Is It Alzheimer's? Step Three for the Diligent and the Doomed

Once I had my list, I started researching. Step 3 is all about the research. Yes, the doctors get the final say, but I learned a lot along the way, about myself, my dad, and many issues besides the answers to the most obvious questions. My Dad had weird symptoms, and I kept searching on those symptoms.

For instance, I learned about Sundowners. Sundowners is basically when symptoms get worse, often much worse, after dark. My Dad gets more confused later in the day, though he doesn't really have Sundowners. But a lot of people deal with this, and it can be pretty bad. So I had something to be grateful for.

I also found information that talked about how delicate the very elderly are. Even in his Eighties, my military-trained bomber pilot Dad is a force to be reckoned with. But losing his eyesight and ability to do calisthenics twice a day was like falling off a cliff. There is some evidence that just one thing can really destroy the Oldsters health--loss of hearing, sight, too many medications interacting (obviously), lack of light, lack of exercise, poor sleep, etc. So it was important to deal with the myriad issues that surfaced when I got heavily involved. Even issues that he just complained about as minor disturbances. It was important to listen to him and his girlfriend, and luckily they both were very communicative.

We got my Dad into physical therapy (Medicare paid!), which had an almost immediate impact, helping his cognitive AND physical abilities. We also took care of his cataracts and improved the urinary problems that were disturbing his sleep.

And of course, I looked into all the possible diagnoses. I read over the cognitive tests, and found that I could tell which ones my Dad would pass and which ones would give him troubles. I found myself steering towards Parkinson's related dementia, hydrocephalus, and maybe a little Lewy Bodies. Not Alzheimers. All while waiting for the Neurologist. And waiting. And waiting.