My mother is in late stages Alzheimer's and woke up this morning exhibiting an almost involuntary flailing arm movement accompanied by an audible moan (not pain); she also missed a chair and fell to the floor -- something she has never done before -- as if she had lost her balance/motor skills. She was taken to the ER, examined, brain scan normal, released. She has been in the wandering around the house stage for quite some time (almost two years) and has assisted care in my sister's home 24/7; she is also incontinent, barely verbal, with minimal comprehension. Among her meds are Excel and Zyprexa. She was on Namenda for little over a month which improved her verbal capacity but led to more erratic outbursts and overall management issues. I know there are some posters who work with the elderly or have been in a similar situation such as ours, with a late stages Alzheimer's victim. I would greatly appreciate opinions/input. I read somewhere that this might have something to do with entering the terminal phase. Unfortunately, my mother is only 75 and first started manifesting symptoms ten years ago. I'm so weak from my own autoimmune disease right now that I can't go running to her side ... all I have is this computer for research, my phone for hearing word, and my TV for company.

Hi, Laurie I am a nurse also (for the past 17 years). I work in neonatal intensive care and I love it. Scheduled for surgery June 15th. Connie

That's funny Karen, I have to remember everyday why I wanted to be a nurse. Then I feel blessed for being one!! Tanya RN

Hi, I admire you working in such a high stress job. I have worked in an office setting for many years. The pay stinks but the work is pleasant. I am good with teaching and running an office. My phone skills are good too so it suits me. I loved working at the Health dept. Unfortunately the work load is extreme and I started to feel I was being taken advantage of. My health suffered from the stress so I returned to office nursing in private practice. I still go into the local High School and teach STD Awareness to the kids. I love teens and wish I could do it all the time. I just got burned out with all the government regs and pressure form my immediate supervisor. The trouble with a State job! Laurie

Hi Laurie and Laura...Hehehe....I am no longer working as a nurse but had 23 years experience in most every area of medicine. My greatest love was working in the Burn Trauma Unit. I find it hard not to put on my nursing hat on the site with others. I like to remind myself that I wasn't so good taking care of myself...but it can be helpful when you see others are in a medical emergency situation and your encouragement can get them out of their door faster to the help that is needed. Good to meet you both.