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DH dashing through stage 6 benchmarks
DH, early stage six AD, has been home from memory care for about 2-1/2 months after a year-long stay. It's generally been going well until the last two or three weeks. He's started sundowning again after a long break, very agitated, 'hyper-oral' per Tam Cummings, hallucinating other people in the house/yard, starting fecal…
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Expected but still hurts
AD has its moments. The first time it tore a hole in my heart was when I realized my husband had no memory of how we met or our wedding. Today, another big hurt came. We sat down to dinner and my husband looked me in a confused fusion. “Where is my wife? ” he asked. So hard sometimes.
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Bad Doctor Experiences?
I’m sure, given our ages (my LO is 37, turning 38 in July), I probably have more than my fair share of these kinds of stories—and they are awful. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone. That said… misery sure does love company. We finally got in to see a neurologist—an appointment that was originally scheduled for January but I…
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DW Waking up 3 AM
First time on this Forum. Some background my wife was diagnosed with EO Alzheimer when she was 58. Now 6 years later she has lost her ability to communicate, self care, and starting to have trouble walking. I am her sole caregiver (married 38 yr) and basically have to do everything like feeding, bathing, dressing.and…
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New and need advice
My husband is 55. I am 56. He was a middle school Math teacher and then elementary school principal. I am a former high school History teacher. Before teaching, he served in the Navy and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury as well as exposure to chemicals that brought on a rare form of Dercum's Disease (an auto-immune…
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Hates the caregiver
Hello, DH is 72 with vascular dementia (most likely). I work full time and don't want to retire. I have a companion with him all day while I am gone. This is 4 days per week with his brother and sister taking a day. He is very confused and thinks his brother is really a dead friend masquerading as his brother. He…
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Behavior changes
my 63 yo husband was diagnosed appx 1 year ago with early onset Alzheimer’s. Question…when I notice a change in his behavior should I point it out to him (when he acts in a different of aggressive way)? Also he has picked up a new habit…humming! Is that “normal”?
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FREE legal and financial tool
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DH with dementia keeps saying he is scared.....
My DH with dementia - I think late stage 5 or early stage 6, keeps telling me that he is scared. He will actually be shaking with fear sometimes, but he can't tell me what he is afraid of. I reassure him that I am gong to take care of him, but he is still frightened. It happens sometimes when we are walking down a hall and…
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What stage for MC?
I’d like some insight as to what stage your LO was in when they were moved to MC. Is it usually when they’re in Stage 6 or 7? I feel like it’s too early for me to think about (except for a plan B) but sometimes I wonder if he’d be happier there then just here with me. He’s not wandering and he’s not violent (although he…
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Day 10 of Memory Care
Hi everybody, I haven’t been on for a bit. I’m still struggling to adjust to DH in Memory Care, and it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Memory care hasn't been horrible, but there are definitely good care aides, and not so good care aides. I’m very glad I decided to go at different times of the day and just pop in…
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Introduction
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Why isn't the cavalry coming?
Warning: Rant coming When my dear sister had cancer she was seen immediately by an oncologist. The social worker introduced himself and explained to us both about the support available to her. Whenever she or I expressed an interest in any of their programs or had a question someone called us within a day or two to see…
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Do I s*ck at caregiving?
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Palliative Care
The geriatrician my DH sees has ordered palliative care and we've seen first a registered nurse and then a nurse practitioner. I wondered if anyone has experience with pallilative care and if it's helped. What are the benefits of palliative care. I was told they would be able to transition him to hospice if/when the time…
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Can anyone answer my question
My DH is in the late stages of AD and wets himself and his bed. I dont understand how someone who wont drink much fluid (less than 12oz a day) can wet through a pull up with a diaper over the top of it and the bed pads...its all soaked in the morning as if he drank a gallon of water. Can anyone explain this to me?
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Jury Duty
DH voted in the last election. The ballot was long, and he only voted for a few that he knew, but he voted. Our jury summons are pulled from the voting lists. Today’s mail had a notice for DH that his name was pulled for Grand Jury duty. No way can DH be on a jury. His short term memory is almost nil. There was a link…
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Managing Incontinence
I’m new here. My DH was diagnosed about 2 years ago with FTD and possible ALZ. We are now dealing with incontinence. I am ok with pull-ups but he has a bad habit of missing the toilet and peeing on the bathroom marble floor. I try to get him to go to the bathroom on a schedule but he just won’t cooperate. I’m not sure he…
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Visiting a stage 7 patient
DW has not had the slightest cognitive reaction for 3-4 years. She can still swallow but reacts to nothing else. She has excellent care. So why do I visit? It is no practical use to her and emotionally very trying for me. But I do.
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I Feel so Awful….
my DH is cognitively stage 6. He layers clothes, confuses hand cream for tooth paste, hasn’t known me for a long time, (though he likes me). When he is having a good day and 4 hour respite, it’s easy but he has to stay continuously busy which is hard. He loves the out doors, hasn’t wondered but daily gets cuts from picking…
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Combative and Unreachable
I'm reaching out to the most knowledgeable group of individuals who never wanted to be here, hoping someone may have some insight and guidance as I have reached my wall. My DH, love of my life, married 56 years, has been in memory care since last July - he has mixed Dementia - alzheimers and vascular. Diagnosed 15 yrs ago…
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Anger issues
when my DW’s memory lapses, I expect her disorientation. What surprises me is the anger that accompanies it. It’s like she is two different people. All I can do is be patient, but it is very stressful. The
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Caretaker of Mom with new Dx of Alzhiemer's Dementia
Hello - My mother (78) has fought me every step of the was through her Dx of dementia and now Alzheimer's. Today we saw a memory doc to discuss the possibility of the new medications for those with early onset. I was hopeful this would help my mom prolong the progression of Alzheimer's. Unfortunately she does not qualify…
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Re: Respite
Everyone tells me I need to take advantage of the respite being offered by friends - I have complied several times, however the fact that nothing is going to change with regard to caring for my spouse, especially at night. It’s only going to get more difficult and having an afternoon to do whatever for myself is like…
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Medicaid and Nursing Homes: Not Political: Just Necessary to Speak Our
I depend on this site for emotional support. It also has made me aware how lucky I am that my husband and I had good jobs and were super savers. I just finished a meeting with a money guy who went over my finances. He walked me through how I can afford good private memory care for my DH without complete exhausting the…
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Mush
My brain is turning to mush. Can anyone else relate to this? My DH not only has VD he also has APHASIA so we often live in silence. We have quite a few activities together walking, sailing, gardening etc but like everyone else it’s mostly 24/7 care, dressing, showering, food then household chores. Today we had a lovely…
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memory care leases
I started touring memory care places in case it comes to that. For those who have a PWD in memory care, do you have a lease that specifies a specific rate for a specific term? If so, how long is the lease? Are there any interesting terms to the lease that let you get out of the lease? Month to month for memory care sounds…
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Adult daycare
I need to get DH out among people and looking into adult daycare . Very few in my area but some 20-30 min away . Thinking of taking him with me is this a good idea or should I check them out in my own first?
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Early Onset AZ Newbie
UPDATE: We are at his very first Leqembi infusion now. It only took 1.5 years to get Aetna to approve it, but it did finally happen! I’m new to this community. I am (51F) taking care of my dear husband (56M) who was diagnosed at the beginning of January of this year with mid-stage early onset Alzheimer’s dementia. There…
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Challenge behavior?
Yesterday he started the inevitable. He forgot simple things, he repeated questions. Today, he stole my phone, hid it in his closet, he's being sneaky. When I found it, he went straight to where it was hiding to look. So I know he was aware that he took it, right? Then he unplugged my computer ( knowing I have school…