-
FAST Scale and info sheet
@harshedbuzz shared this link on a different discussion. I’m bringing the link here to discuss the info sheet about the FAST scale. https://alzconnected.org/home/leaving?allowTrusted=1&target=https%3A%2F%2Fmccare.com%2Fpdf%2Ffast.pdf We’ve always said that a PWD can skip stages or have symptoms from different stages at the…
-
Should I share my own surgery recovery with my LO that is in assisted living?
I have been caregiving for my mom for 4 years, moved her to assisted-living two months ago. I was consistently visiting her 4 to 5 times a week to assure her she is still loved and we are not abandoning her. She has vascular dementia and is resistant to much care so she doesn’t let the assisted-living staff do hardly…
-
10 ways to help caregivers
In no particular order. All of these apply whether the PWD is at home or in a facility. Ask about the PWD. And listen. Ask the caregiver how they are doing. And listen. Give the caregiver flowers, chocolate or wine. Send the caregiver a nice or funny card to tell them how much they’re appreciated. More than once. Offer to…
-
Mom with VD in final stage need advice
Hello, I've connected with others in the past here and have always appreciated the support and thoughts/suggestions from others. Mom has VD likely mixed with Alzheimers. 2.5 yrs since diagnosis. Likely had mild stage for a year prior. I am an only child. I placed Mom in a MC assisted living facility when it was obvious she…
-
When is it time for palliative care?
My DH has been in and out of Geri-psych units since May, and has spent more than a month in his current unit. Halfway through his stay, he developed aspiration pneumonia and spent five days in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. He’s back in the Geri-psych unit now, but has had a significant decline. He’s on a puréed…
-
Humming
my DW is humming songs all the time that she is awake. She also fidgets with her fingers a lot. I ask her what she is humming and she says she’s not humming. Any thoughts?
-
New research on the timeline of Alzheimer's
Research is being called "ground breaking" Alzheimer’s May Progress in Two Phases, Transforming Understanding of Brain Damage - CogniFit Blog: Brain Health News
-
How to explain why hospice means no hospital?
Mom has been on hospice for 3 weeks. No matter how many times we tell her she is not dying, she won’t believe us. Hospice has added Seroquel and Ativan to her list of medications Fast forward- she fell Friday, didn’t hurt herself. She fell midnight Saturday night. I was called and told she didn’t hurt herself. I tried…
-
VD and Panic attacks, Fear
My mom has VD and I feel like she is entering another stage of disease. Lately she has been having daily panic attacks and is fearful of many things. I called her today and she was breathing heavily because she said she saw a racoon (which I think was a squirrel) and was scared that it was going to come into the house. She…
-
When it rains it pours - for real
I’m unloading. I need to get this out of me. My DH is probably stage a 4 or 5. Holds great conversations and reads, but his ability to process information is mod/severe. I don’t understand how both occur at the same time. His speech therapist gives paperwork where he has to complete questions such as: name a cold dessert…
-
Where to find help
My wife has been diagnosed with MCI by the neurology department at Mayo Clinic. She functions normally in day-to-day activities: cooking, driving, personal care, and interaction with others. What's missing is the memory of recent events: times scheduled for events, meetings, community events. According to the tests, some…
-
Ok - Need advice and suggestions multiple languages
I’ve become my mom’s full time care taker a few months ago. I sold my house, remodeled their basement and moved in to stay with her. My mom was my best friend we had fun together and did mostly everything together. She is 78 and we’ve been fighting this crappy disease for 4 years; unfortunately she is getting worse.…
-
Urinary Incontinence/retention
My brother lives with me and is struggling with urinary retention. He has Alzheimer's and Down Syndrome. One option that has been mentioned as a solution is a Suprapubic Catheter. Does anyone have experience with this?
-
Medicare GUIDE program
No formatter is installed for the format not-found
-
How do I get my sister to the doctor?
Hi, I am new to the forum. I am sure this question has been asked by many people that are starting this journey. My sister thinks she is fine and ignores our requests to have her make an appointment to see a doctor. We know that she is not managing her finances properly and is making very poor decisions and possibly making…
-
NY Times: Can Crosswords and Games Prevent Dementia?
Gifted link good for 30 days. Can Crosswords and Games Prevent Dementia? Experts say the answer is a puzzle. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/well/mind/dementia-brain-training-puzzles.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WU4.wf9A.a9CM36TJzQcw&smid=url-share Main take away: Perhaps Dr. Gandy summed up the debate best: “I don’t…
-
Suggestions for daily activities
I am having trouble finding things for my spouse to do each day. He wants to be doing something all the time, but some tasks he simply can’t do successfully. Any activity suggested for a guy who wants to be busy?
-
Getting Someone Diagnosed
Hello, my mom lives with me and I've been seeing signs of dementia, depression, anxiety in her. At times, she will say " I think there is something wrong" and when I suggest talking with a doctor, she immediately says "NO". I had a virtual appointment with her PCP and she couldn't believe what I was telling her. She said…
-
Jekyll and Hyde
Has anyone else experienced their loved one being "in their face" for hours in the middle of the night screaming obscenties and accusations, forcable holding them down on the bed when they try to leave and then days later wanting nothing but sex from them?
-
removed
No formatter is installed for the format not-found
-
PWD asks what are symptoms of dementia
PWD asks me what what are the symptoms of dementia. I was truthful, and PWD (with anosognosia and living at home) would say "Well, if one gets to that stage, one need to get placed into a facility". There was little realization that PWD already exhibits some of these symptoms. PWD probably has been thinking of the topic,…
-
Mom is in psych hospital after suicide attempt
anybody had their person in a psych hospital ? How long did they stay , how does the evaluation take place ? We don’t have much information, Mom was admitted a week ago , after suicide attempt they don’t seem to do anything apart from monitoring her , and want to meet us in 10 days we are all (kids) at the end of our rope…
-
Michael Ellenbogen's Observation from the Alzheimer's Association Conference
Michael wrote an article sharing his experiences and observations from last summer's Alzheimer's Association International Conference. He let me share his article with you. https://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/journals/neurology/abstract/aaic-2024-from-the-perspective-of-a-person-with-dementia
-
Puzzling Symptom Improvement
DH is physically in Stage 7 ALZ and has been in hospice care for 11 months. He also has CHF and effects from a stroke in June 2023. The past 2-1/2 weeks have seen a major change for the better in his mental skills and alertness. Before, he often didn't know who I was, didn't speak beyond "Yeah" and "No", and slept about 20…
-
Hospice medication changes
Mom has been on hospice for two weeks. She’s been extremely anxious. Hasn’t left her room much at the AL, had her meals brought to her room. The first week she kept accusing me of abandoning her to the hospice staff( I was there 5 times in 9 days). The second week she called me 3 times a day with the same questions: what…
-
Transportation Services
Hello, I am looking for recommendations on transportation services in the East Metro of St. Paul Minnesota. thankyou!
-
NY Times: When Dementia Changes a Loved One’s Personality
Link shared for 30 days. The article has many good observations such as "boredom can cause mood swings" https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/well/mind/caregivers-dementia-mood-changes-management.html?ogrp=ctr&unlocked_article_code=1.Vk4.cyQb.h1Cqo3bOKJ9O&smid=url-share
-
Cognitive Stimulation webinar
From Michael Ellenbogen: Reminder : Registration is open for the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center’s next webinar on August 27, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Programs: Directly Supporting People Living with Dementia. Additional information about the August 27th webinar and the…
-
Long term care
How have you handled the transition to a care facility? Mom has intermediate ALZ, and it is starting to progress rapidly. My dad has almost died 2 or 3 times this year due to the stress of being a caregiver. Right now mom is in a COA program, I do the cooking, laundry is done by my sister or me, and my siblings and I…
-
How to handle critical relatives
I have a question that I'm sure has been covered before. How do you deal with relatives who don't help with care yet are full of advice and are somewhat critical if anything happens with your loved one. More specific my mother has a UTI and on her birthday my sister and my aunt asked when am I going to place my mother in a…