The Cold Clear Light of Day

It's strange.One can live with a situation,accepting your own particular spin on it . When someone expert in the field comes along and presents your situation as it really is,it changes everything !
The aforementioned doctor's visit included his instruction for me to read a poster on the back of the examining room door.The poster diagrammed the progression of Alzheimer's from initial (where one can still manage one's life,with red flag behavior beginning ) ,to moderate (we hit everything except incontinence !!!) and severe(where,it seems ,we're going ). The chart listed cognitive and behavior indicators.Mother's good health has made this process better than it would normally be,thankfully . Once I'd finished with the reading,commenting on her "moderate "behavioral status,the doctor shook his head."She is",he said sadly,"quite far along and she's going to get worse." The exam included a competance check,which included me...as in,who am I,what is my relationship to Mother,what is my name ??? Mother could only say that I was the dearest person and that she'd known me quite awhile.The doctor looked me straight in the eye and said,"In her mind,you no longer exist as her daughter ." .....talk about the wind being knocked out of you !
It now becomes imperative to arrange for in-home care of some type.The call was put in to the local hospital's visiting nurse service from the doctor's office . They called and today, their initial contact came to evaluate Mother.The social worker will come later with options,which may include adult daycare. Seeing the list of "advanced" behaviors,I will need some time away from the situation to remain balanced and healthy. Mother's reaction to all these changes remains to be seen,but the new meds seem to be helping already...she slept through the night...quietly !
We can only take this one step at a time and do our best to make Mother safe and comfortable.