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death, aftermath, touching back down to earth
Hi everyone, I always had the intention of returning to this forum and all of you once I'd had some space to process my grief. But it turns out, I don't think my brain is processing it! Unless it is.. and I just don't know it. I was wondering if posting here would help unlock the box of grief my brain has been quietly…
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One or none (zero) items is easier to deal with
I noticed that a mid-stage PWD may have an easier time with only one item (let's say it's a box of cereal) or none at all. Let's say there's an half empty box of cereal, so you bought a new one and put it next to it. PWD would take the full one, and try to refill the half empty one with it. It won't fit, so you end up with…
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News from UsAgainstAlzheimer's
Michael Ellenbogen sent me quite a bit of news from this important Alzheimer's organization. I just picked out a few of the stories. Meet the women of UsAgainstAlzheimer's As part of Women’s History Month in March, we released four videos shining a spotlight on some of the incredible women who are driving change through…
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Revisiting Staging Tool - noticing the (shocking) Caregiver info
Here is the 7 Stages of Dementia Behavioral Assessment Tool (DBAT) from Tam Cummings that has given the most accurate info for me. However, I only skim it. I review it every so often to see where we stand on progression, and to clarify my thinking on what may be happening with DH that I can address to make the day go…
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Diagnosis
I am caring for my husband. We have been to a neurologist twice. At the initial visit, the doctor ordered a sleep study, blood work, MRI, did several tests, and interviewed him. The sleep study confirmed significant apnea, blood test showed Lyme disease, and MRI was "unremarkable". I was encouraged to think that the…
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Just an update on DB
I've had a busy couple of weeks preparing for my home to be painted, having it painted, and now starting the process of moving things from the garage back in to the house. The weekend before the painting I asked DB to come over and help with the prep work, especially gathering up my e-waste and taking it to the local…
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Sleeping
Hi Everyone…. Aside from Seroquel is there any other medicine for dementia patients that helps them sleep through the night? Thanks = )
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Cheryl Wirth, transfer mom 93 with dementia to assisted living
I’ve been taking care of my mother at her house at night and my house during the day . I have become cranky and losing my patience more . I am 72 years old . Have put in application for assisted living memory care home . Do you have any suggestions on how to make the transfer as smooth as possible . I’m sure she will be…
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Mother-in-law with Alzheimer's diagnosis refusing treatment/diagnosis
Hi all, I am new to this forum. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's about nine months ago. Since then, it has been an uphill (upmountain?) battle. She has refused to accept the diagnosis and will not return to see her neurologist despite MRI and cognitive confirmation of the disease. She has…
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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.
No formatter is installed for the format not-found
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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
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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.