8A
FEATURES
Pains of Alzheimer’s
Dear Annie: My mother the whole ride back from the
was diagnosed with Alz- restaurant and seemed in good
heimer’s disease five years spirits. When we were saying
ago. In the beginning, it was goodbye (not sure she remem-
just small stuff, such as for- bered who I was), she began
getting that she had told the to cry. She didn’t understand
same story to us five times why she couldn’t go home
with my dad. She
or using her lipstick
DEAR
became very upset
as eyeliner. About a
and said, “But he is
year ago, it got really
ANNIE
my husband. I love
bad. My dad told me
him. I want to sleep
that she would get up
next to him.” My dad
in the middle of the
was holding back
night and take out the
tears and said very
car. One night, around
calmly, “No, this is
3 in the morning, he
your home now. You
got a call from a gas
Lane
have to go to your
station. The attendant Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
room.” The nurses
said that there was a
told my dad and me to
lady there who didn’t
leave and said they would take
know where she was.
After the middle-of- care of her. It was so sad to
the-night scare, my father watch. Were the nurses right,
decided it was time to put her or should we have taken her
under professional care. We back with us? — Daughter in
researched all the facilities and Distress
Dear Daughter: Alzhei-
found the best one. Though it
is a great deal of money for us, mer’s is a horrible disease, not
the care the facility provides only for the person diagnosed
with it but also for all his or
seems top-notch.
The other night, my dad her loved ones. It takes no
and I took my mom out to prisoners and leaves everyone
dinner and then went back to around wounded; there is no
the home where she is stay- doubt about that. I’m so sorry
ing. She sang nursery songs you’re going through this. It
sounds as if you’ve found a
reputable care facility for your
mom, and that’s great. Talk to
her doctor and ask him or her
whether there are any tech-
niques you and your dad could
use to help soothe your mom
when she’s distressed. You
might also talk to your insur-
ance provider about home
health care options.
Dear Annie: I’m sure
you’ve been contacted by
others by now, but another
resource for those who may
want to honor someone who
died from Alzheimer’s disease
is to join a local Walk to End
Alzheimer’s if one is offered
in their community. More
information is available at alz.
org. I walk each year, as both
of my parents have demen-
tia. Please share this important
information with your readers.
— Susan B.
Dear Susan: Thank you
for writing. An estimated 5.4
million Americans suffer from
the disease. Visit the Alzhei-
mer’s Association website for
more information about the
disease and what you can do
to help make a difference in
the lives of those affected.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Today is for
thinking ahead. There’s a process you’ll begin
now (while you’re far upstream from the
destination) so that you’ll have what you need
in the moment you need it. TAURUS (April
20-May 20). Paradoxically, humility is among
the least popular virtues, but those who adopt,
understand and live it are among the most
popular people. It takes a lot of confidence to
be humble!
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your work and
process and role may be very different from
your colleague’s or loved one’s position, and
yet you both struggle with the same obstacles.
There’s a way to work together for mutual
benefit.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). When everybody
tends to his or her own business, news is
scarce. If the helpless are being harmed, step
in. Other than that, there are very few instanc-
es when it’s right to intervene.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Investigations aren’t
just for solving crimes. Investigate positive
things too, especially the qualities and habits
that might lead you toward the attainment of
your goals.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There are some
very unhealthy situations in the world, and
some of them you have to deal with on the
regular. Don’t let it stop you. At the end of the
day, it’s up to you to make a change and go
where you can grow.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As for that person
with whom you can’t seem to sync up with:
This is nothing to take personally. What’s going
on is that you’re just not hearing the same
music. Don’t try and impress. Instead, search
for common ground.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Some are
offended by the colloquialism “whatever,”
putting it in the same category as a curse
word. At the very least, it represents disre-
spect and faux apathy, two things against your
nature.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You can’t
do it all in one day, or even think of it all in one
day. But you can keep a running list. There’s
something extremely lucky about committing
your plans to writing.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Knowledge
alone won’t make you any more effective than
knowing the fundamentals of a dance will
make you a dancer. This is why you practice
over and over today.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People who
take responsibility for their actions once are
likely to do so again and again. The reverse is
also true. You’ll make an important decision,
and an accurate character assessment will be
key in this.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). “Duty first” is
your guiding principle. Furthermore, you’ll put
your own agenda aside to do what your friend
needs. Just don’t leave yourself out entirely.
What you do for your own enjoyment makes
the world better, too.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (March 16). You’ll
flip the script on your inner world this year,
seeing yourself as humbler and yet more pow-
erful and richer and with less to contend with.
April brings an exciting venture complete with
big responsibilities that will be a joy to keep.
May and July bring the chance to learn about
your loved ones in new places. Sagittarius and
Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1,
7, 13, 22 and 48.