A Face of Alzheimer's

Nothing like a new program to put you in touch with pictures. The "Faces" function on Photos helps draw together one person's image over time. I pulled together a 10 year progression of my Mom's face as Alzheimer's has chiseled away at her brain.

June 2005

From what we can tell, she was fine in 2005. She sits next to me in Mom and Dad's camper. Looks like we just came from church. Her eyes are clear and the brows flair slightly with her native intelligence.

June 2007

In 2007 I begin to see the uncertainty on her face. She is located toward the right next to the silver haired lady in the power blue jacket. This family gathering was for a funeral. Large gatherings have grown difficult. She needs to leave as soon as she can.

June 2009

In 2009, she is wearing the silly little kids look. Her voice raised and her cadence came sing song like a 3 year old. She started dropping her food on purpose and other silly acts. I remember we figured she had entered he second childhood around that time.

April 2010

In 2010, I see fear and sadness. This was the last time I remember speaking with my mom as Mom. We both enjoyed about 10 minutes on Mother's Day. Her sing song voice left and her eyes cleared. In the picture it seems she knows she is not right.

September 2011

In 2011 she is in her making noises instead of talking phase. The worry is gone. Every 5 minutes is a new adventure. She can still play the piano and sing.

June 2012

In 2012 the disease has aged the stuffing out of her. Her physical age is 74, but she is 10 years frailer. The older folks in the picture are all within a year of her age, but look younger.

October 2013

In 2013 she has reached her final move, back to the town I grew up in. She is very thin and her hair is always out of place. My mom almost always had her hair put together.

November 2014

In 2014, well you can see for yourself. Her color thinness and bearing shout ancient. The Alzheimer's life vacuum has reached full strength. 

I didn't specifically notice the progression living through it. We only came back to the area in July of 2011. See ing all the pictures together was an eye opener for me. Tomorrow Dad and my brother and I begin to study nursing homes where Mom's body can finish dying with loving care.