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Identifying a real request such as "I'm hungry"
Sometimes, I hear a request such as "I'm hungry" that isn't for real. Let's say a PWD wants to eat lunch at 11:00 am, so I prepare, even though it's a bit early. When ready, I hear "It's too early, I don't want to eat". I think for meals, it's better to stick to a regular schedule, but there are other times when it's hard…
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Automated toilet flushing sensor?
My mom with Alzheimer's still lives at home with my dad. She was diagnosed 4 years ago and is in the moderate stage now. She can still take care of some of her own personal hygiene, but of course we are starting to see those decline (e.g., doesn't shower/bathe anymore but still washes her hair in the sink). Over the last…
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Step-dads doctor appointment
Here’s a summary of what I put on someone else’s post last week about an upcoming doctor appointment for my step-dad: ==I will be taking my step-father to the doctor on Monday for what will basically be an appeasement appointment. He told me that ‘everything hurts’ and he wanted to go to the PCP. He complained about his…
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Alzheimer's Disease Research Workshop
From Michael Ellenbogen: HYBRID PUBLIC SESSION Research Priorities for Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias January 16, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET January 17, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ET The National Academies' Committee on Research Priorities for Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s…
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Sharing post by rachelj28 from the new caregivers group
rachelj28 Member Posts: 1 Member 3:06PM Hi - I'm new to this group, DH in process of confirming Alzheimer's diagnosis. Doctor feels strongly this is the diagnosis and has spoken to me about Leqembi and a clinical trial. Lots of information for me to digest and was curious if anyone else has any experience with how to…
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Early Onset Symptoms... What was your story? How did you tell your loved one that you were worried?
Hello everyone! I'm new here. My aunt reached out to me to let me know she was starting to become concerned about my great-uncle (who is in his early 50's.) He's been having some memory lapses and increased anxiety/frustration. His father had early-onset dementia, and this has us especially worried. We're trying to work…
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Skilled Nursing Facilities
Many of us could write a book! I have been a caregiver for my brother for the past year when he 'crashed' with Dementia. He's been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia. He was repeating himself for years but 1500 miles between us made me quite in denial I guess of how he was progressing. In september '22 I flew to him…
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finally bringing in caregiver help
Hi everyone, back after a bit of an absence! My Mom is starting her new job, and I really ought to start going back into the office when I'm able to, so we've finally reached the point where we need to bring in outside help to keep an eye on my dad and be available to help when we're not able to. My parents' house is tiny,…
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Talking to self in mirror
My DH with Alzheimer’s has been greeting himself in the mirror and I was wondering what people’s thoughts are about this. He also says hello to birds that fly by and waves hello at things when we drive by.
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Talking in sleep
I haven't seen this addressed here. 77 yr. old wife is early stage7. When she falls asleep at night she talks in her sleep, dreaming? Words are somewhat mumbled but the inflection and sentence structure are there. This goes on right after she falls asleep, REM. later she calms down but gets up 3 - 4 times during the night…
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New caregiver group reminder
Just a reminder that I started a group to capture the information regularly shared with new caregivers. I added some sites and documents that are often shared (Tam Cummings Handouts, for example) and started a few discussion threads where I thought we could add useful member posts so they're easier to find later. This site…
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Being asked: "Why so glum?"
When a LO & PWD asks me why I look so glum, I don't want to truthfully answer why. I admire those who are able to stay chipper in light of all challenges. I think I am unable to hide my feelings well. I think a PWD can detect emotional state well, and if I say I'm OK, it may result in even more concern. Maybe I ought to…
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Visiting my dear friend in Florence, AL35630 next week: How to adress the topic?
Hello, I am Kerstin from Germany. About 35 years ago I stayed with a family near Chicago for while to take care of their disabled son. I returned to Germany but we stayed in contact ever since, we are like family. The mother (age 76) has now been diagnosed with dementia, but is in denial. At present she lives at her…
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Community Medicaid
I am currently going through process to get my husband approved for community Medicaid. My understanding from the company I have hired to advocate for me, is that an interview will be required by the state, with my husband and I to determine hours I will be allowed. Hours will be positioned more as respite for me. My…
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Despondent and leaving...venting
Hello Fabulous People, My ahort walk with my LO has become shorter yet, as I succumbed to pneumonia and will head home to recuperate. My LO's POA is stepping into the space I filled and navigating moving my LO, as well. I advocate as best I can. I love as best I can. I try to bite my tongue when I hear things said that my…
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Geriatrician
Hello I’m new here! I take care of my 81 year old mother with dementia.my mother is home bound. She has strong upper body strength but weak lower body. She muffled her words then there are times she can speak a full sentence. She needs assistance with all her adls but she has a heart of gold and is sweet. she went to the…
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Meds on top of Meds
Lately it feels like the stage that my mom is at is only met with more medications. Currently she is on Gabapentin 300mg, Lorazepam, Sertraline, Quetiapine, Rivastigmine patch, and so on. Is this the norm? She has many psychiatric symptoms, has been officially diagnosed with early onset alz since 2019. Her symptoms are…
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Naomi Feil has passed
Naomi Feil has been an advocate for persons with dementia for many years. She instituted The Validation Method. Many of us have learned from her. Iris
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Stubborn
Hi. I only posted 1x previously and your help was great. Perhaps someone can help with this. My LO has VD and is in mid stage. He has always been stubborn but now much worse. Recent Dr appointment Dec28. Dr said no more driving. (He had a collision in the garage and damaged back wall and his truck) . He still insists on…
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It is finished.
Mom passed away today, about four hours ago, surrounded by family. Just wanted to pop on quick to mention... I'll probably be scouring the forum for things about the "eighth stage" with any spare time I have. Thank you to all who have helped my family by sharing your knowledge with me. Good night. -CWHAT
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Your PWD Can't Do Anything!
I have cognitive impairment and I can do less than fifty percent of what I used to be able to do. I see many posts enumerating tasks that the PWD can't do. A PWD can do much less than I can do, much less. They misuse things, lose things, and break things. They need failure-free activities. It is hard to accept but it is…
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Incontinence questions
Hello everybody, Inam to strung out to read and scroll, so please help me. 1. Does urinary incontinence always preceed bowels? 2. Can urinary incontinence appear to have dark brownish edges on the sheets? My LO, who's terribly over extended and stressed out awoke this morning and greeted me with, " darcy, I pooped my bed.…
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Moved discussion
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Tried to explain to DW what’s going on!
I had talk with DW about what’s going on and reasons for her memory loss , confusion and depression, thought went well when brought up 2 weeks later she looked at me like I had two heads. So so much for explaining this illness.
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Alzheimer's sister gets aggressive
I'm living with and caring for my 68 yo sister. She's probably stage 6. I know not to argue but what do I do when I need to get her out of her dirty Depends/clothes? She isn't able to follow instructions but she won't let me help her. I can't physically force her, of course. She has a habit of pulling down her pants in…
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MC and right fit
Hello Everyone, I just got off the phone with the Director of the MC that my LO's likely to go to. I asked how they determine whether assisted living community or MC community portion of their facility is the right fit for a PWD. She indicated a visiting nurse comes to the home for a mini test and self reported (!)…
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communicating with Memory Care Staff
My husband is in a new memory care facility. I know there is a period of adjustment for him and for the staff. But I want to be a good advocate for him as he will not ask for help on his own. How do I approach the staff with requests without feeling like I am a needy wife who is going to constantly ask for something to be…
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Am I expecting too much? Home health aides
We've had agency aides coming in for a couple of months now. We went through a few at the beginning because the aides sent really didn't know how to work with PWDs. We finally got a gentleman who was great with my husband. But he's become quite erratic. He often comes late and missed a few days mid-december (one where he…
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Clinical Trial?
Just received a phone call about two clinical trials that DH seems to be eligible for. Apparently (will call neurologist tomorrow- office closed now) his neurologist gave his name as a candidate for the trial. He had done a previous clinical trial that only involved him giving blood so I guess that indicated a willingness…
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New caregiver group
Hello. Bill recently posted some incredibly useful suggestions. It's not always easy to find older posts. Since this forum is hard to navigate at times and the search function is a little awkward, I thought I'd try creating a group to capture the information regularly shared with new caregivers. I added some sites and…