Yes. The odd thing about senility in most cases is that the person suffering from it retains most of the long term memory, but the recent thoughts are disjointed and convoluted.

SC, one thing I forgot to mention to you is a word or two of advice as you deal with thease issues. Do not go through it alone. A support group is necessary, and it sounds as if your siblings and you are very family oriented.

A second thing, that has helped and continues to help my family, is to maintain a sense of humor. When it was time for my Uncle Jack to become senile, he occasionally would slip away from a family function and walk home (until he could no longer find his way). One night, when we thought he could be trusted, he left a reunion, and walked two miles home along an unlit highway. After finding him home, my aunt asked if we should invest in an assisted living facility. My brother said it would be cheaper to invest in a few rolls of reflective tape.

Yea Kly, I can imagine a sense of humor is important at these times. It must be very hard to remember that.

Like I said earlier, I really think the family is probably hit the hardest, since the victim doesn't really know what he/she is doing. It's not really the same person (personality) you love.


TIS

My wife works with Alzheimer's patients. A lot of them like to follow her around to see what she's doing. She says it's like taking care of 80 year old kids. She seems to find it somewhat rewarding though.

LN, I can imagine it would be just like having 80 year old children around. God bless your wife.

A true story, my parents told me they saw on the news.

After a very long term marriage (like 50 years or so) this husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. As he got worse and worse, his wife finally had no option but to put him in a facility so he could be properly cared for.

They interviewed the wife on tv, who said that her husband has no memory of her at all, AND that he found a new love/girlfriend in the hospital where he was living. The wife went on to say that she "knew" that this was not him and said that she was happy knowing that in his last days, that he was happy. What more could you do really? Cling to those wonderful happy memories.

TIS

That's quite a story, TIS. She had the right frame of mind.

I had an aunt, who was a nun (Sisters of Mercy). She was a scholar and president of a Mercy Hospital, as well as Mother Provincial of North America. Her administrative and speaking skills were among the finest I've ever witnessed, and she had a national reputation for excellence in hospital administration.

She retired in 1993 to devote time to writing and other pursuits in her order. I was speaking with her in mid-1994 when I was a criminal defense attorney when she made the following statementabout O.J. Simpson, who had just been arraigned on the murder charges:

"My heart goes out to anyone facing criminal prosecution. I watched his arraignment (on tv)and as they led him from the court room, our eyes met briefly, and he went through a door to Sister Helen Louise's father's front porch."

That hit me like a ton of bricks, and I realized then that senility was destroying her mind.

Wow! How sad!! I think the fact that we are so helpless, and know it'll only get worse, is what is heartbreaking.



TIS

My thoughts exactly.

Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is one of the best songs every written.

...at least as far as melody. Which competes very strongly with the Drifters' classic, "Up on the Roof".

Can't decide, melody-wise...

still might have to go with Roof. But still -- BOTH are WAY up there!

I just recently found out that Billy Joel grew up about five miles from where I now live. A lot of his references in songs relate to his Long Island upbringing (including the village green and parkway diner in this song).

...and "Ready Steady Go" & "Kiss Me Deadly" (Billy Idol during Generation X) is up there as far as music, but, nothing beats The Replacements in that category, so why try....

..this all assuming that The Master, Gram Parsons, didn't exist. Of course.

Many of his songs contain references from places in Long Island.

His first album was titled 'Cold Spring Harbor', which is a town out on Long Island. He recorded a song called 'Zanzibar' which was a bar out on Long Island by the same name. His song 'Piano Man' is sort of a semi-autobiography about his own life, when he would play piano in a bar on Long Island. There is also another song of his, which I cannot recall the name of off hand, that references what was once a cafe/bar in East Hampton called The Grand Cafe.

I love how "real" Billy Joel's songs are. Every place he mentions in his songs, I just assume exists.

What about the restaurant he refers to in Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)? Is there such a place or street?


"He works at Mister Cacciatore's down
On Sullivan Street"

TIS

Gutan Tag

Back from Germany,had a great time, hope everyone had a lovley Christmas. And everyone has a prosperius New year.

Good to have you back mate,xmas was good too much beer though

Not enough beer.....

Are you feeling any better mate?

Light Weights

I told my wife she was getting 4 inches tonight, she was disappointed until I told her it was of snow.

Your a funny guy.

Dont worry ill make up for it tonight

Funny how?

Da dam..

Funny like a clown? I'm here to amuse you?

now go and get ya fucking shinebox

Why do people find clowns funny? i think they are quite scary if im honest,scary drag queens

the scariest clown is from the film IT i used to be shit scared of this..

im not keen Clowns in general to be honest they piss me off

Bukkake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well i hope everyone has a great night tonight see you all in 2008 well not see you but you know what i mean(i dont know why i felt the need to explain that)

have a good night mate. make sure you take your beer goggles..