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New to this board(4)
I am the sole caregiver to my husband, age 75. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012 which seems like eons ago! I retired early to enjoy the ‘good years’ before Alzheimer’s took over. We moved from Minnesota to Arizona where we lived for 6 years. Life became very challenging for me because he didn’t want me to be out…
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Loved one refuses to drink water
My LO refuses to drink water, is at 3a CKD, chronic diabetic, legs swelling profusely yet refuses and takes off her compression socks. Constant battle to remind her or put a glass of water in front of her to drink as it turns into an argument. Have been advised to give her drip drops or liquid IV however, LO will not drink…
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Pay Phone Style phones? Dad is taking phones apart and nurses have taken phone access away
Hi all - just wondering if anyone might have recommendations for a phone that is not able to be easily taken apart/hidden by someone with dementia? My Dad just went into hospice and because he has been unplugging his phone's cord and wrapping it in different places/hiding etc. the nurses have said that it's easiest for him…
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Still grieving diagnosis
My DH of 41 years was diagnosed in August, following the spinal tap. We are beginning a clinical trial at Emory and are going through the set-up stage. He has been, and still is, the dearest man you could imagine. I’m just now seeing more of the glazed look in response to a question, some directional confusion, and…
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Nothing makes sense anymore
The last two weeks my mom has been going into her own place mentally. (Tested for UTI- negative) from the time mom gets up- she just stares around like she has no clue what is going on. Sometimes she will walk around and then stand somewhere for a while. The last couple mornings, she gets up and for at least 45 minutes…
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My mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. A couple of questions...
Hello, all. My 79-year-old mother was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's Disease in December 2020. I am my mother's legally designated patient advocate. This is my first posting on this or any message board. Our first step was to see a neuropsychologist in March 2020. This doctor's report stated that my mother was suffering…
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Book or free webinar recommendations?
A friend recently gifted me 2 books through Kindle called The 36 Hour Day and another called Surviving Dementia Without Losing Your Mind. I am purchasing these in paperback copies for my dad who is the primary caregiver for my mom (PWD). Are there any other books or online resources that any of you found to be helpful…
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Questions(4)
I'll try to make this short. 1. My father is on aricept and memantine(sp?) I quit taking him to the neurologist because his assisted living doctor refills them and I'm not sure there is much left for the neurologist to do. I would say he is late mid stage maybe. He is living like his mid 20's, doesn't talk about my mom and…
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New(6)
I am the primary care giver for my mom, 87, who has never received a dementia diagnosis. She was diagnosed as MCI about 7 years ago by her psychiatrist that we do not care for. Which leads to my first question - should I seek a diagnosis from a Neurologist? We have many services available I suspect because her medical care…
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Seroquel and mild heart attack
Mom was put on seroqul last October. Earlier this week she was in the hospital for a mild heart attack. Questioned the nurse practitioner at the hospital wondering if the seroquel could have been the cause. Shevtold me no and was very dismissive. I know about the black box warnings for this drug. My mom is 5 ft tall and 85…
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Covid Vaccine
My moms health portal said she can sign up for a Covid vaccine between now and next year same time. What choices are caregivers making for their LO’s? I am. It sure what to do for mom.
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NONSTOP. CONSTANT. CRYING.
Oh my gosh, can someone tell me what to do? She cried nonstop yesterday from 8am to 2:45pm. CONSTANT. NONSTOP. Repeating over and over and over "nooooooooooo.... noooooooooo... nooooooooooooo..." in a haunting voice, not her real voice. She finally fell asleep at 2:45pm and slept until 9pm when I forced her to get off the…
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Diapers for Men, Issues?
Just to start off, this may be TMI for some readers, so don't read it if you are not interested, LOL. After a long search any many products that just were not good, we settled on Medline extra absorbent overnight diapers with tabs. It's the only kind with a LOT of padding, especially in the back. I get it that people are…
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home care vs facility
Trying to decide best place for Mom with ES dementia symptoms. No dx yet based on scans, but clearly diminished capacity- short term memory issues and loss of exec function. Sheis otherwise healthy but weak, uses a walker and mostly stays in bed. What are the pros and cons of keeping her home with live-in help vs putting…
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Mirtazapine OR Trazodone for SLEEP?
I'd greatly appreciate any feedback on which drug is best for sleep. Mom is 80 years old, stage 5/6 and living in her home with my Dad as primary caregiver. She is up roaming the house while he is trying to get some rest. She is fairly easy to care for with the exception of not sleeping. I'm trying to help them with…
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How to get POA when person is in denial
Hi everyone, My mother probably has anosognosia because she is adamant that nothing is wrong with her. She has been having issues for years and we finally got my brother to agree that she needs to move out of her house in Georgia. Her doctor said he's been telling my brother for years also. We almost had her in an…
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Severe speech issues
My grandmother suffers from severe memory issues that we believe is Alzheimer's, but do not have a formal diagnosis for. It's to the point where she forgets things after only 10-20 minutes of doing them (putting out cat food, loading then immediately unloading dishwasher, washing bedding, etc). She also suffers from…
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Strange things you carry for eldercare
What peculiar things do you find yourself carrying for eldercare? Here are a few of the odd things I find myself carrying everywhere as I care for my mom: * A pacifier holder containing mini bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Never know when mom wants her hair done. The bottles of shampoo, conditioner and styling gel keep…
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Supporting LDR boyfriend through his mom's decline
Hello all - I have never turned to a platform like this, but I was not sure where else to turn. I will try to be brief. I am looking for guidance from other's who may have been in a similar situation, and any guidance on how I (28 yo) can support my long distance boyfriend (27 yo) We have been dating long distance for 4.5…
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Crying Everyday + Increased Anger
Hello. I've posted before about this but it's still going on and looking for some guidance. My mom with EO (diagnosed early 2016) has been waking up and crying/sobbing for about a couple months now. This can go on for a couple hours or on and off throughout the day. She also has been increasingly angry/agitated (fighting…
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Memory Medications
Do you get to a point where you stop using memory medications and just let the alzheimer's take its course or do you keep using them until the end?
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Mom with alzheimers afraid to go to bed with “strange” man in it
My mom who has moderate stage alzheimers and lives with my Dad. She sometimes is confused who my Dad is. This typically was happening during sundowning, but has also been happening recently in the morning. She will call me and my siblings saying there is a “strange” man in the house, she is afraid and is going to call the…
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Is she being stubborn, or is it really too much for her??
Mom's been sleeping and staying in bed more, when she first started I asked her if she was tired, said she was bored. She is in moderate to late stage, she seems to know who her kids are - even though she gets us confused with each other - her short term memory is nonexistent. Sis is really worried that Mom is in bed too…
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FREE Improv for Caregivers Workshop
https://stompinggroundcomedy.org/course_types/ifl/ An online interactive and experiential workshop for caregivers of dementia and Alzheimer's to gain new communication skills using improv.
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 1/22/21
DO WHAT’S RIGHT * GOD THOUGHT: Esther 4:14 NIV * “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” * VICTORY SHOUT: God leads me! Obey…
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Hometown Help
Joined some time ago, but first time posting. My father (72) was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a couple years ago, and probably within the mild/moderate range of the disease. I'm currently living at home with him and my mother and she is his primary caregiver (though I help when I'm able.) More often than not, he'll have days…
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New here and dealing with emotional overwhelm
Hi all, Just found this forum today and it looks like a lot of great support here. My heart goes out to all of you who are caretaking for someone you love with dementia. My mom has been living with us for a little over a year and a half now. There are some good days and some not so good....as I'm sure you know. She can be…
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Any suggestions on adult grade childproof drawer locks?
Everything I have seen is for children, but the problem is my ADLO is strong enough to overcome most of the commonly available options. Has anyone seen an option that would be suitable for adult use?
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Husband in early stage dementia and is in denial
My husband is 72 and in early stage dementia with aggression and outbursts and denial. The stress of his anger and behavior is hard on me makes my stomach ache. He can be mean. He will not accept the changes in his mental health. What can I do? I was a caregiver for my Mother who dies of AZ but never lived directly with…
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Just placed Mom in Nursing Home
My Step-Dad finally cried uncle and we placed my Mom. Yesterday was her first day and she is resistant and of course so confused. I'm just feeling terrible for her. There is no question that things at home were not good. My SD had become overwhelmed and exhausted. She has been very confused for the last year and has begun…