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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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long distance - Mom refuses to be evaluated & Dad isn't taking action
My parents live in a different city, and we are deeply concerned about my mom’s health. She is 78 and has been showing signs of memory loss for the last couple of years, which are progressively worsening. She refuses to acknowledge the issue, won’t allow herself to be formally diagnosed, and has made my dad promise not to…
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Microaspirations
Anyone know much about microaspirations in late stage Alzheimer’s? Dad developed a wet cough a few weeks ago. Doctors said it was microaspirations, which is the next phase in decline, but now the caregiver is saying his cough is gone. Do the coughs come and go? I kinda figured once they started, they just continued?
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Advice on changing living arrangements
Hi, I’m new to this forum and have recently taken on a role as caregiver for my MIL who was diagnosed with FTD about 4 years ago. My husband and I have temporarily moved into her home while we prepare our own home with some improvements with the goal of moving her in with us upon completion. Up to this point she had been…
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New here
Today broke me down. Nothing about today so out of the ordinary but it’s been a slow build. My mom hasn’t officially been diagnosed yet but her short term memory is going. She lives with a friend and I take her to all of her appointments, manage her finances, set up her meds, communicate with all the doctors, wash and…
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The angry phone calls but good news
Well despite the angry phone calls I get from Dad each night, 9 pm sharp, the staff assures me he is going to activities, and classes, is social and friendly. Those phone calls are so hard. Anyone else have a coping strategy for the anger? I moved him from his home he misses his garage, lawn mower etc.
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Mom is consumed with sadness...
My 58-year old mom with early-onset Alzheimers lives with me. She has been with me now for a year and a half. Her type of dementia effects her visual comprehension first and foremost, which prevents her from doing any of the things she enjoys. She can see, but she doesn't understand what she is looking at. Lately, she has…
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Activities for Mom, middle stage alzheimers
My mom gets bored and starts roaming around the house. We are trying to find some activities, but it's difficult. She doesn't comprehend games real well, like solitaire or anything like that on phones/tablets/computers, she doesn't like puzzles, and she is showing signs that she can't comprehend things like words and…
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Caring for dad
Hello, I am at a loss for words as to how to handle my father with dementia. He was diagnosed over a year ago and was holding up ok for awhile but it has taken a turn for the worse. Recently, he has become very aggressive and has become physical with his family. I had to call 911 this week because we just couldn't handle…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 11/19/24
THE LORD BLESSES US Psalm 29:11 New International Version 11 The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. me: When you and I love and obey the Lord, we too are among His people. Lord, You are my God. Thank you for always being with me and giving me the strength and peace I need each day.…
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When’s the time for a nursing home?
Hey everyone, my dad is 94 with stage 6 Alzheimers. He lives with my mum who is 90 and they’ve had carers 3 x a day. We are in the UK. Dad’s just had a hospital stay for getting on for two weeks due to an infection. He’s very wobbly on his legs and has had some falls. He can’t shower by himself or dress himself and he’s…
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Fabricated memories affecting caregiving
Hello! I care for my 87 year old MIL w Parkinson's related dementia that's slowly progressing these last 3 years. She was in a home last year for a broken hip, and about 2 months after returning from the home, she started telling me about remembering times that since being home, I'd dropped her. This memory flash (which…
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Leqembi update
After four infusions we had an MRI. There was no swelling or bleeding on the brain and the white matter has stayed the same and has not expanded. Mild side effects continue with fatigue and mild tremors (not sure if it’s from the Leqembi or the Alzheimer’s). Anyway we decided to continue the infusions and hopefully we keep…
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Tremors
Hello again, Does anyone’s family member get tremors? This started about a month ago. Not sure if it’s from the Leqembi or totally unrelated. They told me she would get chills from the Leqembi, but these are definitely not chills. Just curious. Thanks in advance.
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Important date organizer
Hello all. I’m currently caring for my mother who has mid stage Alzheimer’s. Her current hurdle is the inability to read calendars. Does anyone know of any good product that may organize important dates for her in an easy to read/understand way? Thank you!
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My DW not eating
My DW had a fall in the summer, with nothing but a small bruise. Then a kidney stone 2 months ago, resolved. Then, 2 weeks ago, she fell at home. 2 fractures in her pelvis (no surgery), Brain bleed with no lasting effects, large bruise in her abdomen. Admitted to ICU in a LOT of pain. She is now in a wonderful rehab and…
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Anger When Family Tries To Help
Hi everyone! I wanted to reach out and see if anyone else has had experience with this and what you did to mediate it. So I am a caregiver (F25) to my mama with Alzheimer's (F60), and she is on her first big trip since her diagnosis. Her sister took her out of state to visit other family members and my mom is having a…
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Moving to AL or MC, and how do you pay for it?
Hi friends, I'm wondering how/when we go about moving my mother from her home to either AL or MC. Would her primary care or neurologist make the recommendation, then we go? We only have a certain amount of money to pay for care, and I am concerned that if she goes to a new community where she is engaged she will rebound,…
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Caring for an abusive parent
I am my mom's only child, adopted. Although she has several stepchildren. My mom has had many loving friends and family in her life willing to provide support, but as she aged, her abuse spread from the inner family to external family, friends, and neighbors. She is narcissistic, gaslighting, oppositionally defiant, among…
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How to Help with Mother's Aggression - Newly Admitted to Memory Care Facility After Broken Hip
HI all, Im so grateful for everyone here and the support everyone provides. My mother has been admitted to a memory care facility within the last month or so after breaking her hip, having surgery, and living at a rehabilitation center for a month. She had previously been aggressive and yelling in situation where she was…
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Mom combative when having brief changed
Hello. My 87-year-old mother is the best person in the world. This horrible disease has caused her to become combative in her nursing home. She is mostly pleasant, but when the staff has to change her Depends. Lately, she has been screaming, biting, hitting, and yelling. She is on Mematine: ( Namenda) 10mg for Alzheimer's…
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Caregiver for brother
I'm new at this. Since June of this year, 2024, I have been trying to take care of a younger brother with altered mental status, who since that time has shown short term memory loss and confusion. I took him to a neurologist and had test done. Other than determining his basic physical health was ok and that he had suffered…
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Giving up on life?
My mom has started to not want to get out of bed except to use bathroom. She’s been losing weight because she’s not eating her meals and only eats small portions. I’m of the opinion to not force her to do anything she doesn’t willing want to do. If I can gently get her to do something I certainly will , but she’s always…
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Coping with disease progression
My mom is in a good MC receiving high quality care. Before that she was also in a good AL/MC, albeit one not equipped to deal with more advanced dementia. Now, I find myself watching my mom progress and filled with sadness. She is comfortable, clean (a miracle, given that she has a lot of incontinence issues), and still…
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Bedrail advice
My Dad keep saying his neck hurts because he falls out of bed at his facility. He has had a neck cramp since my mom died two months ago, so we really are not sure if he fell out of bed. He is in his own bed, which is a sleep number mattress on a sleep number box spring, on a typical bed frame. So any device can go under…
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Another fall
And another injury to the same arm she tore open 6 weeks ago. No pool of blood this time, but a small fracture at the top of her shoulder (acromion, no displacement of the AC joint for the medical folks here). They wouldn't have found it if I hadn't pushed for more evaluation after the plain films were done on the arm and…
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Loved one in facility
Hello everyone. I am thinking about getting my LO in a facility, as I am unable to get back to work otherwise. My question is...for those who have your LO in a facility and you take them out for the day for whatever reason, is it easy to get them to go back to the facility, or do they hesitate and argue. Just trying to…
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Memory care concerns
My mom has been in memory since 2022. She’s had a moderate decline since going in. Few issues but seems content. Went to visit her Tuesday. I got told the other night they saw blood in moms pull up. Maybe a uti. Head nurse calls me just now and says Dr sees red pimples on mom’s private and red lines and thinks squamous…
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Living with a parent with early onset dementia
Hello 👋🏽 I am new to taking care of a parent with dementia. It has been a complete struggle for me. I am a single mother to a beautiful son who is diagnosed with autism. My mother was told by her doctor that he is taking away her drivers license and has asked me to “hide” her car. She is now questioning me about her car…
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Angry at optimists
Anyone else get super upset when caregivers tell you how great your loved one is doing because they ate? Oh, Dad’s doing so well. He ate all his lunch. Look. I know you don’t know my dad pre-late stage Alzheimer’s. But MY DAD, the person, not the body, is not doing great. And I find it so condescending when people tell me…
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Struggling with parent who is avoiding confirming diagnosis.
Hello! I’m looking for advice: Some background: my maternal grandmother and her eight siblings all suffered with Alzheimer’s. My grandmother was diagnosed at the age of 74 and lived until she was 83. My 73 yo mom, who cared for my grandmother, is slipping fast. All the same behaviors, personality changes, etc. however, she…