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How would you answer them about age?
My grandma has started to ask how old she is. I’ve been reading “understanding the dementia experience” that so many people have recommended on here (THANK YOU!!!) and it mentions this and how it can be a shock to hear your age. Well, my grandma asked my mom yesterday and my mom told her the truth, and it upset my grandma…
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Jerking/Anxiety
Hi, My LO, who either has VD or ALZ (gotten both diagnoses from different doctors), has had jerking for a few years. Doctors could never find a cause. I always suspected it was due to stress/anxiety (the LO is a huge worrier) and has gotten worse as the LO's short-term memory has continued to erode, causing more anxiety…
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Endless phone calls
I was recently appointed conservator of my aunt due to the dementia. Phew! That is a big step, although there is still a lot of work to do (tracking down all of her bills, etc.). Here is my issue and question: My aunt has always been very attached to her phone - for years she would get up in the morning and start making…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 9/2/21
SEE GOD GOD THOUGHT: Matthew 5:8 NIV “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” VICTORY GOAL: The GPS of my heart is set on love for God first and next for all people. POWER PRAYER: Holy Jesus, guide my thoughts so I desire to do what is pleasing in Your sight.
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Expectations for Home Health Aide
My father has hired a Home Health Aide to help with my mother's care; she has middle stage dementia. What are the expected duties/job definition for that type of position? While she is kind to my mother she is passive in all her activities. She does not react unless my Mom directly addresses her. For example, my Mom asked…
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How do you find a palliative dentist?
Dad's dental checkup revealed deep cavities in a back upper molar underneath an existing crown, and additional cavities in the adjacent tooth. The dentist wants us to make a 2.5 hour appointment for restorative work and a new crown. Dad is Stage 5/6 and probably has life expectancy of two to four years, based on what I…
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Desire to go to other house/JohnDoe
My LO has this daily desire to go to our other house, which we don’t have. It can start any time in the day but mostly around dinner and as late as 3am. Some times she will collect a few things to take. It has become very difficult to deal with. Usually a ride around the back roads in the area will distract her, maybe…
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Grandmother wants to move back into her home
Hello, My parents and I help my grandma a lot but there are reasons we do not directly live with her. My father also has early Alzheimer's and so there is a lot to juggle. After a fall and hospital stay, my grandmother's doctor advised she live with 24 hours care. Her long term care insurance covered an assisted living…
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the dreaded hospice bed
Well the day has come. Mom is no longer in her queen bed from home, the bed she has had for a very long time. She is now in a hospice twin size bed with an adjustable air mattress. In all the transitions I have faced on this dementia road, this has been one of the hardest. And, the first time I have cried in front of Mom…
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New to this(8)
My Mother in law has vascular dementia and it is something she has had for a while. She was able to hide it from others but she is getting worse. She seems to swing wildly from a near catatonic state to a reasonable level of functioning (1 to 6 on a 10 point scale). She has been to numerous doctors and there does not…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 8/31/21
Friends here, first of all, may I thank you for your messages. I read each one and appreciate them.. If you need prayer, just ask in the comments. Hope we all pray for each other. And please feel free to add your thoughts on the verses I write. Peace and Joy to all! * FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND” * Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV…
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Conflicted(1)
My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about 7 years ago. At the beginning my sister did most of the caring although she was fairly independent. As the disease progressed and it became too much for my sister I stepped in to help. I switched jobs where I can partially work from home. At some points the roles switched and I…
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Alzheimer's Doctor in NYC
Hello, I am new to this board. My dh was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last week. We received our diagnosis from a doctor affiliated with NY Presbyterian but would like to work with a doctor from NYU Langone. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a doctor with whom they've had a good experience. I've seen Dr. Arjun Masurkar…
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Covid with Dementia
Hi all, This is my first post here, but in recent weeks I have gained so much valuable insight from reading your posts. My mother is 85 years old and has vascular dementia. She is completely immobile, and her food intake is at about 25 percent. Her liquid intake has declined to about 3 cups a day. She spends most of her…
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Vivid dreams advice
My LO has Parkinsons with Dementia and I'm her primary caretaker. She has just started having vivid dreams. She used to see a little girl and mom, last night she graduated to see a couple of men outside her bedroom. My sister (she just appears ocassionally), says I should tell her that the men aren't there -that she is…
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'no man's land' (AL/MC)
I touched on this issue with a reply to someone else, but it is where I find myself. I believe my LO is 30+% (could be close to 6, but just not sure) into stage 5. At this point I think they are easily beyond AL, but just not 'ready' for MC. It seems we are in 'no man's land.' I also think they are going to need a…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 8/25/21
BLESSED WITH PEACE * GOD THOUGHT: Psalm 29:11 NIV “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. * VICTORY GOAL: When I feel defeated, I will focus on the Lord who gives me what I need to keep going. * POWER PRAYER: Dear Lord God, forgive me when I think my own strength is all I need.…
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LO with Alzheimers / Dementia and trying to treat Osteoarthritis
Has anyone had to deal with a LO with Alzheimers / Dementia who is telling everyone that they have pain but based upon physical examination you can't figure out if it is real or perceived based upon how their LO's brain is functioning? My 84 year old mother has had some leg swelling and pain over the several weeks. She is…
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teleCalm
Has anyone used teleCalm? What has your experience been? Pros and cons? My situation: I'm conservator for my aunt and looking for a way to protect her. She LOVES talking on the phone - she will call people and talk for hours. But - she will talk with anyone about anything. For example, I spoke with her insurance agent a…
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Hospice/ meds
We’ve placed our mom on hospice, learning a lot about the offering. Once placed on hospice, all dementia meds are quit - if the loved one is on hospice because of dementia. Sooooooo, my question is do you all really thing the meds help? My Fam doc says not much. I’d love to hear what you all think.Thanks, Saya
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A snuggly dog for LO in OKC, OK
My name is Kobe. I am great with LO who have dementia. I am a snuggly, stay by your side but not get in your way, little dog. My dog pal of the past 12 years has a cancerous tumor that has made him out of sorts. My family took me with them to visit a friend, in Texas, with cancer. I loved being able to sniff around the…
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How do you solve the pocketing problem?
Mil pockets food in her mouth. If I take her plate away and give her a chance to chew she loses interest in her food (or gets mad) and goes back to bed. She basically only eats what fits in her mouth each meal. I don’t like her walking around with food in her mouth. We’ve already moved to mostly finger foods.
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Mom had a bad day!
My mother had a rough day, she wanted to leave. Kept talking about land that she thinks she owns and the people that she left there to work (she does not, and never has owned any 'land'). My sister says that mom was wandering around the house last night - sundowners I would guess. Mom is a stubborn woman - always has been.…
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Correcting vs. Reassuring?
My grandma currently has trouble remembering names and relations in the family, other than her deceased husband and her parents/siblings. I know this is normal for her stage of Alzheimer’s. However, she still has short moments of clarity during the day where she does remember that she has 3 daughters, sometimes telling me…
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LO self-awareness/extreme anxiety
Hi all, I'm hoping someone has some useful advice on a situation we're encountering with my 85yo Mom with late stage 6 dementia (guessing, not a diagnosis). She's receiving 24/7 care at home with hospice (no ADLS) following a pretty harrowing couple of months of surgeries/hospitalizations/rehabs due to a fall. She's having…
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Physical Abuse
Hi All, A new wrinkle to our situation, mom has begun to get physical. I was slapped in the face a few weeks ago and just yesterday she grabbed my hair and wouldn't let go. Had to get DH to come into the bathroom and pry my hair from her hands. She has also grabbed her nurse by the throat the other day while trying to get…
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Severe mistrust of doctors
I have about 1000 questions/concerns running through my mind since moving in with my grandmother (who has dementia) this week, but after reading many posts here, I feel like our #1 priority is getting her to a doctor for an eval. The problem is, she thinks the doctors/being in the hospital 3 years ago was what caused her…
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Hospitalization questions
How do you go about having LO hospitalized? MIL has not been diagnosed because she refuses to go back to the doctor. She has medications but refuses to take them. She is constantly angry and yelling at everyone. She has not become violent but it’s all day screaming some days. At this point we’re thinking hospitalization…
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Conditions That Mimic Dementia
- Infections including UTIs - Medications including but not restricted to: antihistamines, antibiotics, BP meds, sedatives, cardiovascular meds, asthma meds, corticosteroids, pain pills, antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, herbals and supplements, many OTC meds and more. (Never stop meds without MD input and guidance.) -…
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I could use your advice
I'm the primary caregiver for my mom with Parkinson/dementia, my sister helps out when necessary but I'm responsible for day to day and giving medications. I've never dealt with someone with dementia before, I have lots of questions. Here goes! 1. Recently my mom was prescribed Remeron (for appetite stimulant). She has…