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Dietary Changes/Scientific Study Very Promising
This is definitely worth exploring. Scientific study by a proven leader in lifestyle-based medicine.
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Medicare respite
Has anyone used the 5 days of respite provided by Medicare? Was you LO on hospice at the time? What type of facility were they in? How did it go?
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Caregiver to husband with Alzheimers
3 or 4 or more times a day my LO is so worried about his money and he wants to know how much he has in the bank so he can go get a drink. What can I do or say without being so frustrated to change the direction of the conversation?
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Cognitive therapy with a speech therapist for mild dementia
Can anyone explain what should be happening in a therapy session? I finally convinced my husband to attend a virtual visit. The therapist started with a lengthy list of general questions regarding memory that have been asked/answered at several prior medical apptments within the same network. She then said she'd like to…
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Dealing with the soul-sucking nature of witnessing this disease
I guess somewhere along the line I read that your LO with AD becomes somewhat unaware of how much they have actually declined. The unawareness protects them from fully realizing the impacts and the toll it takes. For those around them however, we do see it. We are aware of it. We also deal with the reality of watching…
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amyloid pet scan and Medicare Advantage
My DW (80) has just recently been (tentatively) diagnosed with Alzheimer's but need an amyloid PET scan for confirmation. We have UHC Medicare advantage and are told the diagnostic tool is not approved yet. Not sure what to do. Start of a long journey.
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I don't understand this.
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Family Conflict
I just moved to CA with my ex with whom I have been living for the past six years for financial reasons. We are good friends and support each other. Unfortunately, he has been showing signs of early onset dementia. I convinced him to move to S. CA to be closer to our daughter who seemed willing to be supportive and helpful…
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Sister lives with me
Hi, My sister has Alzheimer’s and lives with me now. The past few weeks she has went downhill fast. This is what is going on with her.staying by herself more and more,hiding things,not taking baths,doesn't want to do anything only sit around I try to get her interested in doing things but she when I turn around she’s gone…
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Navigating Family Dynamics: Post removed
Post removed
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Thread or group for research discussion?
I heard a report yesterday that there are at least 120 therapies in development and at least 75% of them involve targeting things other than amyloid. After that, I searched the name of the person who said that and came across a podcast where they were discussing some latest developments. Made me wonder if there is a thread…
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Using respite for the first time
One of the hospice services my husband is eligible for is respite care. We're scheduled to use it this week for a few days while I go to our nephew's graduation. I'm nervous about it. He's never done well in a hospital setting, even before the FTD (seriously, he tried to leave the ICU hours after having an MI in 2015). I…
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Separating Parents in AL - How to handle the physical move itself?
Suggestions for Thursday's move? We have to: Tell our mother (stage 6a/6b with anosognosia) we have decided that she and Daddy need separate rooms in order to receive the care they each need Respond to her confusion, frustration, fear, and anger (her symptoms manifest with great anger) Support our dad (who already knows…
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Comments on Medicare Proposals on Improved Hospital Care for Dementia Patients
Michael Ellenbogen wants to encourage anyone interested to make comments on this measure. I am going to include Michael's comments: Please get people to make comments on this site ASAP. Very important. You must submit your comments by June 10 on the Regulations.gov site. Pls see the proposed CMS Measure link added here.…
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Parents in AL, likely moving to MC soon and too hard to visit them
I moved both parents to AL five weeks ago. That was difficult enough. Then last week the DoN called saying both parents seem like a better fit in MC. We met at the facility and agreed to try an increased level of care in AL "for now". After only five weeks, I did not want to disrupt my parents and with another move so…
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Lumbar Puncture?
Good evening everyone. My mom was diagnosed today with Alzheimer's. But she doesn't fit the diagnosis 100%. The part of her brain that should be damaged/shrinking seems to be fine on the MRI. So the doctor suggested a lumbar puncture to 100% confirm the diagnosis. I know the procedure is painful and causes issues, so I'm…
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Really Mom? LOL
They really don’t know how bad off they are, but they notice everyone around them. Mom was complaining to me on the phone about the other female residents of the AL. They seem to keep watch over her since my step-dad died: monitoring her eating habits, checking her progress ( or lack thereof) on the puzzle she’s been…
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Choosing an acceptable meal or menu
I ponder whether to ask a PWD what they want to eat, or whether I should just choose what is healthy. The former brings some joy but may not be healthy. The latter may be good for health but a person may dislike it. Ideally, you can find something that meets both needs. I understand that the sense of taste or smell…
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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…