Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings

BlackDog · 06-06-2009, 10:53 AM

About 90 minutes ago I was on the computer in the family room, my wife was in the kitchen, and the doorbell rang. I assumed it was UPS or USPS, so I didn't go to the door. But my wife called for me since she could see from the kitchen window that it was a man at the door. Turns out that it was an elderly man, Bob, went out for a walk and got lost, and came to our door to ask for help.

He knew his full name so we were able to look his phone number up in the phone book and call his family. His wife was worried and neighbors were out looking for him. It ends up that he has Alzheimers, lives on the next block over, and I can see the roof of his home from my front window. So we gave him a cup of coffee and then took him home.

His wife was sort of embarrassed when we brought him home, but we tried to put her at ease. Honestly, we were very glad he had the presense of mind to come to our door and ask for help. I get the sense that they are very lonely, and that the days are long, and we stayed for a little while to visit.

Since we often go out for walks with our 2 year old son, we said we would walk over from time to time and pay them a visit. It's hard to imagine that someone with a seemingly strong, healthy mind can develop such bad dimentia. Very sad, but a blessing that we were able to help.

WildBlueSooner · 06-06-2009, 10:55 AM

That is very sad and you talking to them probably means more to them than you even know. Nice job Warren

06-06-2009, 10:56 AM

Very nice to offer to check on them from time-to-time.

I have been through this with family in the past.

lightning9191 · 06-06-2009, 12:37 PM

I'm sure they appreciate the visits from time to time. My grandparents have a younger neighbor who checks in on them and visits.....he's treated as though he's family.

G G · 06-06-2009, 12:41 PM

Very nice of yall Warren, to be willing to go and see them again prolly will mean a lot to them.

LasciviousXXX · 06-06-2009, 01:27 PM

That is awesome that you're doing that brother. Its hard when people don't have anyone they can talk to. Everyone leads such full lives, full of triumph and heartache and joy and I just can't imagine not being able to share that with anyone when I get older.

Kudos to you!

icehog3 · 06-06-2009, 01:49 PM

Mad props for being a good human being, Warren....very good of you to be so kind.

14holestogie · 06-06-2009, 01:51 PM

Very nice, Warren to take the time to befriend someone in need.

Old Sailor · 06-06-2009, 05:59 PM

BigFrank · 06-06-2009, 07:42 PM

very good deed sir!

Thaplumbr · 06-06-2009, 09:07 PM

well done Warren!

kelmac07 · 06-06-2009, 10:03 PM

Very nice gesture Warren...we need more people like you in our neighborhoods.

RichardW · 06-06-2009, 10:09 PM

Very kind and thoughtful, Warren.

yourchoice · 06-06-2009, 10:12 PM

WTG brother! I'm sure taking the time to visit means a lot to them!

Ashcan Bill · 06-06-2009, 10:15 PM

That was a great thing you guys did. I lost my mom to dementia, and I think I have a pretty good idea what your help meant to those folks.

06-06-2009, 10:52 PM

Well done, Warren. You did a noble thing today, and that, my friend, is what life is about, helping others in need.
I always feel sorry for people with dementia/Alzheimers. It would be a terrible thing, to know your losing your mind and not being able to do a damn thing about it. That has got to be one of the most difficult things to go through.

You and your family are going to bring a bright spot to their lives when you stop by every now and then.

JJG · 06-07-2009, 01:21 AM

That's truly sad but you sound like the type of neighbor everyone would hope to have.

Alzheimer's scares the sh*t out of me. I went through it with two grandparents and I'm pretty sure if I was diagnosed, I might just take a camping trip with no intention of coming home. My biggest fear though is that I think my mother would do the same.

CBI_2 · 06-07-2009, 12:41 PM

Very cool that you guys were able to help and your willingness to display some good old fashioned neighborliness. Props.

BamBam · 06-07-2009, 08:02 PM

Warren, that man could not have knocked on a better door my friend.

jjirons69 · 06-07-2009, 09:47 PM

That's the exact reason we're put here, to help each other. If only your little one could realize how special his parents are.

06-06-2009, 10:53 AM	#1
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings About 90 minutes ago I was on the computer in the family room, my wife was in the kitchen, and the doorbell rang. I assumed it was UPS or USPS, so I didn't go to the door. But my wife called for me since she could see from the kitchen window that it was a man at the door. Turns out that it was an elderly man, Bob, went out for a walk and got lost, and came to our door to ask for help. He knew his full name so we were able to look his phone number up in the phone book and call his family. His wife was worried and neighbors were out looking for him. It ends up that he has Alzheimers, lives on the next block over, and I can see the roof of his home from my front window. So we gave him a cup of coffee and then took him home. His wife was sort of embarrassed when we brought him home, but we tried to put her at ease. Honestly, we were very glad he had the presense of mind to come to our door and ask for help. I get the sense that they are very lonely, and that the days are long, and we stayed for a little while to visit. Since we often go out for walks with our 2 year old son, we said we would walk over from time to time and pay them a visit. It's hard to imagine that someone with a seemingly strong, healthy mind can develop such bad dimentia. Very sad, but a blessing that we were able to help. __________________ "We live in the good of this."

06-06-2009, 10:55 AM	#2
WildBlueSooner I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: James Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,322 Trading: (19)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings That is very sad and you talking to them probably means more to them than you even know. Nice job Warren __________________ "To dilute the will to win is to destroy the purpose of the game. There is no substitute for victory"-- Douglas MacArthur

06-06-2009, 10:56 AM	#3
dubnick Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Very nice to offer to check on them from time-to-time. I have been through this with family in the past.

06-06-2009, 12:37 PM	#4
lightning9191 I think I'm normal... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin Posts: 1,007 Trading: (8)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings I'm sure they appreciate the visits from time to time. My grandparents have a younger neighbor who checks in on them and visits.....he's treated as though he's family. __________________ I eat gummy bears by tearing them limb from limb and eating their heads last.

06-06-2009, 12:41 PM	#5
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,701 Trading: (10)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Very nice of yall Warren, to be willing to go and see them again prolly will mean a lot to them.

06-06-2009, 01:27 PM	#6
LasciviousXXX Team of 11...Always Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Týr Location: New Orleans Posts: 4,579 Trading: (8)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings That is awesome that you're doing that brother. Its hard when people don't have anyone they can talk to. Everyone leads such full lives, full of triumph and heartache and joy and I just can't imagine not being able to share that with anyone when I get older. Kudos to you!

06-06-2009, 01:49 PM	#7
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 70,550 Trading: (60)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Mad props for being a good human being, Warren....very good of you to be so kind. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

06-06-2009, 01:51 PM	#8
14holestogie Serial banter killer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Clintonville, WI Posts: 4,341 Trading: (52)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Very nice, Warren to take the time to befriend someone in need. __________________ *I loves me a Parti*

06-06-2009, 05:59 PM	#9
Old Sailor Black Ops - S.O.B. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Side Porta!! Kingsville, Ont., Canada Posts: 4,161 Trading: (22)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings __________________ Canadian Armed Forces 1976! Canadian Coast Guard, retired in 2012 after 32 years!!

06-06-2009, 07:42 PM	#10
BigFrank 5 3 1 Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Frank Location: Gym or Sofa. Posts: 1,896 Trading: (25)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings very good deed sir! __________________ " Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment. "

06-06-2009, 09:07 PM	#11
Thaplumbr Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Leroy Location: Jacksonville Arkansas Posts: 585 Trading: (58)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings well done Warren! __________________ Proud to be a TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS FAN!!

06-06-2009, 10:03 PM	#12
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Very nice gesture Warren...we need more people like you in our neighborhoods.

06-06-2009, 10:09 PM	#13
RichardW Committed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PNW Posts: 993 Trading: (10)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Very kind and thoughtful, Warren. __________________ "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them ... well, I have others", Groucho Marx

06-06-2009, 10:12 PM	#14
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,081 Trading: (36)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings WTG brother! I'm sure taking the time to visit means a lot to them!

06-06-2009, 10:15 PM	#15
Ashcan Bill Ol' Dude Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bill Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,889 Trading: (6)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings That was a great thing you guys did. I lost my mom to dementia, and I think I have a pretty good idea what your help meant to those folks.

06-06-2009, 10:52 PM	#16
Waynegro1 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Well done, Warren. You did a noble thing today, and that, my friend, is what life is about, helping others in need. I always feel sorry for people with dementia/Alzheimers. It would be a terrible thing, to know your losing your mind and not being able to do a damn thing about it. That has got to be one of the most difficult things to go through. You and your family are going to bring a bright spot to their lives when you stop by every now and then.

06-07-2009, 01:21 AM	#17
JJG Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Houston Posts: 1,260 Trading: (4)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings That's truly sad but you sound like the type of neighbor everyone would hope to have. Alzheimer's scares the sh*t out of me. I went through it with two grandparents and I'm pretty sure if I was diagnosed, I might just take a camping trip with no intention of coming home. My biggest fear though is that I think my mother would do the same.

06-07-2009, 12:41 PM	#18
CBI_2 Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: In my skin. Posts: 2,066 Trading: (0)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Very cool that you guys were able to help and your willingness to display some good old fashioned neighborliness. Props. __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus Cool Cigar Themed Stuff

06-07-2009, 08:02 PM	#19
BamBam Just Pipin' Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,299 Trading: (37)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings Warren, that man could not have knocked on a better door my friend.

06-07-2009, 09:47 PM	#20
jjirons69 Haberdasher Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jamie Location: Chucktown, SC Posts: 4,120 Trading: (94)	Re: Alzheimers - The Doorbell Rings That's the exact reason we're put here, to help each other. If only your little one could realize how special his parents are. __________________ Somebody has to go back and get a chitload of dimes