I Am a Caregiver (General Topics)

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Hi there, I am new here. I am the caregiver to my father-in-law, who was fairly recently diagnosed with Alzheimers. We will know more about the exact stage he is in once he has an upcoming test on 10/19. Until then, my father-in-law is also on the spectrum and has a tendency to fixate on certain things, particularly…

I've read about reducing sensory overload for PWD, such as turning off TV when eating, talking or answering slowly, and even using earplugs (if they still have good hearing). My experience is mostly with problems with visual or sounds. Did anyone experience problems with other things like rough fabrics (clothes, seat…

My husband was diagnosed with LBD in 2024 but has had it for 5 to 6 years prior. I have asked him to sign a POA because if something happens to him, his daughter from his first marriage who he doesn’t speak to, will get everything and I will be left out in the cold. And he keeps saying we don’t need one. I think we do. He…

Hi everyone. I'm new here. My mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. She just turned 78. She had the bloodwork (she is APOE E4/E4), the PET scan— Centiloid Value: 57.70, and other things like cognitive testing, MRI, etc. However, with all of these they did not tell us a STAGE of Alzheimers. Everything just…

Humorous things happen with dementia patients like over twenty years ago when my mother was diagnosed with dementia and we were at a second visit with her psychiatrist and she asked me the date and wrote it on a tissue she’d wrapped around her finger in case the doctor asked her what day it was and then another time she…

Just wondering if anyone had seen this new to Netflix but not new movie. It wasn’t good in the sense of being an entertaining little escape but I think that it was very well done. Definitely some bits that hit too close to home. Was a tough weekend for me. My Mom’s cognitive decline seems to be accelerating. It’s hard for…

Hi all, I'm new here. I have a much older sister in her mid-70s (one who I hardly knew growing up) who lives in another county, about an hour away—still in her own apartment. The only other family member is our brother, closer in age to her, who lives a bit closer to her, but is rarely involved. As I agreed years ago to be…

My father is bed-bound with late-stage Alzheimer’s in MC. He needs complete assistance with diaper changes, repositioning, eating and drinking. He sometimes resists care and screams and scratches during diaper changes, especially when being moved, so changing him really requires two people. My concern is that he sometimes…

Is it ever too early for placement? I feel like we could go another year caregiving at home but what is the point? My oldest son (35) has lived with us for 4 years to help practically and financially. My DH is 83 stage 6 & I am 54—-bankrupt & unemployed after 4 years of full time caregiving (and a lifetime before that of…

My DH was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 2 years ago. He is ashamed of this disease and didn't want to tell his family; including his daughters. I did tell his daughters he was experiencing symptoms and the results of his tests. They have been very supportive. He has responded to ALZ medications, but his short-term memory has…

My DH is transitioning between stage 7 and stage 8. He has mixed dementia and is receiving hospice care. He is now in a memory care facility. There are at least two other people in his section who are also dying. I have been with my DH for 6 to 8 hours each day for a week now. So far I haven't seen anyone in his section…

Hello to everyone out there. If you’re reading this, odds are you are living the nightmare of ALZ or dementia in some form, as am I. My sincere thoughts are with you all. I’m reaching out with the hope of connecting with someone locally in Bend, Oregon who may also have a wife with Young Onset Alzheimer’s. My wife and I…

I’m mom’s caregiver. Dad died in June and he was her caregiver until he got sick in Feb. Mom had one grief counseling session and wants more. The hospice facility dad was with offers 3 free sessions. I want mom to have more. They don’t do private pay. We have another session coming up in a couple of weeks, but Mom is in…

My DW is in her Depends 24/7. She soils them with urine more than going to the toilet. If the Depends are full she resists me trying to change her. It's very frustrating. Has anyone else experienced this? On some days, she's fine with me changing her. On other days it's complete resistance. Sorry to be gross about this.…

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The friend I assist keeps asking me what the status is of a few of his major possessions. His sibling has repeatedly told him the status. His family has sold some of the possessions and has given the more sentimental items to his children. Would it be helpful if a list of the items were to be created and posted somewhere…

I knew that reducing too much mental load is good for a PWD, and I find the keeping things completely the same is a help. This includes the brand of crackers, color and pattern of a dish cloth, TV schedule, etc. Even a small change seems to create confusion, as PWD would ask all day where the dishcloth was. (the old one…

I'm new to this discussion board and just joined this as a way for support. My family just recently told me that my grandmother has been recently diagnosed with Early on set Alzheimers and this weekend me and my mom are going to tell her the news that its becoming a reality that she will be starting to live with us most of…

I love this panel to ask for help and guidance. I moved my mother into the assisted living facility where im the director of dietary. She was having tooth issues and recently got it fixed. She still says it hurts every morning but once she is up and moving about for the day, the pain goes away. Family feels the pains not…

The numbers in the headings are gone. I sincerely hope this is not permanent, as I found that feature to be very helpful. It was helpful for greeting folks new to the forum, and sympathizing with those going through a rough time who may have been here longer. Just wondering - thanks.

Me and my brother are both helping to care for my grandad, my nan too and he has carers come in multiple times a day because it's a lot for us to deal with. He's recently stopped breathing, or struggled breathing every day for the last 7-10 days. Breaths every 30-40 seconds and in a lot of pain, he's had care come out for…

My parent was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a couple of years ago. They live with our family, and with small children we are stretched very thin and increasingly concerned about safety/ability to care for the parent. Parent worked low income jobs and social security amounts to less than $2k per month; they have lifetime…

I wonder how many long term primary caregivers of elderly with ALZ or other issues lives get ruined? Dealing with these issues with little help and no end in sight is soul crushing and full of nervous breakdowns for the caregivers.

Hi - I’m new and have not posted before and value what everyone has to offer. I help care for my 91 year old FIL who is late stage Alzheimer’s and has been in memory care since January. My challenge is with my 89 year old MIL’s unfavorable behaviors. There was great resistance when we moved my FIL to memory care since my…

Hi all, I know there is often a lot of questions regarding timeline of different stages on here. I have been documenting my mom's progression of early onset alzheimer's and I thought I would share. For context, she has no other health issues, and is 64. Hope this helps someone! Late May/Early June —Has began needing help…

I am sure there is no routine or common visiting schedule. Someone recently asked me how often I visit my mom, and I told them about once a week. In reality, it is less than that. I guess I thought if I told them the honest truth, I would sound like a horrible person. Truth be told, I could visit my mom every single day…

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Hi there, I’m new here. My husband, who’s 64, seems to be heading down the path of Alzheimer’s, which is hereditary in his family. He’s seen a doctor and had scans that confirmed there’s something happening. He prefers a natural approach and doesn’t feel the need for medication due to potential side effects. He’s always…

Hi, Newbie here. My mom was dx with alzheimer's about 5 years ago. She was in a slow decline (mostly just short term memory) until about 8 months ago. Now she gets very confused, is forgetting certain people, sometimes even my dad. He is her primary caregiver. We have hired part time help so he can leave her to run errands…

Hi, I am new here. I hear because I know my mom has been having some congnitive decline. She has had afib (controlled) for maybe 9 years and sees a cardiologist yearly for a check up. He made an appointment with a doctor to establish her as a new patient and oddly enough she was willing to let me go with her. I wasn’t…