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Interesting observation
The nurse who evaluated my LO for hospice made an interesting observataion. He watched my LO's hands and asked if he had ever been screened for autism. ( I don't remember the exact wording, but he was very tactful) Later, he told me it looked like stimming behavoir, which is common with autism. My LO has no history of…
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Wanting to go outside all the time
I am my DH primary caregiver and he can no longer be left alone. In the past few months I feel that so many things are changing. Since the weather is getting nicer he has started to say "I just want to go in the yard for a few minutes" . He comes back in 5 minutes and does not leave the property. But then he does it over…
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MCI-- treatment with Lecanemab or Donanemab
This is my first post. I am a caregiver for my DW who was recently diagnosed with MCI with an APOE 3/4. We will be having an important discussion soon with a neurologist who is going to present us with the two possible treatment options of either Lecanamab or Donanemab; but we are quite fearful of the possible negative…
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Talking about someone in the 3rd person while speaking to them
We suspect my 89-year-old mother is progressing from early- to mid-stage dementia but don't have a diagnosis yet. Recently, there have been a couple of instances where she's referred to the person she's speaking to in the third person. Like telling her granddaughter, Lauren, about "the basket that Lauren made" or telling…
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Looking for advice on parent who wants to travel but can’t
My mom’s sister recently passed. She lived 2000 miles away from us and had no kin. I need to travel to help handle the estate, etc. My mom keeps insisting she’s going and I have to explain that she can’t travel. She gets disoriented in her own home and needs supervision 24/7. As much as I wish I could take her with me,…
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Hospice assessment
I'm ready to have my husband assessed for hospice. He doesn't meet all the criteria on the checklist, but I've been encouraged to have a home assessment. Any tips for those of you that have done this? I plan to tell him it's an assessment for insurance coverage, without mentioning the word hospice. Anything I should be…
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Possible AZ prevention from anti virals + shingles vaccine
I have not read anything about this before:…
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Transitioning to AL
My mom is in a community with IL, AL, and MC. She’s been in IL there for 2 years and it’s time to transition to AL. We know she will eventually need MC too. Any tips on easing the transition when it’s in the same community? In a way it should be easier due to the familiar environment, but there’s also a feeling of being…
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Hiring through Care.com
Hello - we are looking to hire someone in the immediate term through care.com until we can get mom's long-term plans settled. For those who use or have used care.com: What questions did you ask when interviewing candidates? What red flags should I be on the lookout for with candidates? Any watch-outs to be aware of when…
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Teeth pulling
My mother has alzheimer's I say mid stage, but her Dr has never stated what stage. Anyway, she has been telling me for a few weeks that I took her to a dentist that ground all her teeth down to nothing and now every time she runs her tongue around in her mouth all she feels are broken teeth. Well since I know this never…
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VA - Veteran benefits
Just wanted to give an update on possible Veterans Benefits. Service connected disability: File for it if the Veteran meets the qualifications. There is a list of diseases that are presumptive for Agent Orange. Parkinson's is on the list and I believe Alzheimer's & Dementia should be. I would file for Social Security…
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Had to step back
Long story short, I live long distance from an aunt with dementia. She has family who live near. When it was discovered aunt had dementia, family expected me to take care of aunt. Move in and handle everything. Everything was dire. The family didn't want aunt alone for a second. I did what I could and explained I couldn't…
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Rapid Progression
The progression of Alzheimer’s can jump suddenly. My wife was diagnosed in July 2016. Her rate of decline stayed fairly steady until last December. In memory care, she walked 12 to 18 hours a day, she could feed herself, and she talked a lot of word salad. In the middle of December she was hospitalized with a urinary tract…
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Leqembi infusions
Have your persons been doing Leqembi infusions? Has it helped? What can you tell me about these infusions.
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Everything Relying on a HATS (Healthy Aging Transition Services) Assessment????
I'm new to this group and have found the information very helpful. In January, I moved my 75-year-old sister from Florida, where she had lived for 47 years, to central Indiana. Before the move, I was aware of her memory and vision issues, but now, two months later, her cognitive abilities and vision seem to have declined…
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Anyone else taking care of otherwise healthy dementia patient?
Taking care of 85 year old with late stages but body is amazingly healthy, amazes the nurses and doctors each time,,,strong heart, good breathing, strong appetite, and can feed herself most of the time. One should be delighted right? But she is in late stages requires 24 care, is beyond any kind of converstation, but gets…
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Leqembi - medic alert bracelet
What are people putting on medical alert bracelets for LOs on Leqembi so that they aren't given an anti-coagulation drug accidentally? I'm wondering what words are best to convey this in a small space.
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Palliative Performance Scale
My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in July 2016. To keep track of her progress I used the Global Deterioration Scale, also known as the seven Clinical Stages of Alzheimer’s. She was recently placed on hospice and I was introduced to the Palliative Performance Scale. I shared it with a friend, whose wife is in the…
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Inhaled aromatherapy improves cognition in those with cognitive impairment
Unfortunately, I don't have access to the whole article, but here are some of the key findings from this meta-analysis. The effect of inhaled aromatherapy on cognitive function in patients with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis Inhaled aromatherapy improves cognitive function in patients with…
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Dementia caregivers in the UK
Is anyone here from the UK?
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Scam phone calls
Has anyone else’s PWD come to them with the news that someone called to tell them they won the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes? It’s happened twice now. Sadly, the second time she didn’t remember the first time or she probably wouldn’t have chatted with the caller. Fortunately, she still has some reasoning faculties…
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Overwhelmed? It is the loved ones of those with Alzheimer's who bear the greatest burden.
It is the loved ones of those with Alzheimer's who bear the greatest burden, and often care for them at the expense of their own well-being. It is common for family members and loved ones to find themselves thrust into this nightmare completely unprepared and ill-equipped for it. Sadly, much will be damaged or completely…
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When is the right time to intervene?
Hello, my mom is 76 and has been living alone for a little over 10 years after losing my dad. She has heart disease along with artery disease from genetics and smoking 2 packs a day for over 30 year......damage is presenting now. Most of the time she doesn't know what day it is, she can't do her bills or sort her meds…
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Incontinence
Has anyone had success using a wireless floor mat alarm? If so, where did you purchase it?
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Easy website for answering questions about my father's condition
My father has had Alzheimer's Disease for the past 7+ years and has progressed into a later stage. I've had lots of questions along the way and I'm finding it really frustrating to search and visit lots of websites for simple answers. Just discovered pfizer has a new website that answers questions. I put in some questions…
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Thank Your Past Self
Please take a moment and think about something you did in the past, that makes your present situation better. When I started caring for my parents, as I began each visit, I made a new note on my phone. It was always titled Thank You! Each time I benefited from one of my past actions, I put a hash tag on my note. For…
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Retaliation after ADA Accommodation Request
Does anyone have any experience with retaliation after an ADA Accommodation is requested/approved that you would be willing to share/discuss?
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New research angle- Sugar
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Driving
How do I begin the conversation with my DH who is beginning to show signs of driving incompetence. He rooms over to the lane beside him and straddles the lane lines, he hits the brakes abruptly when he gets in a close situation or even when pulling out of our driveway and sends me forward without my seatbelt on yet even…
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Pill frustration
My PWD is on donepezil and mematine and has been doing really well with managing the doses in morning and at dinner. We set up a system that has worked with these as well as the other Rx meds she takes. Then after some dental work the dentist Rx’d an antibiotic that is a different dosage schedule. The amount of confusion…