Expert: Michalene Peticca - 6/17/2007

Question
MY MOTHER HAS IT.SHE LIVES WITH MY SISTER HALF MILE AWAY . I HAVE HER 3 HRS IN MORNING AND ON SATURDAYS.MY SIS HAS JUST TOLD ME SHE IS GIVING MOM TO ME AND SHE IS MOVING 50 MILES AWAY.MOMS IN I BELIEVE STAGE 6.SHE IS STAYING UP all night . HOW LONG DOES THIS STAGE LAST? im also raising my 10 year old grandaughter my husband is 75 with a bad heart do you think i can handle this ? im worried about it realy bad.

Answer
Hello Sandy,
Thank you for writing.   It sounds like you have a big decision coming up soon.

Everyone is different as they progress through the stages of Alzheimer's.  So, it is hard to predict the timeline of how long your mother will stay the way she is.  One thing is certain, she will progress eventually and that may be a challenge in the future for you.

I would suggest you talk to your sister about how your family feels on Long term care placement if you find it is really challenging for you to take care of your mother.

Please visit some local nursing homes and get familiar with their services.  Also, please go to your local Office of Aging and apply for Medical assistance (if your mom doesn't already have it) and perhaps start with some home care from the Aging office to at least give you a break during the day.

It is wonderful that your family wants to care for your mother, it is also going to be a big challenge so please find as much help at home that you can and then decide as time goes on.

Best Regards,
Michalene Peticca  M.A.