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From the NYT: Naomi Feil, dead at 91
gifted link https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/24/health/naomi-feil-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Qk0.mXNA.xPXReqf3GQ7z&smid=url-share
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New adult child caring for parent. My long intro.
Hi everyone, I'm new here and relatively new to being a caregiver. I myself am disabled and have had several family members with disabling conditions. Along with working in social work, this has given me a bit of an advantage at least in understanding some of the resources available (and not so available). I noticed some…
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New York Times Daily podcast: A PWD's new personality & desires
A podcast on "When dementia changes a relative, how much should they accommodate their new personality and desires?" Link to podcast on NY Times site, but can be heard on other places Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music The original NYT Magazine article
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Dad With Vascular Dementia with agitation/anger
Hello. Im new here. Just signed up. I’ve been caring for my father, who is 85 and physically healthy except for the moderate dementia with agitation/anger. I go to his apartment 2-3 times a week to make him take a shower, clean his apartment, take him to doctors visits, run errands. He lives in an independent facility for…
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Delusions that are scary
Hello all, This is my first post and I look forward to learning from you all! My father lives in a memory care community and has advanced small vessel disease diagnosed via MRI with advanced dementia. We moved him in over the summer on level 1 care, he is now at level 2 and has moved once within the facility. He no longer…
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More comic relief - we need some!
Yesterday I visited MIL (she sees me at least once a week, sometimes more). When I walked in she lit up and opened her arms for a huge hug - all 80 pounds of her - and said “this is such a surprise! I’m so glad to see you. What made you decide to come see me?” We chatted for quite awhile. It was a very pleasant visit. I…
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I guess we got lucky with this cancer scare
My poor DW out of nowhere a pimple appears inside front tip of nose, had treated for about 5 weeks nothing have biopsy done CANCER , wife and me freak out. Goes for PETSCAN best day thank God nothing now to Oncologist. It never ends.
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Hospital prescribed Zyprexa for agitation and combativeness...am I wrong to be Pis*ed off?
I am POA and while my mom is in hospital, dr prescribes Zyprexa after my mom became combative when they tried to bathe her. Nobody told me they were doing it. They now have her on a regular dose of 5mg and she's been on it for 2 days. She's a totally different person than when she went in. No words are making sense and she…
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From ALF to SNF but attempts to get out of wheelchair
Mom 9 months in ALF. Lost ability to do most if not all ADLs. ALF suggested MC or Hospice or else can't stay. Chose Hospice and stayed at ALF. Qualified for Medicaid in December to pay portion of ALF. Mom's personal money runs out in several months unless I sell her house which I'm still staying in. Fell out of wheelchair…
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I can't do this again.
I spent 7 years as a caregiver for an elderly parent and their spouse. I had to give up the majority of my social life to see to their needs. Every time I TRIED to schedule something for myself, an emergency would pop up. I gained over 75 pounds, and my mental health was suffering severely. Near the end, COVID hits. Due to…
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Richard Restak's book: How to Prevent Dementia: An Expert’s Guide to Long-Term Brain Health
Dr. Richard Restak has a book published late 2023. "How to Prevent Dementia: An Expert’s Guide to Long-Term Brain Health" The title is a bit of wishful thinking, but according to the description, it recommends good diet, exercise and other behavior to try to stave it off. I'll read it, but if you have already read it and…
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Oof - she was found wandering and in hospital now and then going to MC
My mom has been status quo for a while now with severe short term/immediate memory loss and confabulations. She stopped bathing and cleaning the house. We've been dealing with that fine. Then Friday someone in her neighborhood found her wandering in the cold with no coat or ID. He called paramedics and I got a call a few…
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Dramatic variations in cognition, capabilities in Stage 7
My 97-year-old mom has been in late Stage 7 of Alzheimer's for over a year now. On bad days she can't sit up, needs to be lifted into and positioned in bed, needs to be spoon fed pureed food, chipmunks food, often chokes, and when she speaks her words come out as gibberish. Her limbs thrash. About four months ago an old…
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aspiration
HI, everyone i've been a caretaker for my grandma for the last stage of her disease for the past 3.5 years. Everytime i think she was about to give up she has successfully recovered. But we are now in a phase where I honestly can't tell whats going to happen. She has begun aspirating out of the blue. She is on a PEG tube…
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Recent events update
For those of you following along with my life: Mom was getting better from her Dec 4th fall that fractured her ribs. Right up until Jan 12 when she fell again and annoyed those same ribs. No hospital visit this time. Last time she fell out of bed. This time she fell just after getting out of bed. Staff said her rollator…
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Self Care Resource - Adult Coloring Pages
I just ran across this website while scrolling through Pinterest just for fun. (Doesn't take much to entertain me, as you can see. Homebound for 2 years with a PWD LO will do that to you!) There has been a little relief in the homebound status at least for part of the last year plus and I'm very glad I did not give up, and…
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Public Comments on Alzheimer's Disease
Michael Ellenbogen wanted to encourage anyone interested to make a public comment so that the Advisory Council is better informed about the concerns, suggestions, and insights of caregivers and people living with dementia. ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT The next meeting of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's…
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Is Asking for Help Always Worth It?
I quit my job at my adult children's behest to stay home and care for their father, my husband. We have limited means so our oldest child (son) moved in with us and he gives me money monthly --barely enough to pay my bills. I have no more savings. I am not able to plan for my future. I am 50 & my husband is 80 with an…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 1/15/24
OUR HOPE IS GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE Psalm 147:5 New Living Translation 5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! 11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. When the winds of sickness, stress, anger and fear are strong and…
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Home hospice???
I am looking for your comments regarding personal experience as the full-time live-in caregiver. Home hospice, positives and negatives are? Eg: Is home hospice an interruption in your day that you could do without? Is home hospice annoying because they want to make as much money as they can by sending every discipline they…
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Just another set back
It never ends for my DW. After finally getting rid of car and wife ok with Ali felt breathing room but was wrong DW just found out has nasal cancer going to see oncologist next week getting PetScan tomorrow. I’m thinking maybe radiation as surgery is big deal and may mess up nose. I know anytime may DW goes under…
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Agitation
I have not written in a long time mostly because my mom settled in to AL / MC well. She will have been there for two years in March. We just celebrated her birthday and the holidays and she was thrilled. She has been a favorite in the facility as she is spunky, sassy and very with it (considering she has Alzheimer’s). It’s…
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Vascular dementia
How can I get past the guilt of not being able to take care of my husband anymore at home
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Alcohol related dementia
Does anyone have experience with alcohol related dementia? My son was just diagnosed and still in hospital awaiting placement (3 weeks). It seems very different from the AZ and VAD my husband had.
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I’m. Just. So. Damn. Tired.
I have been caring for my mother who has been declining with grace for years. Now, at 92, she is very frail, and often doesn’t remember how to stand or sit. She can communicate sometimes. She can feed herself but eats little. Lately, she has been getting up without assistance and has fallen. Now I sleep with her to keep…
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Types of Interventions that Can Help
This is a useful article about types of non-pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease that can help: "Addressing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia can include options other than medically based pharmacological interventions. Scales et al., (2017) identified multiple sensory and psychosocial…
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Selling Mom's Car with POA
I'm POA for my mom, who has mild cognitive impairment. I tricked her into moving to a CCRC near me per doctor's strong recommendation. (Thanks to members of this community who helped me pull that off.) She's in independent living, and many of her neighbors still drive. Her doctors have said she should stop driving and…
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UTI test strips
Does anyone use the OTC test strips to test at home? Are they remotely accurate? I'm sure a culture is more effective but I was thinking they may be handy in a pinch.
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Hello everyone
:) I am new to the group , I am a full time caregiver to my mom who has been diagnosed with severe alzheimers/dementia on top of a brain injury and a few other things I didn't know about she has been declining for years they kept saying it was mental health , well Last 3 months I have pushed to find out what's wrong with…
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Problems chewing
Hello everyone. I’m new here. I care for my grandma with dementia. She’s 97 (98 in April) and is in surprisingly good physical shape for her age, but her mind is going more and more. Recently while eating she forgets to chew her food before swallowing and it gets stuck. She ends up throwing up little bits at a time until…