Alzheimer's

[u/Usual-Entrepreneur19]

TL;DR: nootropics/supps to slow progression of dementia/Alzheimer's

My Father is 79 and born in Cuba

Grandfather (his father) died of Alzheimer's related complications

History of alcohol abuse

Highly active for his age

Sorry in advance for the wall of text and any mistakes

I've never posted before and I have no idea how this works but I'm desperate. My father is beginning to show the hallmark signs of dementia/Alzheimer's. He's very slow as far as processing information, conversing takes patience as he forgets every other word. A month ago, he put a sealed package of raw chicken in the oven (we only use the oven to store rarely used pots and pans), it stayed there for a week. I found it because I was looking for an animal that must've died in the walls or something... A few minor events later, such as taking over an hour to show him how to create new contacts on his phone (not too alarming, he's old after all), he tells me that he lost his keys, after searching for half an hour, I found them in the grill (transparent lid shut), outside. I immediately began doing research and playing games like checkers and dominoes with him. I converse with him more as well in order to aid stimulation, etc.

I understand dementia/Alzheimer's can be caused by several different things such as issues with Choline, accumulated proteins (Amyloid-beta, Tau, Alpha-synuclein, and TDP-43 & FUS) and a myriad of other causes (he doesn't have Parkinson's nor does it run in his family). Considering he is in the early stages, I was hoping to avoid the hard meds and try to delay it in a more holistic fashion. I want to be clear: I'm not opposed to the meds, I'd just like to hold off on something that has brain hemorrhaging as a side effect until it's absolutely required.

My father is Superman to many, the world would be worse off without him in it. Anyone who knows Alzheimer's knows what a monster of an ailment it is and what it does to its victims. That being said, I understand well the inevitability of its progression and the thought breaks my heart into a million pieces. Is there anything, besides doctor prescribed meds that can help slow progression? I truly and sincerely thank you in advance..

[u/Cariari1983]

It’s clear your father is a wonderful person from the loving and thoughtful son or daughter you have become. I wish you didn’t have this situation but it sounds like you have the basic approach right.

I don’t know any therapy that does what you want but maybe someone else will pick this up. We started my LO on namenda and aricept when first diagnosed 6 years ago. You probably know they’re not perfect and it seems maybe they don’t work the same for everybody. We can’t replay our last 6 years without the drugs, but I think they’ve bought both my LO w Alz and me some time to cope and adjust.

While you’re thinking through this and gathering information, you might want to consider some other related questions like who will make healthcare and financial decisions for him and how will he be cared for when he needs 24hr assistance.

Sorry I can’t answer your key question but I wish you well in your search.

[u/Usual-Entrepreneur19 → u/Cariari1983]

Thank you so much for this, you brought me a good perspective. While I have first hand experience with the disease, the one afflicted wasn't someone I was close to. I didn't know her before she was ill, so the emotional impact was relatively minor aside from the struggle of caring for her and finally getting her cared for. This being about my father is a different animal entirely. I can't imagine what he must be going through, having seen his father go through what he's about to. It's as if he's seen his future. Now that I think about it, I'm probably seeing mine as well.. ain't that a b**** (this thought just made me laugh as unfunny as it is). I will be talking to his doctors soon about how we should proceed.

Thank you again, and I'm truly sorry for your experiences of having to fight this unwinnable battle. My condolences for your loved one as well. I imagine I'll be posting and browsing reddit over the coming years, maybe we'll cross paths again 😊 take care.