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Hospice at home vs memory care facility
My DW started to have memory issues 9 years ago. Along the way I investigated a number of memory care facilities in our area. However, she does not wander at night or otherwise disrupts my ability to get a good night’s sleep. As She lost her abilities to care for herself I brought in caregivers from an agency to allow me…
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Nutrition Ideas?
Seeking suggestions for high calorie, high energy foods I can puree for DH in addition to our current go-to list. I thought adding a non-dairy meal replacement shake daily would help with providing extra nutrition and calories for this Stage (7), even though he is going to keep losing a few lbs at each month's weigh-in I…
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Music gives us our best moments lately
Every morning we listen to music, usually the Beatles or Elton John stations on Amazon Music. We sing along and sometimes "kitchen dance." Today, while singing along to Bohemian Rhapsody he came up with "gee algebra has a devil set aside for me." I'm so glad we can find ways to still giggle.
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clenched teeth
DW has started clenching her teeth the past day and today. She will not take any meds, or food or even let a straw in her mouth for liquids. Any suggestions?? Meds are opioid for pain and anti anxiety, stool softeners. The Percocete is essential for spinal stenosis, she is bed ridden since this past week. Learning how to…
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We’re finally calling hospice agencies
it’s been a difficult process in many ways because I, the primary caregiver, am not the primary decision maker. Additionally, as she is not my own mother, it was very important that my spouse arrive at this decision without feeling pressured. I think DH needed time to process the terminal natures of his mom’s two serious…
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Help remembering which apartment is hers?
The situation: a woman with early dementia is able to go out and navigate the town safely, and she enjoys this independence so we don't want to squash it. The trouble is, when she gets back to the apartment building, she sometimes forgets which door is the family apartment and ends up knocking at the wrong one, confused…
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Dislikes Sister and an old friend
My wife has recently gone through some changes with her sister and an old friend. My wife was never close with her sister and this old friend growing up, but we've had a great relationship with both in the past 20+ years. A recent visit from her sister however sparked a memory of long ago when she didn't care for her…
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Hiring through Care.com
Hello - we are looking to hire someone in the immediate term through care.com until we can get mom's long-term plans settled. For those who use or have used care.com: What questions did you ask when interviewing candidates? What red flags should I be on the lookout for with candidates? Any watch-outs to be aware of when…
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Incontinence Venting
Here's the thing. An incident of urinary incontinence isn't a huge deal. I can handle the diapers and cleanup. Most days. Last night and this morning were rough though. At his aide's suggestion, I brought in the briefs with tabs (we had been using pull ups). She has no problem using them (quick stand-up change, doesn't…
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From the NYT: Alzheimer's Takes a Financial Toll Before Diagnosis
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/economy/alzheimers-disease-personal-finance.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wE0.0r2q.SLXBA3o0-_FV&smid=url-share Preaching to the choir. HB This is a gifted link.
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Are these common signs your LO has to move from AL to MC?
I just moved both parents to Assisted Living last month. The Director of Nursing called today and told me that both have declined rapidly since her initial assessment when they moved in and that both should move the Memory Care section. First, how likely do you think it is that both parents declined so rapidly in six…
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I’m going nuts
Do any members experience wild swings in day to day health and cognition of their LOs? One day, MIL acts like she’s about to die. She’s sleeping 18 hours, largely incoherent, confused as to day, time, etc, not eating much and seems to be in pain. Then the next day, she wakes up and she’s almost normal. Alert, good…
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Transitioning?
My mom will soon be 98. She's been in memory care for three years. For the last 1.5 years she's been in Stage 7 of Alzheimer's. She's been on hospice for 2 years now. About 1.5 years ago hospice told me she was actively dying and had only days to live. She was in bed on oxygen for about 3 weeks, struggling to breath,…
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Clinical Trials
Hello good people, I am a nurse and helping my mother newly diagnosed with AD. Her neurologist said there's nothing more he can do and our best option is to find a clinical trial. I am finding this difficult as she cannot undergo MRI due to a metal clamp for an aneurysm she has. The new infusion drug Leqembi is…
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Life with Dementia - Tips for Caregivers
I was looking for the best practices foods and exercise list, and found this. Best practices across a range of areas to consider. Helpful tips here. https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/tips-caregivers
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Regarding instrumental adls
I don't know why instrumental adls are not mentioned more frequently. I think new members could get a quick understanding of what their LOs can and cannot do. Instrumental adls are learned at high school level. If your LO is functioning at below a high school level, your LO should not be left alone and needs close…
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So confused and so tired
First post here - My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alzheimers last year from a neuropsychologist. Afterwards, we went to a neurologist who diagnosed MCI. We have had blood tests for B12, sleep studies, an MRI and more recently a PET scan done. The blood test and sleep study turned out fine. The MRI and PET scans were…
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Off Topic: Michael Ellenbogen's trip to Tennessee
Michael Ellenbogen recently returned from a trip to Tennessee and gave Judith and I permission to share his photographs. He saw the Duck Parade on Judith's recommendation and was an assistant Duck Master. Happy that he continues to travel.
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another interesting but incomplete newspaper report
The Washington Post had another interesting article today, talking about a new website from the Alzheimer's Asssociation—called DICE—about strategies for caregivers to de-escalate dementia behaviors. Supposed to be the first of its kind—but it must not be up and running yet, there was no link provided to any such website,…
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Move Mom in With or Without Her Furniture
Hello, my Mom recently moved in with me. She seems to be adjusting but she mentions some of her things such as her leather couch, a desk etc. I could make room for the couch, but it might be crowded. I’ve been back and forth on whether to have it brought here, a 16 hour drive away. Sometimes I think it would really help…
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Marketing Senior Living-Big Article today
Lead article in the Washington Post this morning is about A Place For Mom--37.5% of their "Best of Senior Living" facilities have been cited for serious substandard care, and the reviews are manipulated. Cautionary tale about doing your own research. I'd post a link but am sure it's behind a paywall.
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In the blink of an eye... (reposting)
Dear Forum Mates, Join me on my little walk down memory lane. This thread is almost 3 years old and reminds me of where we were in my beloved's progression at that time. We all got a little (or big!) chuckle out of some of the antics our LOs were able to get into "in the blink of an eye". This is a stress reliever as we…
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Refusing to eat/doesn't like food
I'm a part time caregiver for my grandma; she has alzheimers. We are at the stage where she doesn't like most foods. And even if we try to encourage her she will spit it out. Any advice? Things that have worked for yall? Even food supplements?
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Grief and guilt after moving parents to ALF, how to deal?
Last month I moved both parents to an ALF. I did research in advance and found a nice place close to both their kids. Initially, I felt relieved. One month on however, I feel mostly grief and guilt and am surprised. Is this common? Mom has mobility issues and AD for nearly seven years. Parents now are 86 and 89. What…
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Brief Update on a good day
I've read many discussions on how our PWD can get combative over their driving privildges. I realize it's still early days, but here's how it's going. Per last update, brother was prescribed generic for Aricept a couple of weeks back. He can complete more of his sentences than before. He says he's feeling much better. He…
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Philly Area Caregivers: Free Tam Cummings Conference
This looks very interesting if you are in the area.
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An Important Week in Alzheimer's Disease Research
This week there were three important findings regarding Alzheimer's disease: The first found that Alzheimer's disease is primarily caused by oxidative stress and that it potentially can be treated with a series of antioxidants. The editor for this group concluded that: "I anticipate that the OS (oxidative stress)…
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Bank account considerations
Just some general info that may help some. Sometimes being added to checking + savings account as signatory is more advisable than using a DPOA. If your LO can sign, they can be taken to the bank(or whatever the bank requires) + ask to have you added to the account. This is sometimes easier than dealing with a POA. Also,…
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Experience with Clonazepam/Klonopin?
Mom's been having some changes in her sleeping habits and right now I'm trying to figure out if it's the medication she's on or something else. About a month and a half ago, she was put on hospice, all her regular meds stopped, and was put on Clonazepam. I thought it was to help her sleep through the night; my sisters said…
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10 Absolutes in Dementia Care list
Recently shared by another member here. Thanks @Chug