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Sudden mental changes
My spouse (70) was recently retested using the MMSE test, her score went from 19 a year ago to 11. Over the past 6 weeks we have experienced significant shifts in personality and overall happiness. Before very generous, she has become very me/mine focused. She does recognize that we are married (48 years), last night…
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A good day!
I wanted to post something positive for a change. 🙂 Today was one of those days with my DH where I say to myself “I can take care of him, no problem”. He was a little bit confused and quiet when he first got up, but was in a good mood all day, no outbursts of anger, only a quick little mention of going “home”, easy to…
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Don’t know how to start, Long Rant Warning!! ⚠️
Okay, I guess I’ve officially “lost it”! I shouldn’t have, but I did. I flew off the handle and screamed and yelled at DW(stage 5/6) this afternoon. I stormed around the house, upset the dogs, and ended with us each going to our separate “corners”. I was an ass, it was bad! The ridiculous last straw was DW trying to feed…
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Home to his parents in the evening
For about a week, DH has been adamant about going hime to his parents or calling his father, etc. Usually it starts around 4:00 so I’m assuming he’s starting to sundown. It’s so hard coming up with fiblets that will satisfy him. I’ve tried so many of the ideas I’ve seen on this forum. Sometimes we drive around, going…
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THE DAY SHE COULDN’T DRAW A CLOCK
I read this today and it touched me greatly. THE DAY SHE COULDN'T DRAW A CLOCK “From the memoir-in-progress by Michael J. Whelan The technician handed Rebecca a piece of paper and gave her what should have been a simple task. “Draw a clock,” he said gently. “Put the numbers where they belong, just like a regular clock…
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Pisa syndrome (Pleurothotonus)
Hi friends. I haven't been on the site for a while, nor have I kept up with dementia related things. It is just over three years since I entered stage 8. So please take whatever I say with a grain of salt, and do your own research if needed. But I just wanted to pass this on in case it had not been discussed here. For…
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Long post. Beautifully written. 💜
From Michael J Whelan who is fighting cancer and his wife has Parkinson’s. “I'M SO TIRED! There’s a moment in this journey when denial dies quietly in the corner, and hope, the stubborn candle, flickers but does not go out. It is here when the neurologist stops suggesting, and starts testing. Not reflexes or memory games…
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CELA question for those who have consulted
I am going to make an appt with a CELA soon eventhough we had our trust redone 6 months ago. I need to know answers about shielding assets in the event a MCF is needed in the future. I dont know if this is possible or if Medi-Cal is an option or if it even helps pay for sine MC costs. My question for all of you is: should…
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Alcohol
My 81 year old Husband has mid stage Alzheimer’s. He is still driving and basically independent. Unfortunately he’s forgotten how Alcohol (spirits) affects him. To avoid him hiding liquor I let him keep in in the pantry. Unfortunately it makes him feel better/brighter but I’ve come home 3 times last week and he’s drunk. We…
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Walks hunched over
DH walks hunched over and walks very slowly. He's basically looking down all the time. He walks with his head/neck bent downward but he also sits that way all the time. When I ask him to lift his head up when I shave him, he will lift it just a little but then drops it back downward. Best I can tell is he's in stage 6, is…
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Motor Skills help
DH is late stage 6/early 7. We have been told that the next milestones for him will be mobility issues and then eating issues. He seems to be unable to do things like lift his foot on command. He will go up and down stairs (slowly) but when I ask him to lift his foot to get his pajamas on he seems to be unable to do so. I…
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New Here – Caring for My Husband and Our Young Family
Hi everyone, I’m new to the community and just wanted to introduce myself. I’m 45, and I’ve been caring for my 51-year-old husband who has dementia caused by Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS). We’ve been together for years, and it’s heartbreaking to see how much this disease has taken from him—and from us. He…
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New to the group
Hi everyone, I am so relieved to have found this group. Mh (67) was diagnosed in January. Early stage of dementia. He is also a type 1 diabetic. I’m trying my best to cope and get through each day. It is hard to say the least. I say to myself, let’s have a good day! Some days are better than others. I have ordered the 36…
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Taking Away Driving Privileges
My DH (57) was diagnosed a little over a year ago with EOAD. He’s not quite in stage 4 yet, and still drives only to places in a 5 mile radius of home. And only to places that he goes regularly like the grocery store and they gym. I know that eventually he will have to stop driving but I dread that because he feels that’s…
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Holidays are the worst
As a caregiver for my DH who has mixed dementia and is in a mid to late stage of the disease I dread holidays. On July 4th people will be going places and doing things. I will be home but not quite home alone. DH does sleep much and is in a constant state of rage to the point where it is best if I don't talk to him at all.…
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Bowel incontinence
My DH is still in the mild stage. I can leave him home alone for a few hours. He walks the dog without getting lost. But, he has urinary incontinence at night. Lately he has developed bowel incontinence. I’m not sure what to do about the bowel incontinence. Any ideas?
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Medications for mood
DH is in stage 5 EOAD. He takes 100 mg of Zoloft for depression and anxiety. It mostly helps but he continues to walk around the house saying he is lonely and nobody wants to be with him. I am always there except when I work. I have caregivers in the house so when he says he lonely I remind him I am right here. I actually…
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Numb to other causes of sadness now?
I’ve been grieving and sad since my husband’s diagnosis last month. This week, my mother unexpectedly passed. I cried the day she died. But then I haven’t been crying about that. I wonder if I’m emotionally numb from so much trauma or if someone unexpectedly passing is easier (for lack of a better term) than being with…
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Am I going to die?
Recently my DH (56 yo EOA & FTD) has been asking me if he is going to die from this? He’s progressing and he’s scared and noticing the problems he’s having. How do I answer this? I don’t want to scare him or get him upset. I try to answer as vague as I can without getting upset every time he asks.
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New member caregiver needing a support group
I would like to connect with other spouses whose loved one is in assisted living. I've tried Alz.support groups with all caregivers, but having DH in a facility (just starting year 6) creates some different feelings than when he was home.
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Peapod Mats
Until the last month or so I didn’t understand why I’d have to worry about the furniture or mattress. My husband wears the really good incontinence briefs from Parentgiving. But lately he seems to have forgotten what the toilet is for, and has multiple accidents a day. The briefs can only hold so much. I try to change him…
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Learning stage 8
I spent so much time on this site while caring for my DH, and you all helped me so much more than you may know. I feel like I'm still in the 'middle ground' between caring for him and living without him. One thing that I didn't really expect is that grieving changed when he passed. I had been grieving the incremental…
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Sexual Behavior in Husbands
Super sexed DH II feel like I am the only 75+ caregivers whose husband is constantly wanting to make love or touch, lay with, hug or kiss me. Do others deal with this and shadowing? Does anyone have help or suggestions? I'm over loved😗
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Stage 6 - How Much Medical Care is Appropriate?
My DH is in stage 6 in memory care. He has afib and CHF which is managed with meds. He has a cardiologist appointment the end of July for a check-up. It has become extremely challenging trying to take him for appointments because he is so confused. I am questioning why I should even take him. He is a DNR and I have already…
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Partner’s Legs Won’t Respond — Is This Common in Later Stages?
My partner is in a later stage of Alzheimer’s, and over the past few weeks, their ability to move has drastically declined. They used to be able to stand with some help, but now it’s like the brain isn’t sending the message to the legs anymore. No injury, just a complete lack of response. This has made daily care really…
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Talking gibberish
My DH is Stage 6 b/c. Physically fit. But he is mostly incoherent, attempting to tell me something or ask me something. I used to be able to figure out what he meant, but very recently I truly have no idea what he is saying. He gets very frustrated with me. Impossible to redirect. We came back from taking our dogs to the…
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Trapped
Well we are at that stage where I’m feeling really trapped! DH has been obsessing about his car on a daily basis.(previous post about that) . I just nod and walk away as he follows me yelling he wants his car. He just finished with home PT and an aide 3 days a week for 3 weeks. He of course was so nice to them. Did…
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Help with getting a diagnosis
My DH has many AD symptoms. I've called his Drs office and notes were made to give to his med team. He refuses to let me accompany him for checkups. His false accusations, hallucinations and "hearing" things are really affecting my health. What more can I do, I'm at the point of leaving.
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What small joy did you experience yesterday?
I’m new to the group, and this is my second post. I’ve read many of the past discussions, and one of the messages stood out to me: Take each day as it comes and recognize small joys. Yesterday, I caught myself smiling. We have a goldfish pond, and I briefly caught a glimpse of a goldfish baby dart from under a rock to…
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Feeling overwhelmed and tired of dealing with this disease
I am so tired of the uncertainty. Whenever I think I can handle the behavior, I quickly fall back into a slump. I want a normal life, NOT this new normal. His hallucinations are off the chain. He gets angry constantly, accusing someone of stealing something or that someone was here. He sees people almost every day. I can't…