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Our Last Mile
Well forum mates - friends, there have been many near-misses and false alarms on this long journey. My beloved DH has fooled us many times, or let's say trickster dementia has. Some of you will recall I saved his life at least a couple of times, knee-jerk reaction and loving instinct. And he was thought for sure to be in…
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Overwhelmed
New to this discussion and hopeful for some assistance/direction, words of wisdom….my husband was recently diagnosed with EOAD, with lvppa variant. Went to 3 neurologists. Told he is in mild stage. Scored 19, 20 on MOCA. Had a silent stroke but don't know when….cognitive and some immediate memory issues prompted PCP visit…
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Overwhelmed? It is the loved ones of those with Alzheimer's who bear the greatest burden.
It is the loved ones of those with Alzheimer's who bear the greatest burden, and often care for them at the expense of their own well-being. It is common for family members and loved ones to find themselves thrust into this nightmare completely unprepared and ill-equipped for it. Sadly, much will be damaged or completely…
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Dreaming of the future
We spend so much time caring for our demented spouses. Our lives are turned upside down and inside out, being dragged down the rabbit hole with our spouses to "dementia land". Our days look so very different with more work than we can accomplish and little time for ourselves and our needs. My husband is sleeping more these…
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Just need to talk to my friends (202)
Iris, cutting ice is a really important chore when it's freezing, otherwise either the cows won't have water or they'll walk out on the ice and break through into the icy water and freeze. I remember Charles cutting ice on the pond and when he would cut a big piece he would slide it under the unbroken ice. Usually would…
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Cooking doesn’t get much easier
Super Easy Mexican Chicken 1 can cheddar cheese soup 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can chicken breast small or large can (I don’t see much difference) 1 can Rotel tomatoes 1 small can diced green chilis Flour tortillas About 4 oz. Mexican cheese Mix first 5 ingredients together Lightly spray PAM in 8X8 or 9X9 baking dish…
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Your humor for the day...
I posted a few days ago a question about men's briefs and it was suggested that I purchase male "guards" as a way to combat the beginning urinary issues….several people answered, and then, today, we had this new turn of events. I thought folks might enjoy…. Well, a chuckle for those who answered my initial question…..DH…
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Rx question for the medical folks...
DH has knee arthritis, pain in the knee and back from his back, and now apparently arthritis in both his feet. The foot pain seems to be even worse than the other and sometimes so bad he can barely walk. The ortho doc prescribed a compounded cream for the knee, and several months later the podiatrist has prescribed a…
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Transition to MC Planning
We have had a really tough couple of weeks leading to a MC move decision. I am looking for insights from those who have done the MC placement. I think I have a fiblet that could work for the transition - I am not well, too fatigued and I have to go in for tests and likely TCU and the medical folks arranged for him to be at…
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Toured a few memory care facilities
My DH is in moderate stage and I plan to take care of him as long as possible, but been told to have a Plan B. I never realize the memory facilities are so competitive with each other. And, they are a little pushy at when to admit him. They told me they would not be able take him if I wait too long. My DH is doing good and…
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DH put on in home hospice care
The long road is heading towards the end. I am trying to stay strong, but with each passing day, the road becomes more treacherous. Last night DH fell after getting out of bed in the dark. In the process, he lost control of his bowels, in his Depends. Hospice said to call 911 for a non emergency lift assist. This is the…
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Are PWD capable of any kind of understanding of consequences?
My DH is probably in stage 5. Recently he has been accusing me of having a boyfriend and going out on dates when I am not visiting him. He is very crude in his description of what I am doing with this boyfriend, and does not believe any of my assurances that this is not true. I can't seem to get him off the subject and he…
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From Maybe to Reality
This past week, I poured out my feelings of guilt about being impatient with my DH to our pastor. Ignore any lack of compassion for the caretaker here, I wasn't looking for that. The entireity (sp?) of his response was who was treating him, was it a local doctor and how I needed to take him into the nearest large city to…
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Living with Alzheimer's - A Caregiver's Journey
My wife was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's eight years ago when she was just 60 years old. I have been her primary caregiver every day since then until her death last month. As a means to help me cope with this terrible disease I wrote a detailed journal of my experience over that entire time. The writing is in two…
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Incontinent briefs
I ordered 3 pair of incontinent briefs for DH, trying to find an interim solution for the drips and dribbles. I am pleased with the quality but surprised by one thing…the width of the crotch. I wondered if anyone considered this: the crotch from edge to edge is over 6" wide, exactly between the legs. Surely that is going…
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It’s Time to Get Help In the House
Hi Everyone- it’s time for me to begin to have some help here at the house. My wife will hate it but I can’t safely leave her alone anymore. Ugh! I have several options that I know of, and they go from high end to “not sure”. $48/hr to $15. Highly credentialed to more of a crap shoot (which this whole thing feels like no…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 2/15/25
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! Joshua 1:9 New International Version 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9Amplified Bible, Classic Edition 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very…
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Looking to connect first time . New
Hi names Tom , caregiver for wife , she has Alzheimer little over 3 years , middle stage and struggling . We both are . Finally reaching out . I am turning 80 in May , this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life . And saddest . Married 63 years , who would have guessed . Don't know what else say right now , but…
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DW just diagnosed with Early onset Alzheimer's
My DW (63) has recently been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's so we are in the beginning stages of dealing with it. We've been through 5 months of testing. Her mother is in assisted living and soon to be in memory care for alzheimers so she sees and knows the likely progression. We have 3 grandbabies and more on the…
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Scared and unsure
Iam so new to all this I apologize I just don’t know where to turn. My husband is showing signs of memory loss and it’s scary. I’ve got him to go to his pcp but I have no idea what is ahead. Iam having anxiety attacks and can’t seem to function well myself. This is a hell. I am just reaching out because I have no one to…
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Thank you all!
In my last post, I told how DH had the car key. That night, he left the key in the car while he was packing to go home, again. He asked me if I had the key, I reminded him that he had it last, but I knew the key must be in the car if the doors were unlocked. So, I told him I would help him look and sat in the driver seat.…
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New here and overwhelmed
Hello I am currently caring for my husband and am overwhelmed. The Doctor just confirmed he is in the early stages. Presented some approaches to dealing with this including the infusions. I shared this with my husband today and he didn't express much interest. Said it sounded like it wasn't safe and just not worth it. I am…
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Not taking it well...
Hi, I am totally new to this...writing and my husband behavior. I also have a hard time with sharing about our life but my daughter told me...mom find some group for your self I can't help you. My husband developed sings of dementia last year in february which we didn't noticed right away. It has been getting slowly…
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Car Keys
I have kept the car keys away from DH for several months now. Just now, he was verbally abusive and aggressive about the key fob that I had. He badgered and threatened until I gave them to him. I am so afraid he will drive off now. Though he just went to the garage and came back in. What do you do in these circumstances?
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Travelers to Unimaginable Lands
Sending best wishes to everyone. It’s two years since I joined this forum and since I’ve given up paid work entirely to care for my DH with Alz. Thinking back and looking at photos, it’s at least 5 years since he’s been certifiably loopy. It took me almost all this time to really get a handle on things & I know things will…
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DH's friend is stirring up trouble...
This person thinks I'm imprisoning my DH by keeping him in memory care instead of moving him to AL or independent living or back home. He doesn't agree with my care plan for my DH. I responded by saying "he's my husband, not yours!" whether you agree with me or not. He says he's done some research and can challenge my…
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What is the function of a neurologist after Alz diagnosis
I have searched for this topic and can't find anything related. My question, more exactly, is what can a neuologist do for my DH other than prescribe varioius meds or give him experimental meds? We have been through the non invasive meds and DH has had a reaction to each. We will not do the newer intravenious meds. So, is…
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Losing glasses in nursing facility
Thanking you all for your suggestions. I feel it is going to be a neverending battle. I thought of getting a strap to hold them on but don't know if that is a good idea. Compared to what everyone else is going through, this is nothing.
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Losing glasses in nursing facility
My DH has been in a nursing facility for 3 weeks and he has broken and lost a pair of glasses. Unfortunately I didn't put his name on the second pair, so don't think there is a chance they will return. Any ideas besides putting his name on them. It is going to be an expensive if he keeps losing them.
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Why caregivers go nuts
While waiting for his doctor’s appointment DH took a pamphlet off a table and read it intensely for 10 minutes. He then handed it to me to see if I would like to read it. I glanced at it and said it was interesting. It was written completely in Spanish. We don’t know Spanish. Hmmmm Last week DH lost his house keys. We…