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HWD, 56 yrs old, having extended lucid period!
I haven't posted here in awhile. I thought my HWD was at a stable stage, early stage 6, and things would gradually progress - wrong! He was admitted to hospital (in Canada) in Sept as he was having agressive episodes and I no longer felt safe with him at home. He was admitted to the mental health ward and they worked on…
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Some basic caregiver 101 stuff
I would like to share a few things I have learned that were not obvious. First is wet wipes, or flushable wipes. This seemed like a real good idea when I read about it here, certainly more convenient than cotton towels that need washing. My gal complained that she hated them, and got really upset about their use. She…
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Selecting assisted living and geriatric care manager in MD
Hi folks! I am so glad that I have found this great resource. I am a remote caregiver for my significant other, age 68yo, who is living in Maryland, while I was working and living in PA. He has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in Dec 2021. Because of our living situation, I am looking for geriatric care manager and…
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Anybody dealt with a fireplace safety issue?
We have two fireplaces with gas logs in the house, one in the living room that is only two years old and another in my partners bedroom that was installed when the house was built 15 years ago. She loves it, she is always cold and until now its been useful for keeping her room warm without jacking up the temp in the rest…
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brushing teeth(2)
Does anyone have a tip for brushing teeth when our loved one rejects the brush or bites it? I am trying to be consistent, but my DW is rejecting a "foreign" object in her mouth. She understands the concept, but the "object" is distressing to her. We rinse as a last resort. My neighbor is a dentist, but have not run in to…
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retiring from caretaking
My therapist tried a new tack with me a few months ago. She said I had retirement anxiety based on being a retired caretaker. Caretaking was an all consuming "job". even the first few years after placement I was confident she "needed me". Eventually that was simply not the case. Its and interesting shift in how to look a…
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About hospice
I received this email this morning, and th0ught it might be an introduction for some of you. Careblazers <natali@careblazers.com> To:Ed Tue, Feb 15 at 11:32 AM If you are caring for someone with dementia, then it's a good idea to learn about hospice care. I want you to know about hospice care and how helpful they can be…
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Thx for the heads-up, night time delusions
We’re it not for those who share on this forum, I would have been blindsided by my HWD’s nocturnal wanderings and shenanigans of late. Over the past week he has been up 5 of 7 nights. Last night I was blown over by the screaming “get out of MY house” while he loomed over. I almost called 911. I am now fully aware of what…
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First try with the bidet
DW had a messy accident in her pants. I got her to sit on the toilet, and told her she had to get in the shower, but we'd use the bidet first to make it easier in the shower. When it came on she immediately stood up, with the nasty water running down her legs onto the floor. She didn't want to get back on the toilet, but I…
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A new, fun way to engage
Our daughter got my husband a karaoke microphone for Christmas. It is by Bonaok (available on Amazon). I connect it with Amazon Music, switch on the “view lyrics.” My HWD enjoys reading along and singing (as best he can). He really gets into it! It is so cute to see him enjoy himself and we sometimes do duets. He never had…
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Headaches(3)
I have the worst headache. I find myself gritting my teeth all day. Somedays the stress just gets me, this happens a couple times a month When I have to leave my dw for a hour I rush around trying to get things done, hoping when get home it's not gonna be chaos. Went to a memory care today to visit a eldery friend, while…
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Poem for Valentine's day
Valentine's Dawn 2022 The pretty girl sits in her chair With bright blue eyes and soft brown hair She was my friend, lover and wife She built with me a golden life Now she sits, her thoughts are gone I think of her at every dawn I think of poems I wrote for her While she was sleeping I would stir And think of love and life…
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Another close call
Early this morning I was holding her hand when she got out of bed. I must have been off balance because she fell, and I went with her. I hit my head on the night stand, and I think she did too. We're both fine, but I think I have a sprained little finger. Not complaining. I'll take it. We're gonna have to quit this. One…
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Seizure that came with a gift
My husband had a seizure Tuesday morning. It was the scariest thing I’ve been through on this journey . It started with him yelling and screaming. Then his limbs began posturing . Finally he went completely rigid and his head tilted back and his breaths came in puffs. He bit his tongue and it began to bleed. When it was…
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I'm angry
Always. It's been this way for years, ever since we first started looking at the why for DH's memory problems. I think that's been 11 years now. I'm angry with medical professionals who refuse to recognize dementia in younger patients. I'm angry with medical professionals who pass us around, because DH is YOUNG and it's a…
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Eating Dog Treats
OK, I put away medications (have them hidden in the garage), sharp objects, cleaning supplies, etc., but I never thought to hide the dog treats. Yesterday I went outside to get the mail and came back in to find my DH and both German shepherds eating Pupperoni sticks. DH told me the tan dog told him they were great. It was…
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I finally got something done
It's been months since I've done anything that didn't really have to be done. I painted the walls in the bathroom. It's a rather small bathroom, but that filled my day with everything else we all have to do. And I went to the big box store to get the items needed to run a new outlet, which had to be done "on the wall"…
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HELP, special incontinence issue Need advice.
My beloved wife suffers primarily from urinary incontinence. Although she in in long term care they are having the same problem I often faced at home. Tab closure briefs are great for a "quick change" without the struggle of having to undress and redress completely, but to get the leg openings tight enough to prevent leaks…
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Aricept and a Runny Nose
My DH has been on the generic form of Aricept since 11/2020. It wasn’t until I saw Gig Harbor’s post in another thread that I realized it was probably causing his runny nose. He has always had some trouble with allergies that cleared up with Zyrtec. Then the Zyrtec seemed to stop working. Now I realize that it’s probably…
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Don't say you're going to help then don't
I'm so fed up I don't know where to begin. DH had a second seizure, so he's off the medicine that probably caused the seizure, but was also taking care of his delusions and horrible behavior. Psychiatrist said, "Stop meds. Call me in a week." But no replacement med. Behavior is worse today with crying and asking for his…
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AD Clinical Evaluation
My wife exhibited memory loss and cognitive impairment about 3 years ago. Her PCP noticed it and did a brain scan and other tests to rule out common causes. There were none. He told me he thought she had AD and did not recommend further testing. I asked for a referral to a neurologist who did more blood work and spent…
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The Dog Bit the Caregiver
Since June of 2021 I have had the same private health agency caregiver come to our house for 4 hours on Wednesday. This allows me to get out of the house, grocery shop, and decompress. The caregiver and Hap (the dog) have always gotten along well. While the caregiver is here, they often play ball or fetch. While I was away…
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Bad Dreams
My mom passed away over 20 years ago after complications from heart surgery at the age of 68. It was a horrible blow to me as she was the sweetest, most kind and compassionate woman I felt in the world. Her death came only 10 months after my dad died at the age of 67 from cancer. What has been a blessing during these past…
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Need a (innocent) female friend
My wife of 20 years who I love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago. I love her Sex doesn’t exist really And Alzheimer’s is stealing her away slowly. Ki need to talk to a female that gets it. Innocent. Just thru internet to talk and sort things out before it gets really bad Where do I go? What do I do?
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COVID.......Bummer
So, our younger son, typical middle child (only one with braces, stitches, broken bones, missed National Honor Society by one person, only luck is bad luck, etc., etc.....) is enroute home from TX to PA for a quick visit with his Dad in MC. I just had a call that a caregiver in DH's cottage tested positive for COVID, so…
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DH has lost 16 pounds since starting hospice 24 days ago
A year ago, DH weighed 198 pounds. DH now weighs 168 pounds. DH started hospice on 1/17/2022. DH has less of an appetite than he used to. He is much less active. He spends most of the day in a recliner. He only walks about 10 steps (or less) each day. When he was admitted to hospice, several of his meds were discontinued,…
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Advice on installing lock on front door
My DH has mid-stage VD and is at the stage when I need to install a lock on the front door. I could use advice on what to expect in his reaction to this and how to handle that. He has become obsessed with checking the mailbox multiple times during the day and sometimes in the middle of the night. Thanks for any help you…
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Age Discrimination by doctors
My father is 97 years old and has middle stage dementia. This evening he was taken to hospital emergency room and treated for a inguinal hernia which he had never had before. The doctor performed a procedure to return the protrusion to its proper place. Only meds given were a saline IV. Along with this all sorts of blood…
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The hardest part is the emotion
My husband was diagnosed with MCI in 2017 and has been very functional with daily activities, although some days are better than others. Last night he wanted to know about long distance phone calls. He doesn't remember that we can now make calls within the U.S. as part of our cell plan. When I explained that to him he was…
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Got a wonderful gift this morning
Yesterday one of Fern's lady friends visited her at the MC facility and reported she was cheerful and talkative. Then this morning I checked the facility's Facebook page and find this wonderful photo of Fern being helped by a fellow resident. Brought tears of joy to my eyes. Right now I am baking fresh muffins to share…