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Welcome! New Forum for Caregivers
This is a new discussion forum for caregivers supporting a parent living with Alzheimer's or other dementia.
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Mom newly diagnosed
Hi, My mom was newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s like 2 weeks ago. I’m so lost. I’m mad I’m angry I’m sad and I’m scared. I’m scared of the future and not knowing what that will look like. I feel like I’m failing my mom. Like I should have been able to prevent her getting Alzheimer’s. I have no help. It’s all on me. I feel…
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Refusing to shower or change clothes?
My mother with dementia is in assisted living and since last weekend, she has refused to shower (the caregivers assist her) or change clothes. She hasn’t showered in a week and has been wearing and sleeping in the same clothes for 5 days. I’m mortified. They keep trying and I even tried to talk her into it on the phone…
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My Dad Died
After 6 months in nursing home and a week in the hospital my Dad died last Thursday. So I guess my caregiver journey is over with him. I feel very confused. I haven't cried nearly as much as I thought I would. I thought I would fall apart. But I have been fine so far. Am I just waiting for a collapse around the corner?
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Hallucinations
Hi everyone!! Hope you are all well, especially my fellow snowed-ins. My mama is most likely in stage 6 of her Alzheimer’s, and she just mentioned to me that she sees beetles in our window. I tried to have her point where she was seeing them and eventually realized that she was seeing them, but they are not there. I know…
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Dramatic rapid decline after illness
is it common for people with dementia to have a dramatic decline after an illness? My parent got a mild case of pneumonia (super bad for 1.5 days but recovered quickly) and is on antibiotics for this infection. She was already having an increase in symptoms prior to the illness which happened one week ago. But now her…
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unsure of what and where to start for help with my dad
I'm caring for my father who has alz. I moved in about a year ago so he could stay home like my mom and dad had said they wanted to do . My mom passed 5 years ago. And my oldest sister passed away about 2 Yrs ago, so now I'm the one to care for my father with no help. But now he can't sleep and is getting mad because his…
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New Here
Hi, my mom has been having cognitive decline for a few years but hasn't been diagnosed. She turned 70 last year and Ive been trying to help but have little help or resources. She can still mostly take care of herself, has my father.. so power of attorney is not in the cards yet. My father has his own problems and won't be…
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CA-Sacramento/Amador County Hospice
hi, Does anyone know of a Hospice company that will permit the person to stay on their medication for dementia? Thanks
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Caring for mom at home
I’ve been caring for my mom pretty much full time since 2020 but my Dad helped until he passed in early 2024. She already had mobility issues from a stroke and a fall, but since he died she’s gone downhill with her dementia. She’s maybe a mid-stage 5 but it’s hard to assess since I’ve been helping her do her ADLS for years…
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Home care aggression
Hi! I’m looking for some advice - mom my was “approved” for 24/7 at home care but we’ve been struggling with her being aggressive to outside caregivers. She’s so sweet - until she’s not- which seems to take about a week then she wants them “out of her house”. She’s on all the typical Alzheimer’s medications & mood behavior…
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I need some positive vibes and a positive outlook. Help.
I had a hard visit to memory care and feel so sad for a lot of reasons. My parent is midstage, I'm power of attorney and live out of state and visit every couple of months. any way usually I try to keep myself emotionally detached from her symptoms and make it my goal to just give her a pleasant fun enjoyable visit and…
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My mother hides her purse nightly
My mother hides her purse and wallet nightly in her room at her assisted living facility. For now, she has a private room that locks and is very secure. She swears that people come in nightly and steal her purse however after a diligent search of her room, the purse is always located. We have tried to be consistent with…
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Picture book for dementia patients to help them understand their condition?
Hi! First time posting. I took my father-in-law to his appointment where he got a diagnosis and, although he couldn't engage much in the conversation with the doctor and I, as soon as the doctor left the room he asked me, "What did the doctor say? My brain?" I did my best to explain in simple enough terms he would…
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Vascular dementia medication
Hi, Please share any medication that you have found that helps with vascular dementia. My mom is on Donezapil but she is have negative side effects. Thanks so much!
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Donezepil and diarrhea
Hello, My mom has moderate vascular dementia and is on Donezepil 10 mg. While eating she gets diarrhea, I can’t hardly take her out. I always have a change of clothes for her in my car and the doctor ordered anti diarrhea meds. Any other tips? Or does anyone know of a med for vascular dementia that does not cause diarrhea?…
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onset of possible panic attacks and fear of falling
My mom is 87, diagnosed with Alzheimer's, with very little short-term memory and not much long-term memory. On friday, Jan 9, 2026, over a 3 hour time period, she had a dramatic change in her condition. She started slurring and having uncontrollable shaking of her body (arms, legs, hands) - almost like a seizure (although…
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Laundry addiction
Quite unique and bothersome issue here. Dad;s currently in AL and I'[m looking for an open and reputable vetran friendly MC. He has been in MC for 18 months. He is addicted to doing the residents' laundry. He's claiming that he has been given this job by management/front office. He has gotten so bad that his private aides…
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How to assume the "parent role" with your parent
Both my parent with dementia and I are having a hard time with me assuming a more caretaker role. My parent is on the younger side for midstage dementia—early 70s and was an independent successful woman who lived states away from family for the past two decades. She rarely asked anyone for anything and also didn't get very…
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Dad newly diagnosed, lives alone 3 hours away & I don't know where to start
My 75yo father has been experiencing memory issues for years. We just received the alz diagnosis with a blood test confirmation. Living alone, no family other than me, driving, medications, food, safety, poa - all of it is a lot, but we are navigating. My biggest question and concern is where and how to navigate his…
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Help me please
Hello, I'm caring for my mother that moved in with me a week and a half before christmas. And my brother filed for guardianship over her, and unfortunally he got it. Well here is the problem he is supposed to be getting this so called guardianship account set up. And I'm living off of a very limited income. We are slowing…
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Asking for Help
My dad is scheduled in February to start Leqembi. I am having a hard time wanting to try this experimental treatment. I love my dad. I am worrying about the negative side effects. My dad is at stage 3-4 of Alzheimers. He is coherent. My mom agrees with my dad. I have already let go of my father. He isn't the father, I once…
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Dad newly diagnosed
Hi Everyone. This is my first post. My dad was newly diagnosed this past June with early onset Alzheimer’s. I feel like I am in a state of complete shock. I have gone into “panic mode” and I want to make sure I’m doing all of the right things. My dad is still very early on, but the not knowing of what’s next and when is…
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Need to move mom; don't know where to start...
Hi, Hoping for some guidance from those who have lived it. Need to move my mom out of her home (she refuses) due to decreasing cognitive abilities (dementia). She lives 8 hours away in the middle of nowhere, with no facilities to move into in her community (rural, northern MI). She has too much money to qualify for help,…
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Barely Surviving Everday…
Hi, I am new here. By a grace of God, I was given this website, believe it or not from a woman that was a customer service representative at the Treasury Department. My mom has Alzheimer’s, and I suspected it four years ago and sent the alarm to the family. Nobody believed me, and thought it was natural aging, and…
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Mother to Mother
Hi everyone, My name is Stacey. My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year at 64 years old. We saw signs for a few years now looking back, but we always just chalked it up to anxiety symptoms. My mom is my best friend and I am having such a hard time with this diagnosis. Since last year, things have really progressed…
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I wrote this essay to help others after losing my father to a long battle with Alzheimer's.
After losing my father to a long battle with Alzheimer's, I wrote this essay to help people navigate through the devastating journey of having a loved one with Alzheimer's, because it is the family and those closest to the individual with the disease who bear the greatest burden. Most people find themselves thrust into…
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Her Sun Has Risen...
I know the discussion title is a little unusual, but I chose to title it that way to reflect her freedom from the disease on this side of life. That's how I like to think of it anyway in order to retain some sort of sanity. My mom, diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2018, transitioned in late-August of this year. I am her only…
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How to tell a parent they are moving into a MC facility
I posted earlier about looking for a MC facility for my Dad. I forgot to ask, how do you tell them they are moving into a MC facility?
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Admitting Dad to a Memory Care Facility
My Dad is going to be 89 in March and has recently been diagnosed with Moderate to Severe Alzheimers. For the past 8 months, my sister and I have been his main caregivers and we shared the responsibilities. However, in the past week my Dad has fallen twice and thankfully so serious injuries. He doesn't have conversations…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 1/21/26
LIVE A LIFE FILLED WITH LOVE "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT Join me. HOLY SPIRIT, please help me to want to…