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Necessity of a diagnosis
When we went to the neurologist and they did a 20 minute test on him and said that he’s in the normal range. That upsets me when we feel like we gained nothing and yet I know what’s going on at home. And then I think what’s the purpose of getting a diagnosis when all they’re gonna do is throw meds at him that aren’t very…
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Signs of changes...subtle or not??
Hello. My DH recently scored a 22/30 on MOCA. I don't see much change in that from months ago. I am seeing subtle things that are different and was wondering if anyone has any wisdom to share on what they may mean as far as progression. He is in the process of filing for FMLA/DI due to cognitive decline and the anxiety at…
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Forgot his age
A week ago DH knew he is 83. Today he thinks he is 60. He asked me how old I am. We happen to be the same age. He said he can’t believe he is 83. I told him it is ok he can be any age he wants to be and then asked him what age he would like to be. He responded age 3 because I wet my pants and other people can take care of…
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DH keeps coming out of his room naked!
My DH is in memory care, and at night especially, he comes out of his room naked. The staff will take him back to his room and put clothes on him, but he will do it again a short time later. I have noticed he is more anxious and agitated lately, but he has a heart condition that makes him unable to take the normal drugs…
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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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First post
My DH always wants to “go home”. When I ask where, of course he says his childhood home. It is so exhausting to try to distract him from that thought. He goes to bed saying it and wakes up saying it. He begs and pleads with me to take him there. Constantly, p l e a s e! I can’t take him anywhere without arranging for…
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I did what I said I wouldn’t
After 60 years of marriage and in year 15 of caregiving I always have said I would never wipe my DH’s royal hiney. That never day came with you know what on the bathroom floors, toilet seat, etc. and on his royal hiney. After cleaning it up -including the royal hiney-I believe I deserve a super duper big gold star on my…
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Anyone experience a bone spur
My DH had an open sore between his toe. It healed but on his follow-up appt, his podiatrist took x-rays and saw two bone spurs. He suggested surgery to remove them, but he also said with the Alzheimer’s to deal with, we may want to do nothing. However, if the sore comes back, he’ll have 2 problems to deal with - an open…
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Alz/ Dementia diagnoses 12 years
I'm new to this discussion, but I'm thankful that I can connect to individuals that understand my situation. My husband was diagnosed with Dementia 12 years ago. Until May 2024, he was able to stay home while I continued to work. He is now in a facility with other patients. It's like a big family. I'm at peace knowing that…
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What Have I Done?!?
DH suddenly started having severe leg and knee pain yesterday. Of course, I couldn’t get an appointment with any kind of doctor for almost two weeks. He was able to get to the car, so I drove him to the ER. They ran a bunch of tests, gave him morphine, couldn’t find anything wrong and sent him home. Within 5 minutes of…
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Home care
DH diagnosed with vascular dementia 5 years ago is “progressing” in this horrible disease. He has difficulty walking due to major back issues short term memory deteriorating only leaves the house with me. I am looking into home care from some agencies nearby for companionship maybe 6 hrs a week and give me some time. What…
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New to CPAP
My DH was diagnosed with MCI, although I believe that he is a bit further along since he does showtime for doctors and nurses. Sleep studies determined that he has sleep apnea and his neurologist feels that it may be causing, or at least contributing to, his cognitive decline. So…he has a new mask and it's a challenge to…
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Sometimes I just want to hide
Hi all, been browsing thru these discussions. It nice to know I'm not alone. I'm 66 yrs old and my DW with Alts. is 68. I have allot of mental anguish for my loved one. 44 yrs of married life 2yrs of serious dementia issues. I have troubles with her sometimes telling me she doesn't know who I am-and wants me to get out of…
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Ups and downs toward the end
My DW has been in MC for almost a year now. She is stage 7 and every few days she is almost unresponsive and I've thought "this is it" but she bounces back. A few days ago when I was at the MC, I'm there twice daily to check on her, hold her hand, etc, the staff had laid her down in bed for an afternoon nap but she was…
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Recommendations for Group Disability Attorney
Any recommendations for a Florida attorney (focused on LTD and you've had success) to assist with the transition from active work status to FMLA/Short term/Long term disability (group benefits)?
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Work at neighbor’s - worried about DH’s reaction
One more thing to worry about…we have a section of chain link fence between us and our neighbor (fence is slightly on our property). It’s covered with a beautiful passion flower vine, which they planted so it’s rooted on their side. Now they plan on extending their vinyl fence inside the chain link which means pulling out…
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Financial crisis in the making part 2
I had posted here a couple of weeks ago. You are all so wonderful to have given me advice, which I am following through on as well as I am able. My dh is not able to make sensible decisions about money and his healthcare. He needs to see his neurologist and his primary care doctor. He has an appointment for the neurologist…
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New guy
My first post here: my wife’s diagnosis is not confirmed, but the progression is not good. We’re both 77, still in our own home and on our own. Kids are sympathetic and eager to help, but they live at a distance and have their own lives anyway. My wife was a great teacher, and she has many colleagues and former students…
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Leqembi Concerns
I have read the posts on "The Problem with Leqembi" and recognize that it's no silver bullet. However, my DH with ES read in the newspaper about its FDA approval and wants to try it. He asked me to make an appointment with his neurologist next week. Background: DH is 84 this month. He was first evaluated in 2018 and…
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Showboating?
Does anyone know how LO’s are capable of showboating? If they can behave differently with others, why do they challenge their caregivers in unreasonable and even harsh ways? If the brain is “broken” how do they seem to temporarily “fix” it in front of others?
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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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The dementia routine
I know all of our journeys are different but many are scarily similar. My husband has no initiative and does the same pattern everyday. His day is focused on eating and going to the bathroom. Other than those things, (which seem to occupy a great deal of time everyday), he would just sit in his recliner in front of the TV.…
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Getting very difficult
Hello, my first post. My husband has moderate Alzheimer's. Officially diagnosed last year but it's been going on since about 2017. He has no short-term memory at this point. He had emergency triple bypass in 2021, and it progressed a lot since then. Goes to Adult Day Care three days a week and he's in his third year. He…
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Marijuana for aggression?
Has any caregivers had doctor prescribe marijuana for LO with agressive behavior? If so, did it help?
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Hypersexuality
My husband talks about sex constantly, uses language he never used before, and is grabby like a teenager ( he's 72). I am not dealing well with this, I see him differently now that I am his caretaker and he is incontinent and hates to shower. I usually change the subject but it's making him upset.
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How do you respond to family inquiries?
My DW is was diagnosed with EO several years back. She is 60yo and deep into stage 5. She has a very supportive and loving family (parent and siblings) that are several states away. They are good people and I am fortunate to have such pleasant in laws. They reach out to us periodically to ask "how are things going?" In the…
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Getting desperate
Hi all. I care for my partner who has dementia and has only just recently been diagnosed even though it has been obvious for two years. He has no idea of the day/date/year nor even the season. He goes to daycare three days a week, thank God, but it's costing us a fortune. My main problem is he's so nasty now, and a…
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DH has the flu
My husband is stage 6. Started coughing, fever- I took him to the urgent care today, yes he has the flu. It seems his dementia has gotten so much worse when he started showing flu symptoms. I’ve heard that can happen. He has had 2 bowel accidents today, very unstable on his feet, talking to himself. The dr said the…
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New territory and things are changing
Facing facts here. Thought I was dealing with things the best I could as they continue to evolve. DH fell about a month ago when he got up at night to pee. Luckily he wasn't injured too much, just a cut on his hand that bled a lot. A few days ago he stubbed his right little toe, again when he got up in the night. He said…
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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…