Dad is 85, not yet diagnosed.

Mom is 80, stage 7 alz.

Me, 62. If I survive their old age it will be a miracle. A miracle.

I am grateful for zanex.

That's kind of how I feel about my sister.  I need to out live that girl, and sometimes there are days where I feel like I'm hanging on by a thread.

Tea and chocolate -- and therapy --- help.

 I'm so sorry about your dad, abc. One parent is rough enough, two must be overwhelming.

I'm like you in that I have no idea where Peggy's Alzheimer's came from, like your dad. I quizzed all of the relatives, we did a genetic test -- nothing. Her diagnosis was a bolt from the blue. All I can think of at this point is pesticides (including benzene).

Therapists are expensive. I use mine sparingly. I write up lists of things I want to talk about so that I squeeze value out of every minute. She's given me a lot of good advice since my sister's diagnosis.

I'm familiar with that deep dark hole, from which there is no escape.  There are ways of temporary escape though. Different things work for different people. For me, my biggest escape is music. I might tend toward goth/industrial, but I listen to a lot of things - Pink Floyd, '80s music like Duran Duran, Gregorian chants -- anything that takes me out of that Alzheimer's space just for a little while. All of it helps. Physical activity also helps, dancing is great, even if it's only in the living room. I'm determined not to let the stress do me in, at least not yet.

Abc, where are you? There are soo many of us on here trying to find you! I pray with all my heart you are well! I wonder about how your precious mom is doing. I understand sometimes we just need time out and away from this forum. So much pain that sometimes it’s just too much, and still try to care for our own love one with ad. 

PLEASE know you are loved and respected by many, myself included. God bless you, Abc123! 

Both of my parents moved to an assisted living facility that will take them through end-of-life stages as long as they don't need tubes or wires (which they don't want).  Dad has Alzheimer's, is 88 years old, in the moderate stage, and seems to be progressing rather quickly.  Mom is 87, has mild cognitive decline, has been taking care of Dad, but couldn't handle the changes that he was going through.  A few months ago, I got their permission to look for a facility, should they need it in the future.  While I was looking, I found a nice one that was perfectly suited to their interests and near their friends and favorite restaurants.  They didn't want to leave their beautiful home, but they understood that it was time, especially after they took a tour of the facility and went through a couple of scares with Dad.  We are still in the transitioning stage, but it seems to be working.  Regarding therapy, I did seek it out.  In fact, I sought that out before looking for a facility for my parents.  I have Medicare, and it covers all the cost of therapy.  The place where I go has a sliding scale for those without insurance, so it really is affordable.  If you need therapy, there are usually places to go that are not terribly expensive.  I hope that you can find one of those places because it is worth it!