A Labor of Love: Living with Alzheimer's

This is a story about my mom, Bell who had Alzheimer’s for over ten years. I kept her in my home for nine years and five months. This story includes some of the trials, heartaches, and joys (yes, joys) of caring for her. My husband, daughter, and I worked through each and every problem and trial that arose, and my family helped in many ways. When my husband and I first took her into our home, she acted normal, but her mind was slowly diminishing. At first she forgot she had children or a husband and also what day it was. My mother was able to walk around unassisted for the first couple of years, but we had to watch her or she would wander off. The last seven years she was in a Geri-chair and hospital bed. Sometimes the days seemed like they would never end. We were so tired.

This is my sad but true story of my journey through my mother’s life with Alzheimer’s.