Hi everyone. We just added this new section to help build some personal connections amongst group members. When I facilitate a live support group one of the first things we all do is introduce ourselves. Helps "break the ice." Lets everyone know that they have a common thread to tie them together, or find out something new about that person. So I thought that it would be even more important in this "virtual" support group to try and personalize the experience.

So let me introduce myself. I'm Sean. I am 39 years old (seems old to me). I am an attorney who specializes in a field called elder law. I serve the legal needs of that "older" generation. One particular area that I focus on is qualifying clients for Medicaid benefits to pay the cost of long-term care, nursing homes, assisted living, and home care.

I sit on the Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors for the Florida Gulfcoast where I hope to make a difference by providing leadership on the issues surrounding Alzheimer's. My exposure to this terrible disease through thousands of clients has left an indelible mark on me. A mark that has inspired me to create this online Alzheimer's support group. I am a huge proponent of the support group concept. One of the best benefits that the Alzheimer's Association provides is the sponsorship and coordination of the live support groups. The real world benefit that these groups provides the family dealing with Alzheimer's in amazing. It's my hope that this online version can provide a similar kind of benefit.

So far this disease has missed me and my family, although I am beginning to see some signs in my own mother. Someday I predict that I will have to use my experience guiding others through the disease process on myself.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sean W. Scott, Esq.,

Hi Sean and everyone else.

I'm Gregory M from South Pasadena (thats in Pinellas County, not California) I am 54 years old and am taking care of my mother. I have moved back to take care of her after living in San Francisco for the last 10 years. It has been quite a shocker! I have posted a couple of times and found the responses very helpful. Thanks to everyone.

Hello Everyone!
My name is Lisa Milne and I am the Program Specialist for the Alzheimer's Association-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. I work in the Pinellas office so anyone who needs information on Alzheimer's disease or related dementia please feel free to call me at (727) 578-2558. On a personal note, I am recently married. I also just received my Master's degree in Gerontology from USF. I have been with the Association for almost 2 years and I was drawn to this field because of the experience my family had with my great aunt who had dementia due to a brain tumor. I hope that if any of you need assistance, you will call the Alzheimer's Association becuase we are here to support YOU!

Hello, my name is Cookie and I'm soon to be 60 years of age. About a year ago, my Mom (who is now 85) was diagnosed to be in early stages of Alzheimer's. When the doctor first said that awful word "Alzheimer's" I just flat out did not believe him. Sure she repeated herself & she certainly told the same stories over, over, & over again .... but heck, she'd been doing that for a couple years. I am now a believer. I do not tend to her daily needs,she has companions, found through an agency who stay with her 24hours a day. I've found lots of clinical type information on this illiness but so far no practical information .... some that would help me know what is to be expected as it progresses. For example: in the last few weeks she has awakened on four separate occassions saying that there was a spider on her bed. She does not appear to be frightened by it but she wants it gone. Once, I took the entire room apart .... not only was there no spider, there wasn't even a spider web to be found anywhere in the room, including the inside of her closets. It'd be a good thing to know if this is some form of the disease, is there something else that might cause her to see things that aren't there, OR is there really a spider and we just can't find it. Whew! That sure was more than I'd plan to say. I think I am going to very pleased to have found this site. Thank you for being here and for reading my post.

I am computer illiterate...just trying to get some local knowledge...my mom has moderate AD, home care is in place but she needs more opportunity for social, phsical and cognitive stim.

Hi,
My Mother is 77yrs old and is living with me. She has alzheimers. She was living in Indianapolis. My brother could not deal with her anymore so he flew to Florida with her doggie. She is living with us now. I had my Mom going to the Liberty Club Senior in New Tampa. I went to pick her up and she was gone, she has walked out the back door. I was so scared. They did not even realize she was gone. Behind the club there was a Deputy Sheriff sub station, I reported my Mom missing. She had walked a mile on a busy street. She went to a shell gas station/dominos pizza they realize she was confused. They called the deputy sheriffs office and said someone fitting my Mothers description was there. They kept her there until I got her. She was ok, thank God. I was so upset with the Liberty Club Senior, the director there was putting all the blame on my Mother. Needless to say i will never take her there again. They did not have a alarm on the door and was very easy for my Mom to just walk out. It has been a while since my Mother-in law so I did not even think to check these things out. I will do better next time. As far as Mom goes she does not remember a thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Debby Collins,

My Mom does see things that are not there. We live next to a pond and accross is conservation. She sometimes thinks or sees the dead palm leaves and talks about them as people and that they are walking around. She checks to make sure the doors are locked constantly. She also has said someone has been looking in the window. But, if you ask her any multiplication problem she will give you the answers without hesitation. It truely is amazing. I am learning every day new ways of copeing with my Mom. Patience is key and also that I just agree with everything. And she is always right. She can get a little rebellious at times. Especially if she feels she is not doing something right. For example she was heating up a piece of chicken in microwave and turned it on for 12 minutes my husband tried to explain to her she got so mad at him. He went back to his home office and 5 minutes checked on her and she was so happy to see him. I really am grateful she is with us and I know I will never regret this special time I am spending with my Mom. This is our second go around with alzheimers my Mother in law lived with us as well several years ago. I can tell you some stories. Anyway, I pray alot and am praying for all of you. This is really nice to share and know I am not alone.

Hello, my name is Alisa and I live in Lehigh. My grandmother was diagnosed with AD about 14 years ago. Believe me.. we had no idea what it was and that it was even a real disease. We were NOT prepared for the toll it would take on my grandmother or the toll it would take on my family. I now work with AD patients in a Nursing Home setting. I see it as my duty to help the family members deal with the situation like no one did for my family. It helps them, but in turn, it helps me.
I am a new memeber here, and I cant wait to jump in with both feet and go through all you have to offer.
Thank You

Hi my name is Debbie and my sisters and I had to make the decision to put our mother into a nursing home. It was really hard doing that but we found out later that we had made the correct choice when we found evidience that she'd had a fire in her microwave and didn't remember it and was not paying her bills anymore. One of my sisters had received a call from the city telling her that mom was about to have her water shut off for nonpayment. (These kinds of calls are done in towns of 300 or less people because everyone knows everyone and they watch out for each other). We were lucky enough to beable to place her in a home that my brother was already living in because of a tramatic brain injury and being in a wheelchair. I will look forward to hearing about information to help us understand mom and her decline. He doctor said we may have about 2 yrs until she may not know us anymore. I would like to make the most of that time while we have it. Maybe with this group I will not feel like I am alone in this situation.