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Description of losing their words?
Losing their words is a term often used in a discussion of dementia symptoms. Can someone clarify that term? Does it mean strictly forgetting the names of items? Does it mean substituting a different name - calling an item by a totally different name - a fork instead of a book for example? Does it mean becoming non-verbal…
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Tissues Recommended: Commercial Beautifully Done Re Alz's
Perhaps not entirely realistic for many, but heartfelt and meaningful; beautifully done in its own way and meaning. Done with input from Alz Assn.: https://www.yahoo.com/news/finance/news/tears-streaming-down-face-chevy-003621454.html J.
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Dad is going downhill fast and he is mom's primary caregiver
My dad, the "good one", is mom's primary caregiver for the last six years as her dementia has continued to progress. He has COPD which he has had for 20 years and until about one year ago was managed well with medications. The last year however it seems no medication the specialist prescribes is effective. I visited them a…
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some updates - meds, guardianship, new behavioral patterns
Hi everyone, hope the holidays were smooth and enjoyable for everyone. I attended my family's Thanksgiving without my Mom which was strange. I really, really like our hospice nurse and the entire staff. Through all of this experience they've been the most supportive and like... comprehensively attentive out of all the…
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Important (free) e-book for new members
Forum mates - This e-book used to be recommended frequently to new members. It helps explain many of the behaviors and experiences reported on here. It provides valuable insight into how we can be more compassionate caregivers by understanding what our PWD LOs are going through. Even in early Stage 7, I refer back to it…
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Crying (and perhaps losing Anosognosia for a while)
A PWD cried a lot, saying "why am I living this long?", "I'm being such a burden to others", etc. In a few minutes, crying stopped and was content with regular activities and did not seem to remember the event. (I made no further attempt neither to recall the event, nor further console for fear of starting it again) This…
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How to transition LO to MC
My LO has lived with us for 4 years. We're in the process of moving her to a MC facility. She has ALZ and is early stage 6. Any words of wisdom on how to tell a LO they are moving? We've mentioned it a few times but it's quickly forgotten. Thank you all for sharing your stories.
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New admission to memory care
We just admitted my dad to a memory care facility for 30 days of respite after an accident (he is ok). We have known that he needed more care but my mom was hesitant to make the move. We plan on keeping him in memory care because everyone agrees it is too much for my mom at home. It’s been hard to know where my dad is in…
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Special Dementia Training Webinar via Michael Ellenbogen
Here is the information on the webinar: On January 16th, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. ET, the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center will host the webinar, Strengthening the Dementia Capable Workforce: Dementia Training for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Providers. A description of the webinar and…
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New Client. Need first step help
I am a caregiver to a new patient that I believe needs a whole new team of doctors. I have cared for many other patients also currently care for an FTD patient. The poor husband is 76 and is going crazy he has just brought us on board to help. I am not one to medicate however she needs medicated and quickly...she is very…
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Scared of the Future
Accidentally put this under the wrong subject. I am starting to feel a little scared of the future with my mom. She mentioned today that she doesn’t remember our Christmas’s of when my brother and I were little. It seems her memory is slowly slipping more this year. I fear this may be one of our last holidays that she…
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kikippa, a TV speaker for listening to gamma waves
I saw on TV a"kikippa", device that modulates gamma waves, through a box that resembles a sound bar, and was used for cognitive care for elderly in Japan. [1] Gamma wave modulation is said to help with some elderly cognitive therapy. [2]. It takes audio (like from a TV), and alters it to include the 40Hz sound that is…
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Finally! Much Needed Family Meeting.
My sister suffered a fall followed by 4 days in the hospital and a rehab stay. She's set to discharge from rehab soon and the plan has been for me to bring her home with temporary ramps, etc. Then we had our follow up visit with the orthopedic doctor. Based on what he said, I believe my home has too many obstacles for my…
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Speaking of music ... music therapy
I saw this article on The Guardian (from the UK) today. I like it. From the article: Music therapy has been found to ameliorate symptoms of dementia, such as anxiety, apathy, depression and agitation. Its impact is similar to exercise in releasing endorphins, with recreational group singing in particular leading to…
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Caregiving Apps
Hi there, I just downloaded the free app, Carely, to see if we can organize care and visits for my aunt. Her husband is her full-time caregiver and we are trying to make it easy for him to let us know when he would like a break or help. Have any of you used Carely or other app? Any good tips? Thank you.
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New Here & Need to vent - Mom has Alzheimer's and Dad is stubborn...
Hi Everyone - I am so happy to find this community as I am definitely struggling with many things! I mostly just need to share and vent and I appreciate the space to do so. Here goes. My parents (married 60 years) live together in a 55+ community (independent - no outside help except family) about 30 minutes from me. My…
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Temporary Mc stay?
My sister, who lives with me, recently fell and fractured a bone in her foot. She is currently in rehab set to discharge this week. The original plan was to bring her back home with me, but,.now I'm not so sure. The orthopedic Dr has waffles a bit about how much weight she should bear on her injured foot. My home is…
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Help
I’m thinking I’m a bad daughter bc I am not a patient person and when my mom ask me the same question 16 to 18 times I start to get a little mad. I know it’s hard in her and she doesn’t understand but working full time and taking of her . Let me fill you in. I took care of my step dad and my mom . My first husband died 20…
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Brother with VD, diagnosed in July '23
Hi. I am new to this. My first post. My brother is newly diagnosed with VD, but a neurologist just said he is in mid stage. She said to keep his brain active but I'm struggling with finding an option. He hates puzzles and solitaire and is not computer savvy. He used to do wood working but we need to keep him away from…
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Return From Respite Stay?
I've been reading posts on respite stays but haven't found any answer to one question I have. How did your LO do upon return home? How did they readjust to being home?
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Seeking ideas for finicky eaters
I care for my wife who suffers from AD. A big family Thanksgiving dinner yesterday made me aware just finicky her eating has become. No to turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole. We ending up giving her two of her favorites - steamed green beans and blueberry muffins. Ice cream did go down easily as well.…
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Care.com
I searched the archives and didn't see a discussion about this. Has anyone hired a caregiver through Care.com? What was your experience? Did you pay for their service to handle the payroll taxes?
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CCRC's. Good idea or bad idea.
New to Forum. Me 62/She 56. She was just diagnosed with early onset 2 days ago. We will be relocating from South America back to the USA. I am open to different States as we do not want to return to cold dark Alaska. (WA,TX,NV,UT,AZ, maybe FL.) I have looked at a few of these and they seem to offer many different options &…
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An observation
I think it's very interesting the things my husband hangs onto versus the things he has forgotten. Some things that I thought would be muscle memory are gone, such as which direction to turn a faucet. But other things seem to stick, such as speaking in a gentle voice to animals. One really surprised me today. I was…
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Tempers and Outrage
My mother has been diagnosed with Dementia and Parkinson's but is refusing to admit she has it which I am aware that this is normal. She is going against everything I try to assist her with including what the doctors have suggested for her. She has made me out to be the "bad guy" very publicly as well as point blank to my…
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When does this end? Advice needed
Heres our story,,we live in a small town in rural Kentucky, seeing as there are no good memory care homes my MIL lives with my brother in law she is 85 years old, was assigned hospice in Jan 2023 6 months later, hospice renewed for another 6 months,,coming up for another 6 months renewal in a couple of weeks,,mother is…
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Lack of care at AL- how to address
There have been multiple times that my mother has not received the care she supposed to receive in her assisted-living facility. The things she has not received are not life-threatening or anything (showering, helping get dressed or get ready for bed), but I am feeling very frustrated by this considering the huge amount of…
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PWD over-estimating their abilities - any strategies for coping?
My 94 yo mother was diagnosed with dementia last July. She is in stage 4. She lives in a CCRC. She's been there 6 years in a cottage living independently. Now we have a succession of aides coming in for various tasks, like medication management and general supervision. She complained about that a lot at first, but seems to…
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So tired of this
I am having trouble caring any longer. I have two LOs with dementia. Both are is assisted living (together). One is my mother. I’m okay with her. She’s sweet and easy to care for. The bigger issue for me is my sister. She’s a complainer, always has been. I do feel for her, but I never expected or wanted to be her…
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Follow the bouncing ball
MIL is in MC with dementia. She was in Hospice but was discharged because she had stabilized and was doing fairly well. Now MC asked us to bring Hospice back. Because MIL is declining at a rapid rate. MC cited mobility problems, loss of appetite and severe confusion. I have seen all of this myself. (No UTI) Two days and a…