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New & desperate in need of advice
Hi, I’m new here & after scrolling through some of the posts and comments here I’ve got to say I feel so much better to know I’m not alone! I can relate to feeling resentful, frustrated, overwhelmed and all of the many (MANY) emotions that come along with caring for PWD. My mom does not have an official diagnosis but many…
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Slip-sliding away
Any suggestions/tips on ways for me to capture and preserve what we have left before it’s too late? Videos or recordings is what I’m thinking of doing. What questions would you recommend I ask her? Is it worth looking at old photos/historical family albums to see if she is able to give us any insight into our family…
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Home health care 24/7
Hi all, I’ve been researching options for a place for my mother with Alzheimer’s to live. I found a good MC option 2 hours away, but it is very expensive! Thankfully , our family can afford it. I live in a small rural community that has no AL or MC. I just had the idea of buying a house near me and looking into home health…
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Planning hospice care for dad.
The palliative care doctor advised me to contact a hospice provider for my dad. I selected Vitas hospice. I called for information about the company and they told me to set up a visit with my dad, me and mom. I look forward to planning further and to give me a piece of mind that dad will be taken care of. I will post how…
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Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and isolated
Hi, I care for my mother who was diagnosed with early onset dementia about 9 years ago. She has done really well and I am truly blessed with how well she does. Since April of this year, I’ve taken to being her caregiver and was able to leave my job to care for her full time. As I said she does do well, but I can tell her…
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How do I handle statements like “I want to die”
Hi I’m new to this support group. My mom is 77 and has Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer. She is in an assisted living facility and is struggling bad. 7 phone calls yesterday and the first four were “I can’t do this”, “I want to die” and “no one wants me”. I really struggle with what to say to her. Nothing I say seems to…
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Doctors appointments help!
I just took my mom yesterday to a new primary care. I just moved her closer to me and so we are starting from ground zero. She was undiagnosed before she left her last doctor but had taken a cognitive test and shows signs of dementia. Anyway, at this doctors appointment she told the doctor absolutely nothing. Told her she…
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My mom has dementia that recently got a lot worse
My mom was recently diagnosed with dementia and had been showing symptoms for a couple years. Minor memory issues and forgetting keys and her phone and things like that. It has progressed so quickly over the past few weeks and she is now scared to be alone. She lives with her husband who has taken good care of her but she…
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Mother was removed from her home
New to this and have some questions. Our mother has recently been diagnosed. There are 3 girls and 1 boy in our family. My older sister and I are 2 hours away and brother is several states away. Little sister lives in same town. My oldest sister mentioned she thought something was wrong with mother and wanted tonget her to…
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Dignity
I'm not sure exactly how to ask this, but my MIL with Alz is taken to church every week. Her children feel she wants to continue this (although she doesn't remember if she went to church or not). My issue is that dementia was my MIL biggest fear 15-20 years ago - if someone she knew started showing signs, she'd talk about…
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Mother Has Dementia
Hello, I am very new to this and have never used open forums or discussions to talk about my personal life. I recently moved in both of my parents with me because of their illness and they could no longer take care of themselves. My mother has mid-later stage dementia and my father has early onset Alzheimer’s. I also have…
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Caregiver Burnout Direct Link to Injuries
I've posted about burnout, needing a break, etc. but never thought this would happen. On 11/6 while clearing leaves, mulching I tried to clear leaves from the mower's shoot and partially amputated 2 fingers on my dominant hand. Surgery on 11/10...left me in pain, unable to use one hand, completely care for myself never…
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Progression
hi there! Anyone have any experience when their alz pt starts a new med (rexulti) and then they being more confused? Is this based on the disease or based on the medication…. I know it’s really hard to say. But I’m hoping if I stop the med, that she’s not as confused.
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Mother-in-law very upset this morning
Thank you in advance. As this is all new to us, I may use this platform to vent! I have been reading posts here, and realize how hard this can get, and we are just in the beginning. Waking up this morning at MIL's home, I found her already up and crying hysterically. As in like couldn't catch her breath kind of crying. I…
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Switch Neurologist ??
I just took my mom to her neurologist. My mom got so mad and upset when she heard us talking about her having dementia. So he put his hand on her shoulder and said when you get to be 75 or so, your memory starts to get bad. I think this is totally the wrong way to handle this. Especially with my mom who says she just has…
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My Mom Won't Eat
My mom has stopped eating even though she is able to still move around, bathe and dress herself and do some light housework. My dad is still alive and helps her around the house. Her weight has dropped to 75 pounds (she was about 115 most of her life) and she has lost 10 pounds in July 2022. She always was very weight…
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Qualifications for POA
I'm looking at maybe becoming POA over my parents. But I have a mental disorder and am disabled. Can I still be qualified for POA? I think if I'm able to do that, it might look like I am not too disabled as I am and my disability can be questioned and I will lose my SSDI. I am medically and mentally stable now, but that's…
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Keeping an eye on mom
Mom, 82, is showing more signs of her dementia. She is already stressed out trying to take care of dad who also has dementia. Her memory is getting worse. She can't drive anymore because she don't remember where she wants to go. She misplaces things all the time. Today she forgot her keys and would have locked herself out…
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New here, looking for support
My mom has been on a steady cognitive decline over the past 2 years after a big fall and some medications she was placed on. We have not been given the diagnosis of Dementia due to the fact that she will not get tested and gets extremely angry when it is suggested. (She has always had anger issues and does not let anyone…
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Not taking tablets
My mom has dementia. Unless someone is with her, she misses her tablets. Is a pill box a good idea? Or do we need to get a carer to come and supervise.
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Completely Overwhelmed!!
There’s so much I don’t even know where to start! My mom’s heath issues started in 2019. She was diagnosed with CHF and we have been to ER a hand full of times for that. Now she has stage III kidney disease. I’m assuming do to the meds she takes for her heart condition what I gather from the cardiologist. My 12 year older…
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Mom Laughed at not remembering
I am just remembering a recent exchange I had with MIL. She said I am having trouble remembering things. I told that's okay, we are here to help you. Then she said there is something I need to ask you. I said what is it? She said I don't remember!! And we all laughed. I hope I don't offend anyone...sometimes laughter is a…
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Borderline dementia
Hello, I'm new here and thankful to find some support. I take care of my father who lives with me. He has had dementia symptoms for the two years he has lived with me, so his dr. suggested an evaluation. He had an occupational therapy driving test which said he was fine to drive and a Neuroquant MRI which showed brain…
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How do I hide away important papers?
When locking away important papers, what do you tell your loved one? I care for my mom. Three years ago pre-diagnosis, we made a go-bag together, including all the most important documents out of her filing cabinet. Since then, far down the Alzheimer's road now, she needs to look through that bag about once a month. She…
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Caregiving mixed with trauma from parents’ marriage
My parents have been unhappily married for four decades. Essentially, they hate each other, which I view as a foundational trauma of my life—that they remain married I mean. My mother has what seems to be stage 6 dementia and right now, by necessity, my father is the primary caretaker. He’s worked hard at being patient and…
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Dementia hereditary?
Since both my parents have dementia, am I a high risk of getting dementia too? Also, I heard mental illness can increase chance of getting dementia. I take mood stabilizers, lamictal, and lithium. My psychiatrist said lithium can reduce chance of dementia. Plus I have MCI due to drug induced Parkinson's but the offending…
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Slip Sliding Away
My dad seems to be moving into another slide. Last week when we went to the doctor with him, he turned and looked at me and didn't know who I was. I took it rather well with him, I just said it's (my name). And then he knew. Today, he told me he didn't know where he was. He doesn't know he is in his own apartment. He…
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Hello - My Story
Hello! I had been to the ALZ website before looking for support groups and just saw this discussion community! How wonderful because I was having trouble with trying to attend a group. My story - DH is an only child. My FIL just passed away 8 months ago, leaving my MIL. DH and I didn't quite realize the extent to which FIL…
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Another Question: Medication
My Mom again is in the early stages of vascular dementia: she is fearful to take the prescribed dementia medication from her doctor and I have finally gotten her to start taking it. It is to be taken in the evening and makes her nauseous… how proactive and assertive should I be with her taking this medication?
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Talking to strangers online
I am new to this group and am taking care of my dad who has mild to moderate alzheimers....I had to move in with him to help take care of him but I still work full time. My problem is that lately had been talking to several different woman online from social media or dating sites.. . I know he is lonely but I don't know…