Yesterday I ran into my neighbor Helen. Helen's husband Bob has Alzheimer's Disease (AD).    Two weeks ago Helen placed  Bob in a long term care facility. Helen's heart is broken.  We spent the first few minutes crying while having conversation one. We talked about how she never would have guessed that this is how she would spend her later years ---living a part from the love of her life. After talking about how she almost brought him home last night because she could not take not being with him--- she told me that a staff member from the long term care facility shared with her how Bob is very social now. Bob at home at been withdrawn and unwilling to talk to others. Now in the long term care facility he was making friends.  This is something Bob had not done in a long time. This was her sweet in the bitter.

I wonder do other people with AD become more social at some point? or is it just new surroundings?

My heartwarming story! My mom is a wonderful grandmother. I have two boys 16 and 11. She has always been their biggest fan and very involved in their lives. Even though my boys love her and she always has a smile and a hug for my boys. . . she was never a grandmother who played with her grand kids. Now with the disease she is content to play dolls with my four year old daughter. She will play dolls with her for hours! When my daughter knows her grandmother is coming over she gives a forceful fist pump and yells YES!

What are your heartwarming stories?

My name is Amy. My mom is my best friend. My mom has Alzheimer's disease. If you have ever had a loved one with Alzheimer's disease you know that when you meet others who have loved ones with the disease you end up having one of two conversations. The first conversation is about how awful the disease is. How it robs you have the person you love. The second conversation is usually about the lighter side of the disease. People will share a funny and heart warming story about their loved one. This blog is meant to capture those stories. To share the love, warmth, and humor of those stories. To give encouragement for those journeying with a loved one with Alzheimer's. Journey with and share the sweet.... in the bitter....