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Refusing Treatment
My DW has moderate-to-advanced AD. I am her caregiver and managing without help thus far. DW has arthritis in her thumbs and frequently suffers from strained muscles in her lower back. We have seen specialists for both problems. The doctor's instructions were to use diclofenac sodium gel for the thumbs and lidocaine…
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Moving mom this week
I am moving my mom to memory care this week and it is causing an extreme amount of anxiety. She lives with my brother who does not give her the care she needs and who is not on board with this decision at all. I cannot take care of her full time so although she is at about a 2 (I would say 3) caregiving level, I have…
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Dementia Report
A bit lengthy, but there is some good information in this report (via Michael Ellenbogen). https://milkeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/report-mind-the-gap-investing-in-dementia.pdf
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Stairs
We live in a ranch home on a hill. My husband has FTD and is getting unsteady on his feet. We have to climb a set of stairs no matter which way we enter the home. The most gradual incline is from the driveway to the back porch and in through the kitchen. However the patio is made of large stones, two levels, uneven and…
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Sleeping ALL Day-88-year old Mom
I’m new to this group. This summer I’ve seen my Mom deteriorate. She wandered outside, which was a first, and the last few weeks there have been occasions where she has not recognized me. She also frequently asks to go “home,” even though she lives at home. Now I’m seeing her sleep A LOT and she appears more frail. She’s…
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How do I place my wife in a memory care facility?
Terri is at stage five now and declining. I'm ready for us to go into a facility where I can leave when I need to and know that she's going to taken care of. But I need the facility to stop her from leaving when I'm not there and I'm not sure about the law around that. Do I need to acquire guardianship? Or something else?…
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Where has my husband gone? Loss…
I find myself asking that question often. He’s here physically, but he is not the man that he was when I married him. I feel so sad today. Yet it doesn’t bother him as much since he doesn’t even realize how much he’s changed. he’s inside the grocery store while I’m waiting in the car because I just don’t have the patience…
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Overwhelmed
My husband recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's (63) and caring for aging parents. I am feeling very overwhelmed and sad and just all the feelings. I am really glad I found this group. I feel like I need somewhere to go to talk about what's happening and this seems like a safe place. I've already read some of…
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Becoming a personal care surrogate
Hi! I am brand new to this group and so appreciate the networking with others who are navigating the care of a parent with Alzheimer’s. I’ve been trying to be proactive about this. My brother and I hired an elder law attorney. We established power of attorney for my brother and Healthcare proxy for both. He and I work…
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Evacuating in an Emergency
Greetings. When the Guadalupe River recently flooded, the police ordered everyone on my street to evacuate. It was a very scary experience. Here are some lessons I learned: It could happen to anyone at anytime Follow the directives of the authorities Be calm and be firm with your PWD Know where to go and how to get there…
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Dementia Friendsgiving
This looks like a good event (via Michael Ellenbogen): Save the Date for Dementia Friendsgiving! Save November 18, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM ET for Dementia Friendly America’s inaugural Dementia Friendsgiving! We’re giving thanks for people and organizations from every corner of the dementia-friendly movement. Sign up to find out…
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Preparing LO For Death of a Friend
Hello everybody! I hope everyone is enjoying their summers so far. I am writing to try and gain some insight on how to handle this situation, for me and my mom. My mom is 61 and in the moderate stage of her Alzheimer’s. We live in an apartment building and have been very close friends with the woman that lives above us for…
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Advice on letting go of the guilt and next steps...
My mom is a recent Alzheimer's diagnosis (in the last 6 months) but has been on a steady, slow decilne since 2021. Since her actual diagnosis, things are rapidly declining and I have so much guilt that I am not there for her more. She lives with my Dad/her husband still but is mostly alone during the day while he is at…
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Mother is getting worse
So my mom has been showing signs of dementia/Alzheimers for over a year now. We recently found out that she has atrophy of the brain but did not ask them to test for the reason. She, and my daughter and her family, are living with me temporarily because to add insult to injury she had a tree fall on her house so they are…
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Improving Services and Programs for People with Dementia
Michael Ellenbogen sent me this excellent, concise article on how to improve the care and treatment of people with dementia (including his own recommendations). https://progressally6yogf8hc32ioroi.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/list/Journal/99/j99-delorenzo.pdf
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Mother refusing to go to respite care
Moving my mother into my house was, in retrospect, a terrible decision. Now she won't leave. We've crafted a story that my daughter, who lives across the country, needs my help and I need to go, so she is going to a "hotel" while I am gone. My mother thinks she can stay by herself in my house. I explained that I can't…
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I need help making a decision about supplementing food intake in late stage 6 DH
My DH is in late stage 6 dementia. He is almost non-verbal, double incontinent, in a wheelchair and unable to do anything for himself without assistance. He has been moved from a MC facility to skilled nursing because he requires so much help. He has to be fed, but he eats well and taps his finger when he is ready for…
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Sundowning - Changes when new people arrive
Hi, my 80 yr mom seems to be having some severe sundowing with Agitation and hallucinations . On the worst nights, we have gone to intervene for my step dad. When my husband walks in (or EMS or police) she seems to snap back into reality and becomes herself again. Is this normal?
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Ivermectin for dementia
Ivermectin gained popularity during COVID-19, where some people claimed it could treat or prevent the virus. The problem is, sometimes, news articles or social media can misinterpret early research and spread misinformation. When it comes to dementia, what most scientists and major health organisations, like the…
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Progression and caregiver changes
DH continued to decline with the rivastigmine and has developed significant hallucinations and a persistent delusion about a dead friend who isn't dead. The companion who had been with him almost a year quit because he couldn't tolerate DH's rants and accusations. He was started on Trazodone and Buspirone due to his…
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Dr. took mom off all meds
My mother was on Memantine, Donepezil and Quetiapine. The first 2 caused her explosive, continual diarrhea the last caused her extreme skin picking. This is the 2nd day and I have noticed that she is better so far. I read where Quetiapine should never be given to Alz patients, but at the day care center everyone of them…
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Not much support from family,
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Forensic Psychiatry
Neurologist suggests my wife suffers from Anosognosia as well as Alzheimer's. Doc is suggesting testing by a Forensic Psychiatrist with an eye toward legal Guardianship. Anyone with this experience care to chat with me?
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Near the end
Lately, my (66yr old, stage 6, early onset) husband has been taking his penis out and peeing on the floor as he's walking to the bathroom. Two different sources have told me they saw this behavior, "near the end." Does anyone have experience with this? If he truly is "near the end," I'll 1)Ask hospice to assess him again.…
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From the NYT: What to Do When a Loved One was Diagnosed with Dementia
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/well/family/dementia-diagnosis-advice.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Rk8.WazS.hyIqt9FeloJq&smid=url-share This talks about next steps and how to prepare for them. It's pretty basic, but might be good for someone new to the disease. HB
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10 Absolutes in Dementia Care list
Recently shared by another member here. Thanks @Chug
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From Kerrville, I Thank You ALL for your Thoughts and Prayers
Greetings everyone. My family and I are safe and accounted for. I'm sure you are aware of the tremendous damage in Central Texas. The loss of life is unimaginable and heartbreaking. I am grateful to everyone who has reached out. Your thoughts and prayers lift me up and keep me going. The community and I sincerely feel the…
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HEARING AIDS
This is a very practical question. My wife has mid to early late stage dementia. She has delusions and hallucinations about "a man" who comes into her room and removes, moves, or takes her things. Because of this, she routinely hides her hearing aids. This usually happens before she takes a shower or before she goes to…