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keeping oxygen on
hubby keeps taking the tubing off and canola out of his nose. Very important to keep his O2 numbers up. Any advice on how to keep it on him. He has been up for 1 hours straight and he has taken tubing off app. 20 times since then. I have it on as snug as possible.
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Care Colloquium in Roanoke, VA
I'm previewing 30-minutes of our documentary Wine, Women, and Dementia at The Care Colloquium conference in Roanoke, VA, on Monday, November 14th. Is anybody else attending? If so I'd love to meet you in person!
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 10/15/22
POWER THROUGH HIS SPIRIT * GOD THOUGHT: Ephesians 3:14-16 * “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” * VICTORY THOUGHT: God’s Spirit grants me…
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Is this normal in dementia?
I see this question in so many forums, FB groups, Reddit, every space where us family caregivers congregate for help! So I decided to give write up my answer, let me know what your's is. The Question: What's normal in dementia?…
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MIL advancing, DIL primary caregiver.
Hi all! I am new here and just wanted to reach out. I am the primary caregiver for my MIL. I have cared for ALZ patients before and have moderate knowledge, though anything new always helps! My MIL used to dislike me a lot, since the ALZ has come about I am her favorite person, usually..... there are days where she blames…
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Checking vision and hearing
My wife is in stage 6. I’m sure she needs updated glasses and I wonder if she hears well. Are there ways to check vision and hearing for someone who doesn’t understand verbal directions? Someone who is incapable of providing feedback? Thank you, in advance, for your responses.
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Mother thinks grown son is a missing child
My mother has been having Alzheimer's symptoms for a long time now. She of course doesn't think anything is wrong with her and that it's my dad who has Alzheimer's. She thinks he's her father. He's having health problems too and the majority of caring for both of them is all on me. My mom isn't comfortable with anyone…
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Memory Care & Diagnosis
Hello everyone,I have a question about the memory care placement process. I have heard from other caregivers that having a dementia diagnosis may actually put you at a disadvantage when applying to memory care facilities as it may prevent your loved one from being accepted and/or may increase the cost of care. I also…
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8 Months later
I joined this forum sometime in 2021. It was a wonderful resource for advice and comfort during a very trying time. My dad died in February. I miss him so much. A Facebook memory popped up for me today and I was reminded what a difference a year can make. On October 7, 2021, I was alone in my room crying and self soothing,…
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Privacy of your online medical records - using health care websites
I'm sorry for the deadly dull sound of that subject line, but here's some stuff I learned today. The short background - my sister Peggy has Kaiser as her insurance, for better or worse. I've generally been okay with them, except for their website shenanigans. Since this last May I haven't been able to use their site when I…
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What to wear?
My mom is sliding out of her jeans. She walks around (literally) all day and little by little they fall until her whole pull up is exposed. And we struggle so much with jeans whenever we change her after accidents and what not. What would be the best attire for her? She doesn't go anywhere but like I said we are fighting…
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Feeling both exhausted and guilty
It's been nearly 5 years since I realized there was a problem and started the process to get Dad diagnosed. Dad's in a great MC facility now with wonderful hospice nurses, but it has been a long road for both of us. Two months ago he spent 10 days in the hospital, with my sister and I doing 12-hour shifts at his side. He's…
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Refusal to shower and bedtime pressure
Hello, New to the message board and the org. My 88 y.o. mom has Alzheimers and my dad and I care for her at home. She has zero short term memory, but still physically capable and dresses, takes meds, articulate if engaged (but not initiating conversation much) and can operate TV...the BEST at wheel of fortune, etc. Looking…
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Soft Meals
Hello. We prepare soft food for my mom who has a hard time for chewing. Here are 2 questions for giving her nutritional yet tasty food. She loves Mexican food. Any recommendations for Hispanic food that can go into a blender that is also nutritional? Any ideas for meals for an individual who is bed bound, low muscle mass?…
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Incontinence alternative
I just learned about the PureWick female external catheters now used in hospitals. It might be useful for some of our members. My neighbor used it after her surgery and said it was great! Iris
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A few things…
1. Mom is officially being discharged from hospice and their services cease tomorrow at midnight. Daunting… I’ve got to get some equipment in, bed, low air loss mattress etc…Got a virtual appointment with moms PCP tonight to see what we may be able to have covered by Medicare. So glad I didn’t leave that practice. Her…
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Testimonies of doctors and caregivers about Simufilam
Simufilam is a new drug with a new mechanism of action. A phase 3 is now open with 150 locations recruiting in USA. Latest results show no side effects and improvement in cognition for 68% of patients. Here are some testimonies of caregivers and doctors with relatives taking the drug. I suggest you take a look if a loved…
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2022 National Alzheimer's Summit Alzheimer’s Prevention, Detection, and Treatment The Power of Us
Please donate to this great organization. They are the ones bring much of the change you see today. https://www.usa2summit.org/?sourceid=1073707&emci=9da55103-2a47-ed11-b495-002248258d38&emdi=cb12a20e-e148-ed11-b495-002248258d38&ceid=5966765
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 10/8/22
A SERVANT’S HEART GOD THOUGHT: Mark 9:35 “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” VICTORY THOUGHT: Jesus calls me to serve others and put their needs above my own. PRAYER: Make me a servant, Lord; one who is humble and meek, and empower…
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Neurologist in Baltimore / Howard County Area?
My wife has seen a couple neurologists about Mild Cognitive Impairment (which I believe she has), but I haven't been impressed by either of them. When I research online (and get references from our primary care physician), I am also unimpressed. I'm hoping to find someone who gets good reviews AND specializes in dementia /…
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Pill Cutter
Hello, Having difficulty cutting pills in half evenly. I tried a few different pill cutters but am still having the same issue. Does anyone have a pill cutter they recommend? Thanks!
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Mild Cognitive Impairment - What to expect?
My 92 year old mom was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment a couple of months ago, but has been having noticeable memory issues since having a heart valve replacement in July 2021 (she was under anesthesia 2x in 2 weeks). The CT scan she had several months ago did not indicate Alzheimers. Two weeks ago, my sister and…
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Cutting back on visits
Because of moderate stage dementia, my dad is at the best possible facility for long-term care. I can't take care of him myself for various reasons. Since I trust the facility, talking to clinical and administrative staff often, and keeping in touch with dad, it seems the necessary hovering I did up until a week or so ago…
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won't go to appointments
Well my brothers neuro testing was to be tomorrow. He won't go. He says there is something fishy about it and he isn't going to go. I can't make him. He doesn't want to go to any of his appointments. I have no POA so I can't make him. What do you suggest? I waited till he was in a good mood and til the day before so he…
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seeking residential care suggestions near Boston/Quincy, MA, WITH INSULIN SHOTS
Hello, I posted here once before but didn't get many good suggestions, and perhaps my subject line was confusing, so I am trying again with a clearer subject. My mother has both Alzheimer's and diabetes, and is at the stage where she can't be trusted to take her own meds (really, hospitalized and nearly died this past May,…
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hubby not doing so well
he's had episodes of what nurses from hospice think are TIA's. Twice this week very unusual. He was awake 70 hours straight, was giving him lorazapam, haldol and morphine, after 4 doses of morphine over the day yesterday he finally fell asleep around 10 pm. Sleeping most of today, no meds given at all but his breathing is…
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We're all REALLY lost and worried we're too far behind the curve
Hello all, I apologize for the length in advance. First time poster here. I've spent the day desperately trying to find support & I'm so glad to know this resource exists. My grandparents (86 and 84) have both been diagnosed with dementia. Unfortunately, we are not sure the type, what stage or much of anything really. We…
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First Time Poster Searching For Support
A very long vent …. hoping someone has some words of comfort and wisdom I am new to the board, but have been lurking and reading posts for years. I decided to join because I have come to the conclusion that you can never truly understand what we as dementia caregivers go through with our loved ones … unless you have lived…
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She's missing her grandparents
Lately, mom has been stuck in a loop of missing her family. For a while it was her parents and now it has changed to her grandparents. I sat with her this afternoon and she kept bringing up her grandparents, saying things like "I wish I could go back" or "it isn't the same" and getting teary. I'd talk with her about it for…
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Dad has aspiration pneumonia, not treating, stopped sustenance 3 days ago
For someone I didn't always like when he was well, I'm surprised how hard this is. My dad last ate some thickened liquids Monday, kept choking, today is Friday. He's got aspiration pneumonia, is on oxygen and coughing up gunk that I wipe away and my stomach is turning but I don't want to wuss out and leave him alone. So…