Expert: Michalene Peticca - 6/30/2008

Question
my grandma is 87 and diagnosed with Alzheimer she is over 50% according to doctors. My question is she has fractured ribs and seems to be in a lot of pain, can some of the pain be caused by Alzheimer because she is in rehab and when we go visit her she starts with all her pains/aches but before we get there she is happy with the other patients and occasionally states she is in pain. What can we do we are so confused, any suggestions?

Answer
Hello Char,
Thank you for writing.

I do not think your grandmother's pain is related to her Alzheimer's, although i am sure she is in a lot of pain.

We tend to feel so comfortable around family that our families hear "all the bad things" while our friends hear all the good things.

Quite normal and if you compare her to other family members or yourself, i'm sure you'll find we all react in the same manner.

I'd suggest giving her a lot of love and let her complain...it's because she feels secure with you as family.

Best Regards,

Michalene Peticca, M.A.