some have.RICHARD GLOVER:But some are still a convict as they're working as a butcher getting married, having the Delft tableware and... and... and hopefully making a good living from being a butcher or whatever.GRACE KARSKENS:Well, it's a pretty dynamic place, early Sydney, not everybody got to do this. If you didn't have capital or skills or you were a bit of a bozo, like, this didn't happen - you ended up in a gang, making bricks somewhere. But The Rocks attracts the people who have got the get up and go and the money to do it. If you get off the boat with your butchering equipment like your knives and some money, off you go, set up your business. If you don't have those things, you've gotta get your rations from somewhere, so you go and work for the Government for half the day.RICHARD GLOVER:People were allowed to bring tools of trade on the boat?GRACE KARSKENS:Yeah, they brought trunks with their clothes and china and things to sell, because they knew things would sell well here - these people are consumers. (Chuckles)RICHARD GLOVER:Are the women working as well, in these houses?GRACE KARSKENS:Women are working as well. This was normal too. I mean, it's only later that it's decided that respectable women don't work. Working-class women have always worked, and the things they did on the The Rocks especially, they worked as publicans and dealers, they were laundresses...RICHARD GLOVER:Dealers as in card dealers?GRACE KARSKENS:No, um, merchants.RICHARD GLOVER:Merchants.GRACE KARSKENS:Selling things. So they had shops, yeah. They'd buy things off the ships and then sell them in the shops. Seamstresses. You know, fixing clothes? Brothel-keepers. Some of them opened little schools for the children. Other people had restaurants. Very, very busy place, and women were in all of that. Basically, you couldn't run a business unless you were married. If you were a man, you needed a wife to run a business for you.RICHARD GLOVER:And you mentioned the children - part of this picture, of course.GRACE KARSKENS:They're part of this picture, and this is another secret that you can learn about. They don't think about children the way we do. We think of childhood as a separate time, children are innocent and they need to be protected. They loved their children and they did protect them and they educated them and trained them, but children were part of the adult world. They didn't shield them from things like hangings or, um, other terrifying things, they were everywhere - they were sent off to get booze from the pub and they brought it back. And the thing is that sometimes this lack of separation in the house had tragic consequences for children, because when they're little, especially, they could fall down an uncovered well, 'cause they didn't cover their wells all the time. Sometimes they'd put the cradles near the fire and the fire would... you know, they'd get burnt - terrible stories about that - or a terrine of cooking food, bubbling away, would overturn on them. These stories are in the Sydney Gazette and they're tragic, and people just go berserk with grief, but let's face it, these houses are a dangerous place. The other thing is, because there's no separation between work and home, there are tools everywhere. so kids pick up hoes or files or chisels or hooks - reaping hooks - and they make games out of them, and that has terrible consequences sometimes, as well - not all the time, but it's a dangerous place for children.RICHARD GLOVER:Despite the fact that we've been emphasising the lack of the lash and the leg chain, there's still hangings.GRACE KARSKENS:Oh, yes. Oh, yes. They were in every part of the British Empire - it's a great old tradition, isn't it? (Chuckles) If you walked today... south along Harrington Street in The Rocks, which is about the middle, to Essex Street, you'll find yourself on a hill, and the ground falls away from you down to George Street. Now, a lot of historians and others, popular history people, have also said, 'Now, this is where the gallows were. This was Gallows Hill and this is where they hanged people. How interesting.' Well, actually, not quite true. In fact, this was a hill where people gathered so they could watch the hangings in the back of the jail yard below, So the jail was on George Street...RICHARD GLOVER:It was the viewing platform rather than the stage.GRACE KARSKENS:A natural viewing platform. 'Cause they actually... the authorities did get a bit squeamish about hanging people in public because it was so unseemly, and it'd cause more riot, actually, but people still wanted to watch their hangings. We're talking about different people here - they're pre-industrial - so they would gather on the hill to watch and jeer or whatever they did, and there's one account where the person who was condemned actually got a reprieve from the governor, and everybody went away very disappointed at missing out on the entertainment. So that's early Sydney for you.RICHARD GLOVER:The play has closed early, I guess.GRACE KARSKENS:That's right.RICHARD GLOVER:What a fantastic lesson. Grace Karskens, thank you very much.GRACE KARSKENS:My pleasure.RICHARD GLOVER:Thanks to Grace Karskens from the University of New South Wales. She's written a number of books about the history of early Sydney, in particular, The Rocks. Remember, you can test yourself out with a quiz on the website. How much of Grace's lesson will you recall? Go to abc.net.au/Sydney and click on 'Drive'. There you'll find details of how to subscribe to the free Self Improvement Wednesday podcast. Don't let that ten-minute walk with the dog not help your brain as well as your limbs. You can download a whole lot of topics from mathematics to science to history and literature. Next week, spiritualism, seances and fairies - the visit to Australia by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with literary lecturer Susannah Fullerton. That's Self Improvement Wednesday next week.
For teachers
Strand: Historical Knowledge and Understanding
Substrand: The Australian Colonies
Content code: ACHHK094
Content description:The nature of convict or colonial presence, including the factors that influenced patterns of development, aspects of the daily life of the inhabitants (including Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples) and how the environment changed.
Strand: Historical Knowledge and Understanding
Substrand: Students investigate how life changed in the period in depth through the study of ONE of these major developments: the Industrial Revolution or Movement of peoples or Progressive ideas and movements. The study includes the causes and effects of the development, and the Australian experience.
Content code: ACDSEH083
Content description:The experiences of slaves, convicts and free settlers upon departure, their journey abroad, and their reactions on arrival, including the Australian experience
About this resource
702 ABC Sydney
08 October 2011
Cite this resource
You can use this information to reference this item.
Bibliographic details for 'Convict life in The Rocks, Sydney':
702 ABC Sydney, 'Convict life in The Rocks, Sydney', ABC Splash
02 February 2015
Copyright information
Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2012 (except where otherwise indicated).


text:
New Pages!
Simply Filling/Core - Weekly Chat - Monday, May 23 through Sunday, May 29, 2011View Full Version : Weekly Chat - Monday, May 23 through Sunday, May 29, 2011 Vickie 05-23-2011, 09:11 AM New Pages! Vickie 05-23-2011, 09:11 AM Good Morning Chicks! How SWEET are all of you? Thank you SO much for all the birthday wishes. I'm so humbled by all the people who remembered my birthday yesterday, here and on Facebook. It really is great fun to have so many friends here at home and in Cyberspace! This week is to be crazy again. We are packed solid with appointments and now I need to try to fit Jim in with his Podiatrist since it seems he is getting an infected nail again. Not sure how I'll juggle the calendar but it seems important. Tomorrow are his cardiac tests and all sorts of PT this week. Yikes! We had a very nice, quiet day yesterday together. We'd already celebrated with the family so we just did dinner out alone yesterday at my favorite Mexican restaurant. I don't drink anymore so I splurged all my calories on the meal and then went for a rainbow cone afterwards. It's hard to describe but it is DELICIOUS! I ended up with an icky tummy from the carne asada, but it was worth it. Back to business today, with two more birthday splurges to come. Lunch out with my best girlfriend and spending the day with two couples we are very close with on Memorial Day weekend. Then.....serious business. Hope you all had a great weekend and that you'll have an even better week. I've already cancelled my JC weigh in and I'm not sure when I'll be able to fit in my WW weigh in. Probably not until Tuesday. Be well! beach bum 05-23-2011, 03:20 PM Hi Ladies:) Had to sing in the choir for my original choir directors DD funeral this morning.After that[ my brunch group] Decided to go to Friendly's for coffee,I talked them into having lunch. Well I'm so embarrassed to what I ate big burger with French fries and a choc sundae to boot. I just can imagine the calories I ate,and bring me into Cholesterol City. Not going to eat for the rest of the day,as I'm stuffed. Going to do some of my walking tapes along with biking tonight while watching TV. Why Oh Why do I do that to myself,I should know better and just have a salad. VICKIE-Thanks for the new pages,and happy to hear the you enjoyed your birthday at your favorite restaurant. Hope by next SAT. my weight will be down after eating like I did today. I had an appointment with the Podiatrist last week,and she told me that she sees that I'm favoring my left foot as I had more callouses on my right than left. She removed them and I'm feet feel so much better.Hope you can squeeze your DH in for an appointment. Have a great day ontarget 05-23-2011, 11:15 PM Hi there. Vickie, thank you for the new pages. Sounds like you are in a whirlwind. I feel for Jim. I have a lot of probs with my toenails, too. Maryann, your lunch out sounds good to me. Into every life a few burgers must fall. You don't eat like that often. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Same for you, Vickie. Both of you eat healthier most of the time. I just got home from OA. We had a good meeting. Tomorrow Curtis and I are going to go out and do something--don't know what yet, but we're going to do something. Tejas 05-24-2011, 01:06 AM My niece and I are back. The short story is that she has obtained temporary guardianship of her father, my brother. This is not easy, but it's necessary. We have to go back in mid-July to finalize all the legalities. We had to drive 5 hours each way but we did fine with it. The scenery is beautiful and the traffic was light. We also found some decent and healthy places to eat and did well with that. Vickie 05-24-2011, 09:46 AM Good Morning Chicks! Have a great day. We are off to a busy, busy day of tests and Doctors. Rhonda, your Niece is quite blessed to have you. Sandra, you and Curtis have fun today. Are you celebrating something besides life being good? beach bum 05-24-2011, 10:12 AM Good Morning Ladies:) Not doing much today as its raining again,along with a fog,suppose to have the painter preparing for outdoor clap board painting of the building. Have no idea if he's going to show up. Two of the summer time families are coming down, so for building will be a full house for the weekend,to bad the weather isn't co-operating as the weather report is saying the weekend is going to be wash out. SANDRA-Whatever you two do, have a great time.No I'm not really worried about my one day sabotage,just going low carb today and exercising more. RHONDA-That was a long trip for one day but you niece needed you and that what family is all about. VICKIE-During your busy day take some time out for yourself. Have to go and ready for todays chores ontarget 05-24-2011, 08:27 PM I didn't mean to be so mysterious. We went to Cracker Barrell then to Michael's to get bucket hats and fabric pens. I'm taking them to the archery ladies at the National Senior Games next month. I thought getting each other's signatures on them would make nice keepsakes. Rhonda, I'm glad you're home. Could you e me Elaine's email addy? The one I have is not current. Vickie, how is Jim? Did he get good reports? Maryann, wish I could send you some good weather. Wish we had good weather..... It's windy. Tejas 05-24-2011, 09:40 PM We are under a tornado warning right now. There are touch downs, but they are still about 40 miles away. Egg-sized hail, also. The weather channel is amazing. I know that it can't be 100% accurate but they can tell you where touch downs have been seen, how fast it's moving, when you can expect it, etc. My post about how long our trip was might have been confusing. The trip is 5 hours, each way--5 hours Sunday, and 5 hours back on Monday. Very tiring, especially when all the emotion is added in. But, as I said, the scenery is amazing. In addition, the route is through the largest wind turbine farm in the state, and Texas leads the nation in energy production from turbines. ontarget 05-24-2011, 10:46 PM Rhonda, your trip sounds exhausting but interesting. I'm glad you made it home safely. (also glad the thunderboomers are over for you tonight) I'm subbing tomorrow--guessing this will be my last of the year--but who knows? I even subbed first day of school last year. Why not sub last day? :yikes: Tejas 05-24-2011, 10:56 PM All is well here now. There was a funnel cloud about a 10- minute drive from our home, and the dog and I went to the "safe room" when the sirens blew. I just talked to a friend of mine who was in his closet as we talked and the storms were right over his house, close to Dallas. He's OK. ontarget 05-24-2011, 11:12 PM Glad ya'll are all right. Scarey stuff! Vickie 05-25-2011, 09:39 AM OHHHHH....I'm so glad you are all safe. Bad weather here in Chicagoland today. I'm supposed to go out for my last birthday lunch today. I need to check with my girlfriend to see if she wants to still drive in these storms today. Have a great day! ems81wales 05-25-2011, 01:54 PM hey girls hope your all well and your having a good week. Im still stressed to the eye balls with these exams 3 down 2 to go i have my next one tomorrow and then the last one is next wednesday :D xxx beach bum 05-25-2011, 02:11 PM Hi Ladies:) Had lots to do this morning went to the cemetery to put some flowers on Leo's grave and than being in that area I went to the Toyota dealer and made an appointment to have my oil checked & have my car inspected for the year. After I got home I walk along the beach for 30 mins.Yippee!!! I finally was able to walk that much. Than grocery shopping for the staples. SANDRA-What a great idea to have the ladies sign the hats have them as a keepsake. Thanks the weather is now looks nicer that it did at the beginning of the week. RHONDA-TG we don't have those horrible storms my heart goes out to your poor people that have to be aware of them all the time. TG your friend is OK. VICKIE-Be care when going out in these storms. EMS-Sending you some [[[[good vibes]]]]] that you get though all those exams. Have to go and get today's chore done. Tejas 05-25-2011, 06:40 PM Ems....good luck on those exams. Tejas 05-26-2011, 01:21 AM Just where is everyone? :tantrum: nancy237 05-26-2011, 02:44 AM Hey everyone.. I was at the hardware store today which was Robin's & my favorite hangout and I saw a man from behind that took my breath away. The exact Robin from behind, head, ears, body type, little neck roll, even his trademark grey tee shirt that he had 10 of. I texted my cousin about him and by the time I finished he was gone. I searched the store forever to see what he looked like from the front but he was gone in a flash. This guy was in the power tool section which was Robin's favorite. I told my cousin that he came back just long enough to tell me that he was woodworking with the master carpenter now. I am frantically trying to get 50 things on the house done each day. Its sorta a compulsive thing. I went downstairs a few minutes ago and ended up cleaning out the pantry. I know it is me trying to cope but I am just going to go with it. Lots is getting done anyway. Not doing well with getting rid of clothes , I was the same way with my dad in 1998. I just seem to remember him wearing them and can't let go. I did get rid of some that he never wore. The house is going to be harder to sell than I thought. We were planning to move & that was fine because we had each other. Now I look around and see trees he & the boys planted, a deck he built, sod he laid , a huge rock pile he & our grandson gathered & and such. Good that I am not thinking til spring anyway. Then I will have to see how I feel. Anyway the work that needs to be done might be the exact therapy I need to stay busy. I am going to spend a few days at the beach with my cousin this weekend. She won't even let me help with the condo so I am going to cook for them which I love doing. She just told me that when she makes Chicken Parmigiana for her daughter she pounds the chicken, grills it, breads & fries it & then puts it in the oven in a casserole dish with sauce & cheese. I told her I was calling Peta for what she is doing to those poor chickens LOL . I told her I have a 5 minute recipe that is delicious I will show her. Well I was chatty wasn't I ..You all are the best.. Oh, now I know what I meant to ask. I have caught wind that my step daughter is thinking about planning a surprise birthday party for me in a few weeks . I am not really ready to have a get together like that, so how do I discourage it since I am not supposed to know about it. We usually just do a family thing which would be much easier to get through this year. Ideas?? if anyone made it through this long post .. beach bum 05-26-2011, 10:24 AM Good Morning Ladies:) Woke up to a foggy morning suppose to get sunny later on today. Going out with my one of my friends to a new pizza place in town. Up goes my carbs.My Memorial Day is a going to be a wash out. The two friends I was going to invite,one is sick with Shingles and the other friend's DD is coming up for the weekend. So to me its going to be just another Monday. RHONDA-I slept until 7:15 AM I guess I needed the sleep.Yes I agree where everyone. NANCY-That was interesting that you saw the man looked exactly like your Robin,and when you got back to look for him he was gone. Its it a possibility that it was really him. I had the same experience when My DH passed. I think they come back to you just to say good-bye. No!! Take time out for yourself, I know keeping busy is the key but don't go over board, thats not good. Take time to breath,and as far a your DH clothes. I put all my DH clothes in a big bags and put some of the bags on the curb for Big Brothers & Sisters to pick them up and the others I brought to our local clothes drive. And believe or not I kept some of my DH's clothes[jackets,wind breaker,golf and sweat shirts] that fit me, back into my closet. How big is you house,do you think you can manage. I have a 7 room town house and after I had knee surgery I closed the upstairs bedroom bath and loft and use the first floor only. When my kids or company comes up they can have the second floor while they stay. Happy that you will be away at your cousins for the weekend. I think you need to be away for a while to think what to do next. About your surprise birthday party,I can't help you with that,as we are all different and have different ideas. Hope I didn't or weren't to hard on your feeling,but I went though this and I'm hoping that I helped instead of hindered. Have a great day Tejas 05-26-2011, 12:34 PM Nancy, shortly after my husband died in Israel his sister and I went to a spa on the Dead Sea. We had made reservations, but when we arrived at dusk they had no information about us. It is not a safe area at night so we were feeling a little anxious. One of the spa workers told us that we could have his apartment for the night. When we walked into the apartment it was as if we had walked into Avi's room. Same colors, same type of decor, including a poster that was the Israeli equivalent of a poster Avi had in his apartment in Toronto. We were totally shocked, but totally comforted. When I went back to Canada after his death, a friend of his and I went to a community party/dance. A man walked into the room who was Avi's double! Life can be rather amazing, can't it. About the birthday party, I would be inclined to let it happen. I know that your grief is raw, but people want to give to you. I don't know how you could stop it, other than to tell the person who told you to insist that the party not happen :dunno: Vickie 05-27-2011, 10:03 AM Good Morning Chicks! Yesterday was insanse. Today should be better. Just cut and color for me and a few errands. There were administrative problems with Jim's tests on Tuesday that scared the living daylights out of me. Everything is fine as far as we know. The problems were not because of results. Then he ended up with minor toe surgery because of an infected nail. NOT good for a diabetic. He needs to take better care of his feet but there is nothing I can do but to encourage him to do so. Nancy, if I were you, I'd let the party happen. Your friends/family love you. They probably don't know what to do and so they want to surround you with love. Let them love you. It just might feel awesome. You and Robin always sounded like social creatures and they probably think that it will give you joy. What are you all doing for Memorial Day? We will be home. Another day that weekend we'll be going to a friends house with Brodie for the evening. It should be fun but fattening if I let it. I'm making my decadent cream cheese snowcap cookie. Uh oh!!!! beach bum 05-27-2011, 10:47 AM Good Morning Ladies:) Foggy again,but hot so I had the windows opened in the bedroom and I guess I must of breath in all those pollen into my lungs as this morning I had so much flame in my throat that I couldn't catch my breath. So the windows will be shut until I get my A/C in the rooms. Went out to a new pizza place that opened in town it was a great place so I will spread the word. This afternoon I'm going to the movies to see Hangover 2. and the rest of the weekend I plan to rest. VICKIE-Sorry you had problems with the administration,and that's all.Just a thought maybe you could make the appointment for him,if he doesn't.Having diabetes its every important that he does. Not doing anything on Memorial Day as I don't have family up here and all my friends are doing things with theirs,so it going to be quite day for me. In fact all holidays are lonesome except for Christmas, New Years, Easter & Thanksgiving,but I go down to NY for those. Have a nice day ontarget 05-27-2011, 07:00 PM Hi there. We've been working in the yard a lot the last 2 days. Sorry I was MIA. Ems, good success on your tests. Vickie, could Jim be talked into getting regular pedicures? That's what I"m doing to take care of ingrown toenails. I get them twice a month. Nancy, that's interesting what happened at the hardware store. I think there are a lot of experiences that cannot be explained. I don't know what to suggest about the party. Do what you think is best. Got to go. I have more watering to do. The plants are thirsty. nancy237 05-27-2011, 08:14 PM Finishing up some chores around the house and then in the morning I am driving to the beach to spend a few days with my cousin & her family. The beach should be easier than the mountains because Robin wasn't crazy about the beach. I often went with girlfriends and he was happy to stay home. I need to find some cheap places to stay at the beach . Who can afford the hotel rates there ?? Tejas 05-28-2011, 12:07 AM Nancy, have a great time at the beach with your friends. I'm meeting with a dietician/nutritionist tomorrow to see if she has advice for me about how to get off of this plateau. We talked for a long time on the phone today, and she was totally supportive of my weight lifting activities and even knew something about lifting and nutritional needs, etc. I'm optimistic about her. I have a niece coming to town tomorrow and I expect the weekend to be busy and fun. She's the sister of the niece who lives here and we always enjoy being together. Have a good night everyone. Vickie 05-28-2011, 01:37 PM Good Morning Chicks! Ended up with Brodie at the Vet this morning. Has beginnings of an upper respiratory infection and bladder infection. Sheesh. Gotto go bake some cookies for this weekend ontarget 05-28-2011, 03:49 PM Rhonda, sounds like you're going to whip that plateau for sure. Have fun with your nieces. Vickie, sheesh is right. Are you wondering what next? I hope Brodie's all right. Remember to take care of yourself. We're repairing our ceiling fans that were damaged during one of our storms. The porches held up well. The only damage on them was to the 4 ceiling fans. Whew! beach bum 05-28-2011, 04:44 PM Hi Ladies:) Had a busy day went to the PB club with my friend Alice and than to the movies to see Hangover 2.Sorry for posting so late,but I wasn't feeling well and didn't sleep. I think I had to much going for me yesterday. Now my kitchen sink is stuck up and I'm waiting for the plumber to arrive. Did manage to get down to the beach and got my walking for 20 mins done.Its getting hot up here and the lady from my bldg didn't come down for the holiday so I won't get my A/C's in the windows. Hoping I can survive until after the holiday when I will call my handyman. SANDRA-Sometime yard work take priority over everything else. glad that you're having fun time in your flower garden. NANCY-Have a great time at the beach with your friends. RHONDA-Happy to hear you have such an good dietitian that you have conference in. Hope she knows hope to get you off this plateau. VICKIE-Sorry about your Brody hope it get well soon.Be careful not to eat all those cookies your baking. Have a great day Tejas 05-28-2011, 04:48 PM OK, I've been to the nutritionist. Send cookies, Vickie :lol: Sandra, glad to hear that you didn't have much damage. It could have all been so much worse. Maryann, at least you aren't where it's in the 90's already!! ontarget 05-28-2011, 06:56 PM Rhonda, inquiring minds want to know what the nutritionist said. Maryann, are your evenings cool? I would love to take a walk along the beach with you. I'm making breakfast for dinner. I'll be counting points for sure. Have a Satisfying Saturday, ladies. I'll catch you later. Tejas 05-29-2011, 12:24 AM The nutritionist mostly asked me lots of questions and had me fill out a lot of forms, as well as taking measures of just about every part of me. I gave her four days of a food log and my exercise program details. I'll see her again on Wednesday for her analysis. She says that my finger joints look as though I'm developing rheumatism (I believe that) and that my finger nails make her think I might not be getting enough B12. I do, by the way, have alopecia. This sometimes involves the thyroid but it was normal. My sister had it, and the doctor says it will probably be self-limiting and reverse itself. They gave me some cream to put on my scalp. We shall see. ontarget 05-29-2011, 11:38 AM Rhonda, your work is paying off. I'm glad you are getting help with your health issues. That's important. We're dressed, ready for church. Other than that it's to be a low key day. I need to prune a rosebush that's encroaching one of the hummingbird feeders. Does that sound like a busy day? :lol: beach bum 05-29-2011, 01:38 PM Hi Ladies:) Had a late start again so didn't have the time to post this morning. The woman form D unit came home an put my A/C's in but now the bed Ac is in the living-room and visa versa.Luckily that fit both windows. Looks like is going to rain in a minute or two,but we were lucky to have Fri & Sat that were good. Going to relax this afternoon & evening.Still didn't have my mini meeting about the paints color sand shutters,but the people in B &D unit are not a home,so I guess the lady in C and I will make the decision and hope is fine with the others. The plumber come to unclogged the kitchen sink.I was so happy that I could afford to to have the kitchen sink unplugged especially on a holiday weekend. He cost me $100 usually that the amount just to walk into the house. RHONDA-Yikes!!! TG we don't get the high 90's up here,but the humidity is what the killer up here. SANDRA-Yes my friend that walks her dog along the beach at night say it cools down a bit when the sea breezes come in off the ocean. I don't go down there in the evening.She lives near the water I don't. I finally bought myself a treat for Memorial Weekend from Dunkin Donuts gift card my nephew got me for Christmas. Frozen Choc Latte and Jelly Donut. So I'm signing off, have a great day. ems81wales 05-29-2011, 01:40 PM hi everyone hope your all well and you have had a nice week. Thanks for all the support only one more to go thank god :D hope you all have a lovely sunday afternoon xxx Tejas 05-29-2011, 03:43 PM Maryann, we often have very high humidity where I am but it's only about 59% right now, with a temperature in the mid- 90's. It's very windy too. But, not windy enough to blow the blankety-blank mosquitos away :tantrum: ontarget 05-29-2011, 07:03 PM Rhonda, get some martin houses. Martins feed off mosquitoes. We have several flitting about here thanks to houses at a neighbors. (Curtis is talking about putting one up out near the pond.) However, we still have skeeters. Maryann, Rhonda's right about the heat and wind. It's been really hard for me to train for the next archery event. Life goes on. Ems, one to go? :woohoo: vBulletin® v3.6.7, Copyright ©2000-2015, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.2 |

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Quality CareFind out why Mayo Clinic is the right place for your health care. Make an appointment.
Meet the StaffFind a directory of doctors and departments at all Mayo Clinic campuses. Visit now.
Research and Clinical TrialsSee how Mayo Clinic research and clinical trials advance the science of medicine and improve patient care. Explore now.
Visit Our SchoolsEducators at Mayo Clinic train tomorrow's leaders to deliver compassionate, high-value, safe patient care. Choose a degree.
Professional ServicesExplore Mayo Clinic's many resources and see jobs available for medical professionals. Get updates.
Give to Mayo ClinicHelp set a new world standard in care for people everywhere. Give now.
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
Subscribe to Housecall
Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.
Subscribe to our Alzheimer's Caregiving e-newsletter to stay up to date on Alzheimer's topics.
I received this piece from a reader of the blog a couple of weeks ago. The author, Allan, asked if I might share it with you. It's well written and thought provoking, so I'm passing it along to you. I shortened it, and will respond next week.
"As we baby boomers start to deal more with Alzheimer's disease, doctors must be more willing to listen to anecdotal comments by well informed spouses/caregivers ... and doctors along with local/national associations must start providing more services for those with early onset Alzheimer's and those in early stages of Alzheimer's. My wife has Alzheimer's. Only 63 when diagnosed six months ago, she's technically classified as having early-onset Alzheimer's ... a tag given to those who are diagnosed before the age of 65. There are many day-care activity programs available to those with moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's, and that's a good thing. However, there's virtually no support available to those with early-onset Alzheimer's or in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's. As is true for many eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's, my wife began exhibiting symptoms several years before the official diagnosis was made. I told doctors about her worsening symptoms at each visit, but my comments were routinely ignored. I noted how she kept asking me the same question over and over without any recollection of having just asked me that same question minutes earlier. I mentioned her getting lost while driving in our community, her disorientation, her aphasia ... but these comments weren't seen as red flags by anyone but me. Her behavior during doctor visits didn't seem to indicate any problems — her initial cognitive testing results were good, MRIs and blood work didn't show any problems, and the neurologist suggested that the symptoms I described were probably due to anxiety or stress. When cognitive testing results worsened later on, the diagnosis became severe cognitive impairment due to depression. For many months, the recommended treatment brought no improvement ... only a worsening of Alzheimer's symptoms ... and we eventually went for a second opinion at a hospital-affiliated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. There the diagnosis was probable Alzheimer's ... not depression. Some of the early signs of Alzheimer's are identical to signs of depression or stress. It seems that neurologists and cognitive psychologists too often base their diagnosis and treatment recommendations solely on objective testing results after relatively brief visits with patients. This needs to change! Doctors need to give more attention to the anecdotal observations supplied by spouses/caregivers. National organizations such as The Alzheimer's Association must also change how they provide services. They do a great job of providing support groups for spouses/caregivers, as well as day care opportunities for those with more advanced Alzheimer's, but they often provide no groups for people with early-onset Alzheimer's or in the early stages Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's takes a terrible toll on those suffering from the disease and on their spouses/caregivers. A good first step would be to begin forming groups around the country designed to meet the needs of those who are diagnosed at a young age, and for those who are in early stages of the disease!"
"As we baby boomers start to deal more with Alzheimer's disease, doctors must be more willing to listen to anecdotal comments by well informed spouses/caregivers ... and doctors along with local/national associations must start providing more services for those with early onset Alzheimer's and those in early stages of Alzheimer's.
My wife has Alzheimer's. Only 63 when diagnosed six months ago, she's technically classified as having early-onset Alzheimer's ... a tag given to those who are diagnosed before the age of 65. There are many day-care activity programs available to those with moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's, and that's a good thing. However, there's virtually no support available to those with early-onset Alzheimer's or in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's.
As is true for many eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's, my wife began exhibiting symptoms several years before the official diagnosis was made. I told doctors about her worsening symptoms at each visit, but my comments were routinely ignored. I noted how she kept asking me the same question over and over without any recollection of having just asked me that same question minutes earlier. I mentioned her getting lost while driving in our community, her disorientation, her aphasia ... but these comments weren't seen as red flags by anyone but me.
Her behavior during doctor visits didn't seem to indicate any problems — her initial cognitive testing results were good, MRIs and blood work didn't show any problems, and the neurologist suggested that the symptoms I described were probably due to anxiety or stress. When cognitive testing results worsened later on, the diagnosis became severe cognitive impairment due to depression. For many months, the recommended treatment brought no improvement ... only a worsening of Alzheimer's symptoms ... and we eventually went for a second opinion at a hospital-affiliated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. There the diagnosis was probable Alzheimer's ... not depression.
Some of the early signs of Alzheimer's are identical to signs of depression or stress. It seems that neurologists and cognitive psychologists too often base their diagnosis and treatment recommendations solely on objective testing results after relatively brief visits with patients. This needs to change! Doctors need to give more attention to the anecdotal observations supplied by spouses/caregivers.
National organizations such as The Alzheimer's Association must also change how they provide services. They do a great job of providing support groups for spouses/caregivers, as well as day care opportunities for those with more advanced Alzheimer's, but they often provide no groups for people with early-onset Alzheimer's or in the early stages Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's takes a terrible toll on those suffering from the disease and on their spouses/caregivers. A good first step would be to begin forming groups around the country designed to meet the needs of those who are diagnosed at a young age, and for those who are in early stages of the disease!"
Angela Lunde
Selecting "Submit" signifies that you have read and agree to our posting guidelines.
I totally agree with this letter! Why is it nowadays that most doctors seem so fixated on entering information in their computers, that they not only not really hear you, but don't look at you? When I was worried about my memory loss, I'm 65, and other conditions, he did a thyroid test, and it was OK, but then the concern stopped there! Doctors need to LISTEN to patients , as well as their caregivers, who else can help you? It's sad that in my lifetime, the computer is taking over feelings..
for nick: your wife is in her daily life. So she does automaticly her works. But she does this only to think for her works. First she must drink enough.She must discribes the thing she helds in her hands. And in her own thinking she must see exactly for herself the things. Please speak with her not for remember. The words are not the way to became better brain. Only for the yet time doing with things. And so the informations for her brain (input) will be more and the output also. Because the biochemical systems in the brain go faster and better.
my wife 84 seems to be getting worse and DR. said he can do nothing for her, Please suggest something. Iam at wits end
I went thru the same thing with my husband and our family doctor. I told him about how he was losing things and he told me we all forget things as we get older. I went to my neurologist who before I finished saying anything started ordering all kinds of tests. My husband suffers from early onset ALZ too. It's a terrible thing to watch him decline. His mini-mental score is now 2. Just a few short years ago, it was 27! I personally just don't know how to deal with all the changes.
I wholeheartedly agree with Allan. My sister is also in the early stages of Alzheimer disease, although she was diagnosed almost five years ago. We took her to a "Day Program" and registered her for pick up within the next week. She went the first day but found that the others in the group were away worse off than she was and the activities were not geared to someone in her condition whatsoever. We know that she needs to get out and be among people, also getting exercise every day to maintain her health as long as possible, but simply can't find a suitable program for her. I agree that a group designed for these people is sadly lacking.
Create article - thanks so much. My adoptive Mom has Alzheimer's but she is 85. As a babyboomer I am concerned about exactly what you discussed. I agree that the medical profession needs to validate the first hand observations (isn't that empirical evidence?!) of those closest to the person. My Mom had those same memory issues several years before being diagnosed - my Dad's death seemed to send her over the edge. Thanks again. I will share your ideas.
I agree 100% early stages need to be taken serious.And acted upon
Your concern and comments are so valid. My company operates 2 assisted living facilities in the south with dedicated Alzheimer's care units on site, as well as my Mother has lived 11 years with alzherimers diagnosis. Research is critical, Search and read a new york times article from justice Sandra day O Connor About need for more research. We must become much more effective about Sharing this need and change this! Day care and help is very important !! Be prepared for a long journey !! It's a new chapter of life.
there is the opposite problem as well when a spouse is depressed or experiencing other medical issues and reports a very exaggerated version of reality. protocols should be developed for the informant and number of informants.
I absolutley agree with Allan that doctors do not listen to family members about early signs of Alzheimer's. I just spent the last 5 years trying to convince my mother's internist and neurologist (!) that my mother's memory problems were not "normal aging" as they kept saying but Alzheimer's disease. Well, the last neuropsych exam proved I was right all along. Had they listened to me she could have started medications sooner and not declined so badly. I am sick of regular docotors' ignorance of the signs of early AD. To top it off, my mother's neurologist is now exhibiting symptoms of AD himself (his mother had it)! Who in the world should I notify about this and why aren't the people he practices with taking action on this? (He misread the date on a neuropsych test and took her off of her medication for a year among other things!)
Jim-I understand what you mean. My mother is very stubborn. After she fell we kept her at our homes for close to 6 months before she insisted on going home (alone). She rehabilitated nicely by that point. She promised us all kinds of safety precautions and hired help. Never happened. After a month she obviously needed to be removed from the home (self neglect)however, police, ambulance, etc interviewed her and she was "fine". We knew she was delusional. Fortunately(?) she finally fell which required EMS. Check into Adult Protective Services (APS) run by the state if available. They may be able to help you. My prayers are with you.
Your sooo right I cant get any help from my moms doctor and she will not let me know her medical info. There is one problem after another with her she lives by herself I work and cannot help her all the time. Until something bad happends looks like I cannot get any help.
The last of my comment didn't post. My wife showed symptoms of Stage 3 Alzheimer's wihtin no more than 2 weeks after falling on Ice. One of her best friends from childhood recently visited us for a weekend and had an almost identical experience with her mother. She had fallen on Ice and broke both wrists, and less than two weeks later had severe symptoms of Dementia or Alzheimer's. My wife also seems to be improving slightly with the new experimental drug. I believe that she was on a placebo, because her tests were pretty much "level" for the first 5 months. The placebo study group (20 percent of the patients in the study) are given real medicine at the halfway point and until the conclusion of the study. On her last two doctor visits, the nurses have told me that she has been able to do tasks that she has never done before. My wife had an accidental death / disability policy which covered an accident at work. She is unable to work anymore and receives a small social security check each month. I am needing to file a claim on this policy, but I need some evidence of a correlation between her fall and the Dementia symptoms. She had no symptoms whatsoever prior to the fall, and there is no family history of Alzheimer's. From everything I've read, I don't think anyone develops Alzheimer's and shows signs of Stage 3 progression in a 30 day period. I believe that if she had a progression to stage 3 in 30 days, she would be much worse now, which she is not. HELP!!!
Your statement that doctors need to listen to spouses and caregivers is absolutley correct. My wife is 57, and has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. She was working as a teaching assistant at a school until 18 months ago. In January of 2009, she fell on an Icy sidewalk at school, broke her wrist,and hurt her hip, shoulder and neck> I believe she hit her head on the icy sidewalk also, but no one saw her fall. Within two weeks (and may have been sooner) she was exhibiting signs of memory loss, and began having difficulty at home performing routine tasks such as operating a coffee maker, doing laundry, following recipies, etc. After almost a year and following a CT scan (4 months after the fall), an MRI and an EEG (6 mos after) and a PET Scan (11 mos after falling) she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Within 5 weeks of the fall, we took her to a doctor one evening when she was having severe problems. The doctor performed a battery of mental tests for about an hour, and she had symptoms at that time similar to a Stage 3 Alzheimer's patient. Every doctor who has seen my wife discounts any link between the fall and the "Alzheimer's". At this point, although she is in a clinical trial for a new Alzheimer's drug, I'm not convinced that she has Alzheimer's and not severe Dementia, because, after beginning to take Pristiq a little over a year ago, she showed some improvement and hasn't worsened. Has Anyone else experienced Alzheimer symptoms IMMEDIATLEY a
To Lynn- my mom also developed a tremor about 6-7 years ago which has gotten progressively worse. I cannot find any info on the association. She is 63. I was glad to see your post!
Allan, thank you for sharing your story. You totally described what our experience has been. My mom finally went in to see a neurologist a year ago at age 62. She has had progressive symptoms for several years prior. Her Dr. did all the usual testing including an MRI. He told me nothing looked unusual and her symptoms were due to stress from the divorce to my father. We (my sisters and I) knew otherwise but now my mom had ammo: "I told you nothing was wrong." Although she had been fired from being a practicing attorney because she couldn't keep up during court proceedings and would forget important details during cases. (I spoke to the judge who said she needed to quit practicing.) Over the past year she has gone steadily downhill. I found out today that an MRI is used to RULE OUT other possibilities for the symptoms and that most AD patients have fine MRI's. This Dr. is totally wrong on how to diagnose AD and the role an MRI has. Not only have we lost a year in possible treatment, but my mom is convinced more than ever that nothing is wrong because a neurologist told her so. This guy did his graduate work at the mayo clinic and on their website it says "In most clinical settings, brain imaging should be used only to rule out such things as hemorrhages, brain tumors or strokes." I also heard this from a nurse today who works in an Aging & Alzheimer center in our state.
I totally agree. I am a retired physician, diagnosed myself having early stage AD. My father had it before he died of stroke. We definitely need more attention and organized effort to slow or stop it early on before it is too late. Thank you!
To Karen -- I am in a very similar situation. My almost 82 yr old husband has been steadily declining in cognitive, reasoning abilities and memory loss over the past ten years. We reached a point where I had to take some sort of legal action. My husband had never made a will or a trust. This left us with a very risky economic situation for us and our six children and grandchildren. We own property as well as investment accounts. My husband, as yours, is in denial of his diminished capacities and refuses to see a physician (even though he is a retired health care professional himself and we have children who are also in this profession.) With the support of our children I sought advice from an attorney who came highly recommended by a long-time attorney friend. I ended up having to petition the court for guardianship. This has enabled me to form a trust for our family and help preserve our assets. I am also better able to control our budget since my husband started to make purchases which were not only foolish, but some were dangerous for him. Although he was examined by a psychiatrist and two psychologists for the guardianship process, he still is in denial and refuses to see a physician for diagnosis and any possible treatment. There has been a downside to my actions, of course. He is very angry about what I have had to do and obviously does not understand any of it. If I try to explain anything to him, he gets confused and then angry. Good luck!
Michelle, based upon contacts I have made in many states, I would have to disagree with you that most chapters of the Alz. Assoc. offer at least some resources and services for those in early stages. I have discovered that it is the rare chapter that does this. Where I live, to serve more than 55,000 people with AD, according to the Alz. Assoc., the local Alz. Assoc. provides more than 30 groups for those in moderate or advanced stages ... caregiver support groups, daytime activity programs, etc. ... but zero programs for PWAD in early stages or with EOAD and only 1 caregiver group for EOAD ... and that one only meets once a month, and at night. My point is simply that, in my opinion, this is a very poor allocation of existing resources. I have been prodding my local chapter to start new groups, and I am told that they are working on starting one. (According to their website they already have one ... but that is simply not true because when my wife and I went to that supposed 'meeting' we were told that they meant that they were hoping to eventually begin such a group!!) You are correct in that I and all involved with AD must work hard to advocate for MORE resouces. My point is simply to urge the The Alz. Assoc. to better utilize their CURRENT resources to better meet the needs of those in early stages, or with EOAD, and their spouses and caregivers!
Allan, You are right. Currently no organization provides enough programs for people with early dementia. However, the Alzheimer's Association has taken leadership in this area and most chapters offer at least some resources and services for people living with early Alzheimer's. Is it enough? No way. Do we need more? Absolutely. If you agree with me, I encourage you to take a step in this direction by contacting your representatives in congress and encouraging them to: - allocate more money to Alzheimer's disease research - provide reimbursement under medicare for dementia screening, diagnosis, and education / intervention. I'd also encourage you to contact your local Alzheimer's Association chapter and offer to help them develop programs that meet the needs of those with early dementia and help them find the resources to do the work. As Margaret Mead said, never doubt that "a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." We all have been impacted by this disease, and have witnessed first hand what happens when it is not diagnosed and treated early. We can and must be the ones to change this - for our spouses, our parents, our brothers, our children and ourselves.
Beth, I appreciate your response but, with all due respect, The Alzheimer's Association is just not presently meeting the needs of those in early stages, or those with EOAD, anywhere near to the degree that it meets the needs of those in more moderate or severe stages. Not even close. I posted a response to Angela Lunde's January 30th column, so I won't repeat myself here. But to say that the Assoication 'recognizes' the importance of those in early stages does not translate into actually providing services for those in early stages ... at least not in any part of this country that I am personally aware of!
Please accept our sympathies on your wife's diagnosis. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease that affects the entire family. With Americans living longer and prevalence of Alzheimer's soaring, the Alzheimer's Association shares your concern that this progressive and fatal disease be stopped immediately. While researchers work to find better treatments, the Association strives to support the 5.3 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's, including 200,000 under the age of 65, and their 10 million caregivers. Knowing that half of all people with Alzheimer's are in the early stages, the Association recognizes the importance of this community. Association chapters nationwide offer more than 300 support groups for people with the disease. Now in its 4th year, the Association is pleased to continue its Early-Stage Advisory Group, people living in the early stages of Alzheimer's who discuss resources for this population. Previous Early-Stage Advisory Groups offered input to the Association's 10 Warning Signs as part of a campaign to raise awareness of early detection among the public and physicians. The Early-Stage Advisory Group also created Principles of a Dignified Diagnosis, the first statement by people living with the disease on how to improve diagnosis. Finally, information, resources and an online community, including message boards for people with Alzheimer's, can be found at www.alz.org. The Association also offers a 24/7 toll-free helpline (800-272-3900).
My husband, age 82, has been exhibiting symptoms of cognitive problems for four years but only recently has he been willing to admit there are area where he is slipping. Even so, he is very resistant to seeing a specialist for evaluation. I have been hoping that is I can persuade him to do so he will be more acceptive of help in those areas (finance for one). Has anyone else had a similar situation? Does a diagnosis make any change in the patient's attitude? Does it ever help make a person more cooperative in their own care?
My husband is 63 years old. Although he was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's only about three months ago, I'm sure he had symptoms for at least one year prior to the diagnosis. I am very worried and frightened for him. I just keep hoping that I will be able to care for him in a manner so that he will not lose his dignity. Has anyone had experiences with tremors that are becoming increasingly worse? He is on Aricept and his cognitive thinking skills have improved, as well as overall symptoms, but the physical aspect ... extreme tremors worries me. I really do not know what to expect next. Can anyone help me out here?
My husband has had AD, I believe, since he was 49, though he wasn't formally diagnosed until the age of 52. Since that time, we've had neuropsychological testing each year (clarification for employer) and he has been unemployed now since he was 54. Fortunately, we received benefits from social security and UNUM (thru employer), so we're okay financially for now. I just wish there were services for sociable people like my husband where he could get together with others of like age and illnesses. As expressed in the newsletter posted on 1/29, more services in general need to be available to the early-onset people; it seems that everything is geared to the elderly with AD. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them. Currently, we are 56, and I teach while my husband stays at home. Even though our son is available - off and on - I would like to see my husband busy during the day. Thanks. Patti
You've hit the nail squarely on the head, couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for your comments! I knew my mother was "in trouble" long before they would diagnose her with alzheimers. My dad was left to deal with it as best he could. When Mom became hospitalized at one point, he was a different person without that burden of worry and care. It's never 'easy' (say what?) but there is room for improvement in the field of early care, intervention, etc.
I have read all of these comments and just wish to give my comment, as I have experienced the early onset of dementia, eventually alzheimer's with my wife. Our family doctor and nurse practioner were very helpful for the first three years with good testing and medication. Finally a neurologist was seen after about three years and said she was definitely in the beginning stage. what with not driving anymore, not interested in cooking, or doing her love of crafts, etc,etc,etc. I became her sole caregiver, when she finally became bedfast, bathing, cooking, washing bed clothes and clothing. She finally was recommeded by the family doctor to HOSPICE, which was a lifesaver for me. One year and two months passed and when food was no longer possible Hospice admission was arranged. That lasted 16 days.
Amen to Allan's discussion about help and support to the early onset of brain problems that exibit changed behavior, attitudes, sleep patterns, responses verbal and non verbal. My husband has been diagnosed with vascular cognitive impairment but I am virtually the caregiver for all but bathing, dressing, and feeding him. I have no idea where we are going with this and have little help from the neurologist who called it; he will answer questions but never expand. If I don't ask, he won't say. Some people are supportive but most others back away because they see the changes, are afraid to ask or stay involved with us. I am forging ahead to make life as comfortable for my husband as I can but our life is on my shoulders now. I feel as though I have a jigsaw puzzle which is missing a lot of pieces. Our lives have changed so much. I am constantly seeking more information which can help us both. It is a sad time for everyone.
I volunteer at a Day Program for people with fairly advanced stages of Alzheimer's. More frequently new clients are coming in to check out the program with their caregivers and the last two new people were 49 and 59 years old. The first one is one year older than me. This epidemic of younger and younger people being diagnosed is a brand new thing four our society and WE are the ones who must start the groups for those diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. We must start groups for the caregivers as well -- equally as important, in my view. You can't give what you don't have and too often the caregivers are drained physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Ideally, wouldn't it be nice to have a facility that catered to both the patient and caregiver? Each could go interact with their peers and enjoy a break. My thoughts and loving wishes go to all those devoted people out there selflessly giving everything they have to make life easier, better, and more joyful to those suffering from this horrible form of dementia.
I'm so glad that I've returned to look back at responses. To Tina: You are in the health profession as I am, so you should be aware that there are over 100 types of dementia already. Alzheimers is just one, but the most common. All are "treatable" in some fashion, none of them are "curable". That is a wide difference when you are experiencing it. The diagnosis has become a "catchall" phrase I suppose but there remains the need for knowledge. EVERYONE invovled needs to have testing done to determine area of the brain that is involved, primary care MD's need further preparation in care and there needs to less judgements on the family by practioners. I strongly suggest that each of you get a second opinion if someone in your family has this diagnosis as a surprise to you. For those who are not surprised...keep demanding to have another doctor take a look, ask for someone who has some experience with "memory loss". For Jessica: please beg your mom to let you go with to the doctor to figure out what is causing her to have a few memory losses. Don't label otherwise. Just ask her to let you go with, get a written message to the MD before the appt of examples of things you & dad are seeing at home with memory things, ie. forgetting conversation, where she is,etc. That way MD can have an idea of things to discuss at the appointment as well. Preparation is key. She may be angry. But let her be. This is for her safety and that MUST b
Unfortunately, both myself and my husband have had much experience using the health care system in America. Before he was diagnosed Nov. 09, he had been a heart patient since 1991, and I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia/osteoarthritis since 1986. My diagnosis came before fibromyalgia was officially recognized as a 'disease'. The most important thing a person can do for their health care situation is to learn everything you can about a diagnosis, I firmly believe in support groups, and one needs to become informed enough to become one's own advocate for your care in the health system. Or if the diagnosis is Alzheimer's the caregiving spouse must take an active role in their loved ones' care! My husband just turned 65 in September, but for about a year or two he has had symptoms. This July I just insisted that he go to a neurologist and get the tests needed to provide an accurate and informed diagnosis. He is now on Aricept and Namenda, and while these drugs cannot stop the disease, they DO SLOW THE PROGRESSION, and that is why I feel it is vital to get as early a diagnosis as possible. If your primary care physician does not take you seriously, insist on a referral to a neurologist. If you and your first neurologist do not 'mesh', keep searching, good doctors are out there. Finally remember to ask your doctor questions, a good physician will have no problem in your seeking more information or asking for simplified terminology. Knowledge is power!!
We are fortunate that though my husband has been diagnosed with "frontal lobe dimentia" and the neurologist has affirmed that this is reallly Altheimers - we work well together, with me filling in on what is waning in awareness for him - he has lost ALL memory of incidents in the past, even our great trips we took after marrying 15 years ago! But I worry, what is there to help as things go way down - I am ill with Lyme's (advanced) disease, and don't know where to turn later. What to do - where to go?
I am so relieved to see that it isn't just our doc. I have been asking to have my husband tested for several years. The test the internist gave was passed with "flying colors." Doc even asked hubby, "does your memory bother you, or just her." I gave up for a couple of years, then insisted on seeing someone else--was referred to a nuerologist. He did a couple of tests (eeg and mri of head), still hasn't given a diagnosis, but we are "trying" different meds. I still don't feel very confident, but at least someone is listening to me.
I had cared for my mother through her Alzheimers so when my husband showed signs I visited his doctor with him and asked for help. The doctor responded curtly that my husband did not have Alzheimers and he would not treat him for it. My husband is now in the moderate to advanced stage. I had to cdhange doctors to get care for him.
Amen, Mom's primary care doctor kept assuring me Mom's problems were from depression. She was only 70 when things first started to change for her. I finally took her to a psycologist who within 10 minutes of just talking, no tests were taken, accused me of being Mom's problem, that we had a toxic relationshio and I needed to stay away from her. After testing and a ct scan the psycologist explained to the family how surprised she was by Mom's results and she had probable Alzheimers disease. I never received an apology. This is from a geriactric psycologist. How can we find our way when our 'guides' are lost too?
My husband is in the second stage of Alzheimers, he has had 4 strokes as well. Does anyone have any ideas or information on when the caregiver is seeing symptoms of the alz, or the strokes. I am at a loss as this has been going on since 9/2008 when the last 2 strokes hit. His Alz, set in sometime around 2004. I am now seeing tremors beginning along with seizures. I am his full time care giver and have PT OT and HA as he just got out of the hospital again. This time he can't seem to get the momentum to even try to walk again.
I agree with everything that the writer has said. With my husband's dementia I feel that I am on a long trip without a map, and little to no help with the early stages of that trip.
I also tried to persuade my husband's primary doctor for a test and referral for three years without success. At the beginning I was able to go to a lawyer and get our wills and other items in order. Then my husband went down faster and I wrote out at least 10 concerns about his not knowing how to drive to locations, not being able to write a check, etc. but all my pleas were ignored. It took an unrelated operation with a specialist who became concerned about a my husband's mental state while my husband was in the hospital after the operation. The specialist convinced the primary doctor there was a problem. My husband is now on meds but 3 years has passed. I am ever grateful to the specialist as I am not sure that I could ever convince the primary doctor that something was wrong. This attitude on the part of primary care doctors needs to change.
I most certainly agree. Drs should listen those that person closest to the one with AD. My husband came home in the middle of the day almost 20 years ago and had quit his job. He was a wonderful science teacher. I thought he was going going thru a mid life crises or something. But then he started added synptoms. Getting lost, asking the same questions, mood swings, I had asked our dr to test him and see what he thought I had been telling symptoms for years now. Cannot remember or find bathroom, Does not change his clothes, Needs to stop driving .Now is confused about dates, current one and the list goes on and on. He has his MS's in psy and chemistry. Knows 7 languages and could pass that test the dr gave him at any time. But according to our dear dr "he in no way has AD" If Aricept helps I would like to try it. On the news they keep saying if you catch it early here is a good drug. Well drs are not catching it early at all and it is a shame. I am very disappointed with the medican society.
I have been trying to persuade my husband's primary doctor to raise the question of testing at a regular check-up for three years. He refuses to do so as he does not see any symptoms at office visits. My husband is very resistant to being testing based on my request but I believe he would respond more positively to a medical professional. In the last year there has been a more rapid decline in memory, judgement, personality change and iniative but his doctor steadfastly refuses to intervene and I am at wits end since I cannot take any legal action to protect our assets from my husband's bad judgement without some support.
My father was in the same category of being diagnosed late, although he was not early onset. While he was diagnosed at the age of 77, when i go back and read the physicians notes from that day, he could not tell what the month or day was, and was far enough along that he was missing memories of major events in his live-e.g. thought he retired from his career as a surgeon 5-6 years ago when in fact it had been 15 or 17 years. This makes me wonder about the validity of the "average" span from diagnosis to death that are often published. Most often i see an average of 8 years cited, but it seems to me that with these late diagnoses, the period of time of impaitment is probably much longer than 8 years on average.
BRAVO for this inspection of the earlier symptoms. My wife has had increasing symptoms for about 3 years. She needs to get out of the house and integrated with similar people -- she can't understand what's going on in the Real World, but is appalled at the low level of cognizance at any "support groups". There has to be some kind of intermediate groups where the mind is still somewhere in there but not down to the level of cutting out paper dolls.
My mother showed first signs of Alzheimer's disease when she was 75 and now she is 91. As I have been her caregiver for the past 6 years, I find that she is "smarter" in bringing back memories when we talk to her more often. We show her repeatedly how to take care of herself, she can follow what we did. She is not on medication for this ailment and the consulting doctor agrees we try out other non-medication means. We find that she can recite prayers after reading it daily and this is an amazing memory improvement during the past year. Just want to share with all caregivers that talking patiently to the patient and sharing old time memories, impersonate ourselves with puppet toys will keep the patient lively and talkative...we are inspired by an ancient Chinese saying " pretend to be a toddler to keep your parents happy when they are old and becomes forgetful" [from the 24 stories of filial children]. IT WORKS !!!
my maternal grandmother had early onset alz started @ 63. My mom always said I hope I never get it or end up like that. She said that she would not want me to let her live like that.My mom is 62 and to me and my dad is exhibiting small symptoms. Forgets recent conversations. Repeats the same story to me right after she finishes it. Both my dad and I have mentioned to her that she is showing symptoms and should go to the dr. to poss start medicine to help slow it. But she is in denial she gets mad and upset for us even mentioning the possibility! I do not know what to do. How do i get her help when she doesn't want it? It is breaking my heart. I do not know what to do. Has anyone else had this same problem? Anybody have any recommendations? Her twin sister seems to have the same symptoms but a lot worse. She can't remember to take her meds and ca no longer drive. My mom says her sister does not have alz. Just has something wrong with her memory.
I grieve for all of you who have had to endure dufus docs and inaccurate diagnoses. In South Bend IN, we are fortunate to have a state-of-the-art Geropsych Center, as well as other Alzheimers services. I recommend going to a specialist as soon as possible after even suspecting AD. Diagnosis is improving all the time. I subscribe to Science Daily on the web, and have seen articles on a new eye test that shows diagnostic promise, and a similar encouraging report about a brain scan (not front temporal) that can reveal biomarkers indicating AD. It seems to me that if several tests come out positive, that increases the odds of early and accurate diagnosis. And yes, a misdiagnosis of AD when it is really something else is a total disservice, if not indeed a violation of the Hypocratic Oath
I can relate to so many of your stories. I especially would like to respond to Mary Lou who stated she wasn't sure which world to be in theirs or ours.I strongly urge you and everyone dealing with this terrible disease to get a book written by,Joanne Koenig Coste,called "Learning to Speak Alzheimers". I promise you it is a lifesaver. Her husband was diagnosed in his early 40's. I heard her speak in Massachusetts and she is awesome. My mother has suffered with Alz. and is in the final stages. My heart goes out to each and every one of you.
great work
Excellent article. I totally agree with the writer's suggestions about listening and providing services. I, too, have Alzheimer's--diagnosed about a year ago with a PET scan. I suggest that doctor's listen to what the patient has to say also. Oftimes, the patient is aware that something unusual is happening but they aren't sure what exactly. Fortunately, my doctor listened to me because he respects me as having been a former psychologist. He ordered the scan and ordered appropriate medication. Now, a year later, he says if it were not for that scan, he would question the diagnosis. I agree with him at times; yet other times I recognize the signs as still being there; its just that I have not progressed as far as expected in the past year--and I've learned to compensate for many of the symptoms. I hate going to other doctors who do not listen and treat me as the proverbial patient who doesn't know what she is talking about. Lois
In my work as a Speech Pathologist, I see the diagnosis of Alzheimers Disease given much too often to individuals and this becomes a permanemt label or diagnosis in the medical chart. This diagnosis is very often given to a person with just a brief interview by the family physician or other Physician. I think more of an effort should be made by the medical community to diagnose exact type of Dementia since there are numerous numerous types wtih various etiologies and some are treatable or manageable. It seems as though AD has become a wastebasket term. I recently went to a conference given by a Neuropsychologist and she stated that if Aricept, for example, is given to a Patient w/o AD, it could be devastating and cause cerebral hemorrahge. Comprehensive testing and overall evaluation inc. medical/nutritional/neurological/neuropsychological, is paramount.
My husband was diagnosed the day before his 54th birthday. He is supposedly already at moderate stages of the disease. I am an RN, noticed things and asked questions about them to his physicians for years (I can track up to 10yrs). "At his age that can't be possible". I continued to observe & try to communicate with doctors NOT paying attention. I've since learned: the spouse is often the first to recognize and beaware of concerns; the person who has the disease frequently finds excuses for their behaviors and doctors believe them; it is more cost effective to find the diagnosis and begin a plan of care early on than to do all the 'stupid' what-if's in the middle. Demand a PET scan! There needs to be a class for physicians already in practice on how to discern, how to really listen and ways to support the couple/family. For all those with spouses with early age onset: get the legal forms signed right away that provide you with the power/ability to be present and constantly informed of all medical appointments and to have medical decision making from the date signed and forward. Those of us in this situation have a very different path than those in their 80's at diagnosis. Both are awful situations but there is a difference in life capabilities, living with the diagnosis and longer term decision making. It is very complex and few support group abilities available. Everything is pretty much set up for those older than 70 and their families.
Good Article! And Oh so TRUE! My husband and I had the same frustrating experiences with his dad who died of Alzheimers. His doctor was a total dufus when it came to Dad's early (and middle) symptoms, and when dad was "on stage," he could cover up quite well. The top frustration was trying to get the dufus doc to take away his driver's license. Fortunately, Dad eventually failed his eye test and no lives were lost.
I guess the most challenging for me is to see my parent gradually lose interest in things she loved so much. But the hardest is not knowing what to tell her when she asks about her mental condition. and then do you live in their world or try to bring them to yours? I never know which is the right answer. I cry myself to sleep and my mother always thinks she is a burden. If she only knew that I am crying because I am losing her and that alone is my burden. Thank you for having an avenue to express my feelings. Just being patient with her seems to help so much and she always seems grateful for anything. I know I will have hard days ahead but trying to work full time and care for my mother (83) sometimes just takes a toll. But I feel so privaleged to have my mother for as long as I can.
My husband was diagnosed at age 58 by his GP as severe depression due to stress from his job at Central Command (following 9/11). He saw a neurologist because he was presenting with a tremor in his left leg at the time and that was diagnosed as esssential tremor. We finally went to a movement disorder specialist who determined he had cognitive impairment along with the tremor (not Parkinson's) and refered him to psychiatriy at Univ. of S. Florida for testing. They determined he had probable Alzheimer's. We studied up on it and he was put on Reminyl and Namenda. Further testing by another neurologist diagnosed him with frontal temporal degeneration. I am of the opinion that many who are diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's actually may have another type of dementia of the FTD type or Pick's disease. There is still so much to learn about the brain and the only way to firmly diagnose is with autopsy of the brain. If all those who are afflicted with dementia would donate their brain upon death, we might learn a lot more about the various diseases of the brain and ways to diagnose at an earlier stage. There are many Alzheimer's support groups and they are very informative and helpful. Groups are also forming for FTD support, as these usually strike people in their 50's and 60's.
Some added complications I discovered when caring for my Mom, who died last year: As the patient still living at home becomes more debilitated, physically or emotionally, it may be extremely difficult to get him or her to the doctor's office. But most doctors won't do home visits; and, since billable hours are based on interactions with the patient, not the caregiver, one can't go in to see the doctor for an update and leave the patient at home. Some doctors are willing to allow interactions by email and telephone, but most would be too busy. Those patients moving to assisted living facilities or nursing homes will be visited by new doctors, with little background on those patients. They can't schedule a time when the family caregiver can plan on being there, so they don't get the wealth of info available from that person. They may prescribe new drugs without permission from the family member, even when that person has medical power of attorney. In some cases it is annoyingly difficult to get corrected the medication errors that arise in these circumstances.
I agree 100% with Allan. My father had Alzheimer's; he passed away in 2000. But prior to this, he was fiercely independent, living in his own home in a community 45-50 minutes drive away from me. He objected to my 'interfering' in his life. He wanted to do his own shopping, etc, etc, but would remember only one item to buy, and lost his way walking home. CCAC (Community Care ) 'assessed' him, said he was capable and I should involve myself less, take a 'holiday' and not worry so much. Eventually, I was driving to his home 6 days a week, to share a meal with him, keep his home tidied and clean, prepare meals for him. pay his utilities and property taxes. He could not keep track of these things himself. He was finally hospitalized when he had a 'silent' heart attack. He thought I had put him in an 'old people's home' and called me every name under the sun. I felt I was fighting a battle on my own. My only real support was my local Alzheimer's support group, (in my community, not his). When in Rehab, he fell, because of another silent heart attack, and broke his hip in the fall. Because of the heart attack, they could not do hip replacement surgery, and he passed away within 3-4 weeks, in hospital, just after his 93rd birthday. What remains with me was how I was criticized rather than supported, even by my brother and his family who lived within 10 minutes drive of my father's home. They seemed to feel that I was taking advantage of my father.
I so understand the frustration of all here. My husband was told to go on LOA due to memory loss at age 59. After testing, diagnosis is MCI and depression....they gave him meds, but he "tweaks the dosage ALL the time. The doctor at the memory loss clinic asked ME questions, next visit he reviewed and said, "wife said....blah blah, that is IF we can believe her....WHAT???? Why would I lie????" I have settled into a routine = NEVER knowing what comes next...but I stay extremely calm, that has helped us both!! He is easily aggitated - I have gotten better at "detaching" and keeping the focus on me and taking care of me too. Good luck to everyone out there. God bless us everyone!!
I'm 70 years old and the wife /caretaker of husband who has been diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's. The other part of his problem is vascular dementia from years of heart problems. I find myself very stressed and "almost" alone in this battle. He doesn't believe he has a problem and refuses to attend any day programs - thinks they are really sick people and will never go back. He still can socialize to a point and wants to go somewhere everyday to visit any friends or relative. I am so burned out from driving (he lost his license last spring) and tending to him, that I long for someone to accompany him even 1 day out of the week. He is much worse than he appears and the doctors prescribe some meds that pep him up even more. Need help for someone like him who is not quite that bad yet. Best of luck to everyone out there.
How true! It took me over 2 years and me finding the source for my husband to be diagnosed. Family internist was not help. All that time wasted when he could have been on the meds. Many doctors really do "practice" medicine instead of listening to those who live it 24/7 - it is so darn frustrating when you look to them for help that does not come!!!!!!!!!!!
Allan, you have written a great letter, and I agree 100% with your comments that doctors should pay more attention to concerned spouses. After two visits to my husband's GP I still had to insist that he be tested, and then insist on a referral to a specialist. So far, the diagnosis is mild cognitive impairment, and his condition is finally being monitored by a psychiatrist trained and experienced in this area. The problems with repeating questions and forgetting information was just glossed over or completely ignored.
I understand what you are saying when you say that most doctors do not pay much attention to you when you try to describ what is going on.
From a PET scan the radiologist suggested a diagnosis of frontal temperol dementia. What you have said about a Dr. listening to a spouse's input in right on the mark. The neurologist I am seeing finds no problem with my cognitive abilities over a six month span, however my wife always accompanies me and he pays attention to her observations. He admits having a problem coming to a conclusion as yet. He agrees with the PET scan diagnosis, yet his test of my cognitive abilities are contrary. On the other hand if someone were to follow me around constantly they would observe memory problems, anger outbursts,etc. I will give my neurologist credit as he listens to what my wife tells him and wants to see me back again in another six months to note any changes. Doctors, you need to listen to your patients and those close to them. We senior citizens have lived in our bodies for many years, we do get to know when something is not right and as for our actions those closest to us see the changes.
Thank you for your letter. It is so true. I have the privilege of working with the elderly, many of whom have Alzheimer's disease. Not only are many physicians slow to listen to concerns but many want to just prescribe a pill to fix it. Sometimes helpful but many times the medications are more harmful. Good luck with your wife. There are many good people and services available that can support you and her.
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from website advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse non-Mayo products and services.
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.


text:
The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Like Thud, The Fifth Elephant is a discworld novel that centers around commander Sam Vimes and the watch (the Ankh Morpork police force). In The Fifth Elephant, Sam Vimes is sent on a diplomatic mission upon which he must ensure that the new "low king" of the dwarves is crowned and save the foreign city from usurpation by an "old-school" werewolf.
Although the book is entertaining and humorous, I did not enjoy it as much as I did Thud. As I mentioned in that review, perhaps it's the reading (I listed to an audio recording) that made Thud so enjoyable. I would recommend Pratchett to someone looking for some light reading. He does provide some insight into human behavior and the dialogue and writing often contains puns and other humor. I don't count myself a Pratchett-fanatic (though I think there are some die-hard fans out there), but I've enjoyed what I've read of his.


text:
Hi, I'm having a dog shower put in our garage and am having trouble figuring out what to put on the shower floor. I originally thought we'd just have plain cement with a drain, like you see in horse barns for cleaning the horses, but the GC said no. Instead, he bought a pre-formed vinyl shower pan, and I said no, b/c I'm pretty sure my labrador retriever's nails will do a lot of damage and it will look terrible in short order. I was also hoping for something very low maintenanance, as in hose it off and call it a day.
My next thought was to do 1" mesh slate tiles, because they look nice and are rough. Not good either; I've read they flake, and the slate colors bleed into the grout. Does anyone know of a porcelain tile that has a lot of texture for traction, and that comes in a fairly natural, darker look? Thanks for any help! |
Follow-Up Postings:
Smarge... I wouldn't rule out slate...we have slate in an older home (it's about 60 years old). We've lived there 15 years and have never done a thing to it and it gets abused by our chocolate lab and we use this entry way...daily! It's constantly getting wet and muddy....when I do get around to wiping it down it looks just fine...but I'm sure others here will give you good advice. We too are considering such a doggie set up in a future home build ..I would LOVE to see a floor plan of this area to see how you're setting it up! Thanks. |
- Posted by piegirltoo (My Page) on Mon, Jan 7, 08 at 12:24
Dog shower? I'm envious!! Do you think you might want a raised platform or tub for washing your dog? I wash my 3 dogs outside. I finally figured out my back feels a WHOLE lot better if I have the dog stand up on the deck which is about 30 inches above the ground where I stand. I think a 1" square tile would be fine. Maybe unglazed porcelain? Good luck! |
- Posted by bill_vincent (email@example.com) on Mon, Jan 7, 08 at 17:51
What about doing the concrete and painting it with an epoxy paint? You could even add sand to the paint to give it a little slip resistance, if you like. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Bathrooms Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here