I received this in my email this evening from the alzheimers reading room -- On Sunday May 1st, CNN will air the first Larry King special, premiering at 8pm ET/PT and will be titled “Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Epidemic.”...
You can go to: http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2011/04/unthinkable-alzheimers-epidemic-to-air.html
They are really advertising this program so I will record it and watch it when dh is in bed. Easter Sunday is an odd day to air a show like this. Let's hope they did a lot of good research.
Hello, I haven't posted for a long while. Busy working, having an 18 year old, Mom with Alz, and DH with ALZ at home. Anyway, on CNN I caught a brief clip of actor Seth Rogen and his fiancee talking about her mother who is 55 and has ALZ. They will be featured on this CNN special on May 1st. I think it is very interesting to hear this (twenty something) age group discuss ALZ as they are distinguishing between early-onset, which directly affects them and their relationship to a parent vs older onset about which they have previously not not paid any attention to since it seemed just a regular part of older people aging. I have two twenty something children and I know their Dad's ALZ has affected them in many ways. I will ask them to watch Seth Rogen and fiancee speak because, like myself, I know they feel somewhat isolated in that they do not know anyone else with a parent with this disease. My older two (the twenty somethings) are at the age where they are finding their way in the world, thinking about marriage and the future. Their Dad has been diagnosed for five years now and is not able to be a complete part of any of their accomplishments.
Alz. Assn is sending out Maria Shriver's report. Read it...very interesting. Although the family suffered the emotional and physical problems we all do, they didn't have to worry about financial. They always had caregivers with them to make things easier. I think she will be on the May 1 special with Larry King and I am sure they will abbreviate some of the report.
I have the DVR set to record it and I will watch it later. Since they are going to have AD victims speaking too I think I will play it so DH can watch it since he does not verbalize what his world is now like.
I know Maria Shriver is doing a good thing to get more awareness of AD, as said above their family had unlimited resources! I find it difficult coping AD spouse and juggling finances. I'm not saying they suffered emotionally any less but let's get real. If all I had to worry about was taking care of AD spouse I might not be so stressed! Sorry for this rant, I just get tired. Will watch program.
DH & I are watching this right now & this is what I wrote our 4 kids as a message on facebook. Hi Kids, Just a note to tell you that Dad & I are watching a news special with Larry King about Alzheimer’s disease. I wasn’t going to watch it, but then I thought it would be interesting to see his reaction to the report. So far he said, “Wow that scares me to death.” So far he isn’t relating any of this to himself. He really is watching it very closely. He wants to go to bed. I told him that he could go but that I am watching this program. So far he is staying to watch it. I’m not going to try to have him relate to losing his memory because it won’t do any good. I’ll let you know if he says anything. Mom 123 He just again said that it scares him. He truly doesn’t associate any of the symptoms to himself, but then he never did. He never accepted the initial dx of early dementia.
I just finished watching this program. I actually, thought is was well done. I was glad they expressed that this disease was just not for older people. I felt it addressed the stress that caregivers suffer.
Janet, I think that was the first time on in special regarding dementia, that it was made clear that it is a fatal disease. Also, was impressed that the mentioned the amount of money spent on Cancer & Aids, dementia was little in comparison.
Agree with Kadee and Janet, but overall was disappointed. Why, oh why can't they do a mandatory viewing show featuring spouses from this site? Now that would open eyes and maybe wallets.
It was a good start. I hope the numbers scared enough people to push for more money for research. I wasn't impressed with the advice-eat blueberries, do puzzles and work out. My husband and most of yours (and wives) did live prudent lives. By the way-I did complete the Sunday crossword puzzle while watching the program. Too many commercials-which is why I don't watch much TV.
while its a start in the awareness issues and concerns for the huge population that will be at the mercy of the disease, i also was disappointed. larry king didnt have a clue it seemed and repeated the same question to each interviewee. how did you feel when they didnt recognize you? while it is a turning point in the disease it is not the only devastating personality change as we well know. plus these again were about parents and mainly caregivers who could financially afford to hire caregivers for the so needed respite. it makes a big difference when most of us do not have family support or unlimited finances AND its our spouses. divvi
I was disappointed. I know they weren't going to show the nitty gritty of the disease but it only skimmed the surface. My dh watched it with me and I was concerned but I had nothing to worry about. He never for a moment thought it had anything to do with him. In fact when it was over he said, "that's one thing about me, I am great and remember all about money and numbers in particular." This is the guy that keeps asking how the money gets into our checking account, never asks how much we have but insists I am doing something with all the money he earned in his lifetime.
I am convinced Maria Shriver was behind the whole show. Trying to force the government to fund research with more money.
dissappointed! Big hype over Larry King getting a MRI. Go Larry! He should walk in our shoes just one day. Feel like they were just selling commercial air time! Don't know what I really expected! D---- this disease.
It was a good start but I think the series of specials done previously was much better. I did like the price of what all the caregiver/caretaker would cost is had to be paid for - in the billions each year. I liked what Angie Dickinson said which some here feel 'I am sad for them but pray it goes quickly'. But, I disagree that there is no sadness for me. Sadness for the losses we have, the things that will never be, etc. Sad for my spouse for the same reasons.
I hope this will not be the end, but only the beginning of more awareness to come..
I agree with bluedaze* about the commercials. You would think they could have found sponsors who wouldn't require so many commercials. It was pretty basic to me, but I guess anything that's put out there is good. I do wish they would do more on showing the caregivers who don't have the family or finances to help with care. This is the biggie as far as I'm concerned.
They mentioned the cost of this disease to the country, they did not connect the dots, the cost of this disease to the family. You would think they would have had some long term care commercials.
I liked the part with the redheaded twin daughters taking care of BOTH parents with dementia, and also the granddaughters are involved. They mentioned they do 24/7 caregiving; apparently, there is no hired help. They should have devoted more of the show to that family and the devastating effect the disease is having on all their lives.
I watched it with my DH also, I was so nervous I almost turned it off, but like many of you have stated, he made no connection that this is the disease he has. I guess in a way I am thankful for that. I am glad it made it to the news, but I think they really only scratched the surface. Maybe it peaked some curiosity though?
I had that same concern—since it was at 8, there wasn't a way for me to watch it without Jeff watching too, and I was a little afraid it would depress him. But he just watched passively, the way he watches everything nowadays, and made no comment. I take this as a sign of decline that he didn't even seem to connect with it.
Anosognosia is my new word for 2011: a "condition in which a person who suffers a disability seems unaware of the existence of his or her disability." I echo what so many have said. My DH is not in denial, but seems to believe that he has no real problem. I find it hard to wrap my head around the concept, but I see it manifested every day.
I watched the re-airing last night with my DH. He didn't comment on the show or the topic but when they showed the neurologcal test with animal pictures, he identified the animals (as to prove to him/me he does not have this disease.)
I was disappointed in the show - I too wish they had focused more on the family with both AD parents and selfishly, I guess, I wish they had highlighted those with dementia who are in their 50's and their spouses because I still believe there is truly the belief out there that it is mostly an older persons disease. It was a start.
I already commented on this, but I have one more thing to say. If I remember correctly they had parents with children as caregivers, a sister relationship, a grandchild & grandparent relationship, but what relationship was woefully missing? Spouse. Oh, except for the very short blurb about Nancy & Ronald Reagan. You know what the problem with this type of report on any kind of tragedy? The “Oh that would never happen to me” society that we live in, & I for one WAS guilty of that. You just don’t think it will happen to you especially if there is no family history or if you don’t know the family history. Well my kids are well aware that they might have this in their future.
I attend a small country Church and I was thinking last night - Of the 60 average attendance, including children, I personally know 4 who have Alzheimer's. Have any of the rest of you noticed how many in your Churches, or Synagogs (sp) or other groups, you can "tell" have dementia? Rather scary...
You ask about can you tell. I have noticed my BIL and some of the things he is doing. Reminds me of DH. Am I really seeing it. I know BIL is on many meds, could that be it. I know more than once my sister has said, my husband does the same thing, when talking about my DH and what he has done in the past. I know of two people at work who have spouses with AD. I sometimes worry I am seeing it everywhere.
No doubt, we will begin to see it "everywhere," and having lived with it intimately, we are going to be more attuned to the signs than average. I find though, on the other hand, I am very much inclined to notice older folk who clearly do not have it. You can see the focus and brightness in their eyes and moves, and know it's not there.
We have had a breakfast group from church for the past 15 years or more. During the past 4 years, we have lost 1 from liver cancer - but she was also in the beginning stages of AD; 1 from pancreatic cancer, he also had AD; one from heart failure - also had AD; one is now on dialysis - also has AD. We have 4 others that still come whom I KNOW is in the beginning stages.
You are right, we recognize the symptoms earlier than most who have not been where we are.
I too was disappointed about the 2 primary issues - spouse and no outside help. The only comments I get are "put in home." Told the social worker at the hospital that when the day came that I knew it was right for PJ, would do. But it isn't right for us now. Still doesn't help with having someone to share the responsibilities and the emotional drain. Show never addressed those issues which, if our children were watching, they need to understand. Also need addressed - issue of people we should be able to consider have understanding. Why our church comes to visit PJ and acts like I have no problem and should leave him and be in church. In the past 3 yrs, not one single call from lead pastor, only "visitation" (for PJ). That really sucks. Sorry but that is the only word that describes the hurt. I'll nominate so many of you to be on the show telling how it really is for spouses. Because PJ can't walk, I haven't had that horrible worry of him taking off and getting lost. Blessings to those of you who survive these kinds of events.
Agree with Angie's response! Today's news - nursing home care for single room in DC area hits 108,000/yr.