• by Persia Tatar , March 17, 2014

A sad but short story with a happy ending.

Fifteen years ago, when I was still in high school, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I was very close to her growing up and she was (and still is) a major influence in my life. The transition was traumatic for everyone, she went from her being a vibrant woman who could do anything to a small, frail, and confused person who lived in a waking nightmare of vivid hallucinations caused by dementia. My family did what they could to alleviate her worries and anxieties, but it was challenging to say the least. One month before I graduated from college, she passed away due to late-stage related complications. I still miss her and even writing this short paragraph causes me heart-ache.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease (yet), but there are now more resources to help. Like the FREE Alzheimer's & Other Dementias Daily Companion app. I wish I had this fifteen years ago (but smart-phones were just a glimmer in Steve Jobs’ eye then). The app helps families and caregivers with immediate tips and practical advice for all of the behaviors and situations they may encounter dealing with a loved one affected by the disease. The app includes over 500 searchable tips and practical solutions sourced from the Home Instead Senior Care network and the Alzheimer’s and other dementias caregiving community. The app is a companion piece to a new book, “Confidence to Care.”

This is a must-download for those who have loved ones dealing with Alzheimer's & Dementia.