Caring For a Spouse or Partner

The Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch is looking for your feedback! To help us improve the tool and better support people living with dementia, caregivers, and healthy volunteers in finding clinical studies, we invite you to complete a brief survey. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete, and your input will…

Caregivers in select cities are invited to join the free AI Skills Jam for Caregivers & Community Health on November 10. Hosted by the Alzheimer's Association, OpenAI Academy, Caregiver Action Network, and the American Diabetes Association, these hands-on workshops will provide practical guidance on using AI tools safely…

Happy October!!! One of my two favorite months. We always took a weekend trip to Eureka Springs to see the pretty leaves. I miss that. We had some rain overnight, not nearly enough. I only see see two puddles. It is nice and cool though. Ron, so sorry your weekend celebration didn't turn out so well. Hope you're feeling…

My DH has been diagnosed with Early On Set Alzheimer's - He is still working and plans on going on Social Security Disability starting in December. The company he works for carries Short Term Disability on him. If I am understanding correctly he can file for the STD along with the Social Security Disability. Is this true?…

I am 12 years younger than my DH who has Alzheimers for the past 6 years(or even more??). My DH is in stage 5 they say. He would rather eat, sleep, watch TV. I have tried many resources for socializing for him, even to take him to visit his sister. He'd rather stay home. Seems selfish to say, what about me? I'm 62 and…

My DH with AD was diagnosed with terminal agitation/restlessness and put on in-home hospice about a week ago. He was extremely ambulatory, verbal and could do all of his physical ADL's without assistance. A month ago I placed him in a MC facility for a 30 day respite so that I could have some work done on the house and get…

DW may be in late stage 5, which progressed rapidly over the last 6 months or so. Especially after several falls causing a brain bleed and a month in the hospital. - july /aug. Most days sun-downing is very difficult with her wanting to go out to the home she grew up in (not a possibility), and causing much anxiety on both…

After 58 years of marriage, how does one cope with the fact that she is not the same person? I am not angry with her; I just am having trouble with the situation. She was always so fastidious, the type of person that would not dream of going out or being seen without hair done, makeup on, proper clothes. How do I keep from…

The MC facility is great. Helpful, friendly staff with a clean environment. I'm wondering about the best way to leave her. I have read that's it's best to just drop her off and have the staff take over and then "slip out the back jack". Long goodbyes are not supposed to be ideal. Any of your experiences would be…

My Hubbys personality is changing. When we go to a party, he can no longer tolerate all the noise and activities. He gets "lost" easily and ends up just sitting alone. I know or feel this is due to his brain not sorting out all the input. He then complains all the way home that he is ignored. If someone says something nice…

Every day for the last 2 weeks between 5 and 6 p.m. my DH has had chills, shaking, rapid breathing and insists on going to bed. Once in bed, these symptoms will subside, and he will stay in bed (other than getting up to the bathroom ) for the next 12-13 hours. Today, he experienced this and went to bed at 1:30 p.m. He has…

For three weeks now, my husband has wet the bed through his Night Depends, and even with a pad and waterproof mattress pad I am doing laundry of his PJ, Shirts and sheets. Out of all the issues we have dealt with over the past 4 years with him losing so many capacities, I feel that I have dealt with them well, but this is…

This is my first post. My brother and sister both have Alzheimers. Fortunately, my sister has family nearby and is in an independent living facility with her husband who also has dementia. My immediate concern is my brother. He has lived alone for over 35 years and is over 1100 miles from me. We have a family support group…

My 56th wedding anniversary was one I rather forget . Spent all day Saturday watching tv with my DW. Got 1 text and 1 phone call wishing us. Nothing from my 3 beloved kids. Topping it all, for the very first time my DW wetted her diaper… first sign of things to come. What a bloody life…

My wife has advanced ALZ. She is reasonably mobile but in severe cognitive decline. She still recognizes me and depends on me for everything. She has no interests, can't read, can't follow a movie plot, can't play games, is not conversant and grunts and points instead of speaking. She needs to be doing something all the…

I find my husband wanders the bedroom at night without my knowing. What can I put on him to know if he is up. Sometimes he needs bathroom help but doesn’t tell me. I wake up to a mess.

My DW was recently diagnosed with ALZ and prescribed Memantine. I think she is past early stage ALZ as she has been having worsening symptoms lately. It seems like there will be limited support from the Neurologist other than saying "Yes she has ALZ and here are some links.. good luck and see you in 6 months." I'm just…

For those people who have found success with seroquel, what dosage are you using and how often is it administered? We started on 25mg once a day to treat agitation. We saw no effect and moved up to 50mg once a day. We found some success with that dosage and have been on 50mg once a day for about 8 months. Lately the…

As you get deeper into the Alzheimer’s journey there is a conundrum you face when dealing with the agitation or anger from your loved one. You have to remember to forget who they were prior to Alzheimer’s, and lose the expectations you once had of how they would handle fights with you. Maybe in the past you both would…

When considering a facility, is it wrong given we are not wealthy people, at this stage of my life I do not need that type of help or assistance. Is it wrong to not want to be confined to a much smaller and restricted living space. But then am I a banding her, a banding her, even though I would be spending the majority of…

I'm going to start touring MCFs Monday and am looking for the important questions I should ask. Not planning to place DW yet however I am setting a plan for if something happens to me. Will also use the information in the future if permanent placement becomes necessary. If anyone can suggest questions or something I should…

My DH uses a patch daily of Rivastimine because he had upset stomachs taking Aricept. He usually takes a shower before bedtime and I always ask him if he put on his patch. Over half the time he didn’t remember so he goes back in the bathroom and puts it on. Yesterday he got up and didn’t feel well all day. He could barely…

My DH is in a transition phase between life and death. Hospice has given us information about what to expect but it doesn't make sense. Supposedly my DH can now hear us even though he hasn't been able to hear for a couple of years. During this phase we are supposed to share memories with him but he doesn't even remember…

About 5 months ago DH with Alz forgot how to turn on microwave…just stood there punching random buttons. I figured it was a sign he was progressing. Then a month or two later, he forgot that we had a garbage disposal and, in fact, didn't even know we had one. Another sign of progression, I thought. But since then, he has…

My wife has just been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and has been approved for treatment with Leqembi. We are wondering what comes after the 18 month treatment. Does the disease return to its original course or is it delayed for some period of time. I guess I am asking what we can expect after the treatment.

My wife of 36yrs was diagnosed in 2024 with early stage Alzheimer's and is being treated with monthly infused Kisunla to reduce the amyloids on her brain. My health since then has worsened and I am challenged spiritually by faith. Unfortunately I took life for granted by putting somethings off until later. She's 64 and I…

DH with EOAD/FTD told me last night that five times in the last few weeks that when he wakes up in the morning he said he felt like he was dying. He wants to go to his cardiologist and get checked out…which there is nothing wrong in doing this. Could this be due to his dementia? Almost like a hallucination? But, I was…

Hello to all. I had to take a break for a few weeks. Was at my wits end! I think I am a bit better at adjusting to the ‘new normal’. I have a question for those who are caring for LOs at home and brought in hospital bed, wheelchair, bedside commode, lift, etc. When did you know it was time? I believe DH is entering stage 6…

My DH with VD is still continent and can do his ADLs independently. His memory is pretty good, is aware of his surroundings, doesnt wander and is still ambulatory. We have a urinal in each vehicle to facilitate frequent urination and urge incontinence. He will use it, but sometimes struggles to get his jeans zipper down…

Has anyone heard about or tried Kisunla infusions? It’s supposed to halt dementia symptoms (I don’t know for how long) but not reverse it. I’ve read that the success rate is high. It is FDA approved since 2024. There is a process you go through before knowing if you’re a good candidate. Would love to hear experiences. TIA

My husband has always had a very short fuse with his anger. He would only show this behavior maybe once a year over the last 49 years. Now he has Alzheimer's and while his long term memory is still intact, he has very little short term memory. Over the decades he has never remained focused on a "problem", and usually would…