I know all about this desease, because it runs in my family. The lucid moments are the worst, because then they are aware of that they have used the middle of the living room as a toilet and called their grandchild "mum".
The heardest thing to do is to decide when to call in for help, because then they lose their independance:/

A much deserving subject, well done.

*hugs*

5/5 Ingrid

Sylvia
What a heart wrenching poem. To watch this happene to a love one is terrible.
Great job on this piece.
Love Cindy

Its sad to see a loved one going through this
situation as they loose bits of themselves
each day..a moving write.

This is a realistic depiction of what it is like tohave Alzheimer's. Such a sad disease. I have seen this too many times in my line of work. An excellent perception you have conveyed here. Nice job!

It brought tears to my eyes each time I read about this dreadful dissease my friend.You see, my mom passed away a few years ago from Alzhiemers.The most painful thing was to watch her, a woman of strength, courage, love and a compassionate heart, reduce to a childlike state.
The wondering, searching with the police when she would venture out and the pittiful look in her eyes when found..It's gutwrenching.
But with patience, love and the propper care, we held on to her to the last.
Yet, I am happy to read your poem on this subject and commend you on it, for it keeps reminding the world about the effects of this devastating dissease.
A sad and important write, superbly penned.
Paul...

I wonder if this poem is an account of mid Alzheimer's disease having witnessed it so many times in the NHS Care Home in England were my ex-wife use to work.

Apathy, a vacant stare, confusion in sad eyes,
I witness this line every time I visited my wife at work and saw the sorrow in the patients familys eyes, not a disease I would even wish on my worst enemy and one that left me whispering a deep thank you God he/she is not me in selfish prayer.

the thief taking each thought and action.
If only the screams inside my head could be heard, will today be the day I forget to breathe,
and my heart ceases to beat?
Relief.
This line really hit home the helplessness the person suffering from this disease must feel and it must be the most harrowing experiences in his/or her life.
To graphically put so much so it made me feel more than uncorfortable let us hope and pray that soon they will come up with a cure from the new DNA research being carried out.

This poem is by far the most accurate and graphic poem I have ever read on this site and with me getting on in years as the author is we see those of our age we love fall by the wayside from many of lifes ageing diseases and all we can do is pray that our God is looking over us and we realise that life should be savoured day by day. I wish there was an exception so I could give this poem a 10 excellent seems to be a misnomer for such a great poem 5/5 RayS

What a true depiction of the deadly disease.God give immense patience and a heart filled with love to all who are taking care of such patients.God bless.5/5.

Sylvia.. I cannot add much more to what has been said.. but just want to say I thought it was a real eye opener, to such an awful desease. So well depicted, and with depth of feeling. Im speechless.
LOL

This was magnificent. It's funny because I never cry :P This really helps me understand what my grandma is going through. She is very dear to me. If I have learned anything in life, one thing I understand is that its hard getting old ^_^ Ill be there one day too.

I have worked with the elderly on & off over my life time and this is, indeed, an apt description of how this condition manifests. Little bits, big bits, a moment of clarity only to have it slip away again, until there is nothing near the end but a blank stare. I assume you've dealt with this directly to paint so accurate a picture.
*hugs*

Hello Sylvia

I like how you describe this awful disease. My gran died of it and it. It slowly stole her personality, then her ability to function. I believe that this is worse for the family/ loved ones than it is for the sufferer.

My only suggestion is the order of the verses. The second verse seems (to me) to be an ideal introduction, then the first verse ends with the word 'final' this sounds like a natural end..but isn't And then the final verse ends with the word 'relief', which (to me) is not so final, however this could be relief that the suffering has ended? Each verse is powerful and contains lots of descriptive words that create a vivid journey of this disease, but maybe a different order would clarify the progress from start to finish?

Take care

Michael