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weight loss since starting aricept
DH was prescribed Aricept in November after results of memory tests had shown declines. Since then he has lost close to 10 pounds, but his appetite has not waned. He has not experienced any nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. He eats 3 good meals a day and has several snacks such as bananas with yogurt, honey and walnuts; graham…
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Some good info?
I haven't really looked at much here, but it looks like it might have a lot of good info, including on dealing with…
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Tip for Dry Direct incontinence undies
Just a heads-up. We've been using Dry Direct for a while, but all of a sudden they weren't working as well as before. In fact they were not working well at all. So I was going to try other options, and went to parentgiving.com to order a couple of samples. But for some reason it wouldn't allow me to put them in my cart. So…
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Maybe I have finally figured this disease out
I have been trying to figure out Alzheimer's disease for nearly twenty years. It comes down to this very simple observation: "The inflammatory mediator peroxynitrite, when generated in excess, may damage cells by oxidizing and nitrating cellular components. Defense against this reactive species may be at the level of…
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Swallowing problems?
For about the last week or so, often when my wife is eating a meal, she will begin choking as if she has food stuck in her throat. I'm not sure if this is the start of swallowing problems or not. Is this how they typically start? Is it time for a swallowing test? If so, how is that done, and is it traumatic for the PWD?…
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Awful baby rash
Hi there, My DH is wearing depends all of the time now. I try to keep him dry and clean, but he has developed a terrible rash and some bleeding. I’ve contacted the doctor and they told me about desitin and other medicines. Does anyone have suggestions how to get this problem resolved since either in the morning, his…
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supplements
Hi all, I don't know if this is an OK subject, if not, I guess it would be pulled? Anyway, I wanted to know what kind of supplements people who use them have their loved one on. I work with a Holistic doc so I don't just do "anything" that seems OK, but I also did learn some interesting things in a FB group a while ago,…
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Notes from the Hershey highway
When I chronicled my husband’s travels on the Hershey Highway, one of you suggested the use of Vick’s Vapo Rub under my nose. Worked like a charm. He loved me cleaning him up, I wasn’t gagging and he laughed out loud. The Rispiridone has made him gentler and he laughs more. My back went out the other day and he offered to…
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Do not buy in to blackmail
Today was a reminder of something that comes up quite a bit. It was a nice day outside, and after I got my gal fed, bathroom break, snacks, water, etc., I told her I was going to do some farm work in the yard. The immediate response, was: "Well, I'm not staying here. I don't live here. I'm going home". This used to work on…
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Hallucinations/Delusions (2)
Well, here goes. My first post. Reading your posts has really helped me, but I am still stuck with a problem that seems to cover several different topics. My DW of 65 years struggles with delusions. I usually can use diversions to refocus, but more and more she see me as part of the problem. Says she can't trust or believe…
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Placement going better than I could have imagined
I placed my wife Fern in memory care 10 days ago and during the first three phone calls she sounded at least content if not happy. There have been no complaints, and no awkward questions about how long she will have to stay there. I just had phone call #4 with Fern and she sounded more cheerful than ever!! It was so…
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Congratulating ourselves
Last night was horrific for my DW. She had diarrhea and managed to spread it on herself and bed. The Depends held 95% which is a miracle of modern science, as they used to say. The congratulations are to myself for helping her in the most respectful way possible. I stripped her bed and put everything in the washer. Then, I…
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Starting Again
Isn’t that what we caregivers do? Start over again and again and again. Last week DH told our neighbors how he enjoyed going to the Day Program where he believes he is a volunteer. Due to Covid it has been shut down since December. But tomorrow it is starting up again. Whoopee! I told DH the great news. DH responded with…
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exhausted/depressed to the point of almost non functional
Hi all, I just shake my head on how life has played out. I am not well myself, and caring for my husband who is in bed and somewhat incontinent. Doesn't know how to shower, wash hands after bathroom stuff, etc. I have to direct for everything or do it.. and we know it's going to get worse. Then I have pets... one of which…
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MIL and food obsession
My MIL has a food obsession. My wife, son, and I live with her. My son stays with her every day as my wife and I work and MIL cannot be left alone. We have put up baby gates and locks on the cabinets and fridge because MIL has parkinsons and has issues with falling. The locks were put on the fridge because we would find…
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Just need to talk to my friends (164)
Hi, I've been having a hard time getting onto the thread - maybe because it's so long so I'll start 164. Good for you Iris for speaking up. Sometimes that's all it takes. Maybe the manager wasn't aware of the problem. Just think - you could have saved no telling how many people from falling in the bathtub and being…
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My Wife is Back Home After 4 Months in AL while I Recover from Surgery; Constipation
I had a Laminectomy at 5 levels of lower spine; surgery went great and cured my nerve pain in my legs but the site got infected. I was on a wound vac for 2 months. While all of this was going on I placed my Wife in Respite Care at a very good facility about 30 minutes from home. My Wife came home Monday (1/31/22) after 4…
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Just feeling alone
My son called me yesterday in a depressive crisis of sorts-trying to do grad school during Covid has been tough. He’s a long way away and there’s so little I can do over the phone. But caregiving here also keeps me from being able to help him much other than talk, and not having my partner to share it with makes it doubly…
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Impact of Surgery?
My DH had back surgery last May and was under anesthesia for 5+ hours - had memory issues related to his Dementia before that but since then, he's so much worse. I had no idea. After surgery when he came home, he was hallucinating, seeing things/people, reaching into the air, etc., and was very difficult to manage. Kids…
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History hangs over Queen Elizabeth as she marks 70 years on throne
That poor woman must have really had to go!
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Respite help
I need to get away from you DW for an hour or two. Where do I find help? Richieweeds80
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Long covid and Alzheimers
It's a pretty heavy slog but interesting Small Study Finds Alzheimer's-like Changes in Some COVID Patients' Brains News February 3, 2022 A study from researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons reports that the brains of a small sample of patients who died of COVID display some of the same…
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Memantine
Went to SaveOn to fill memantine for my husband. Using his prescription insurance three months was $120. I paid it then went home and looked up GoodRx. Three months was $21. Went back to the pharmacy with the Good Rx coupon and they refunded me $91. Donepezil will have a similar savings. I will definitely take in coupons…
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The importance of acting
This is mostly for people new to the game. It is really important to put on a good face for your LOs because they will pick up any little signs of anger or negativity in your body language. If they do, your job becomes much harder. So if they're giving you a hard time, do your best to make jokes or otherwise lighten the…
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He speaks to the mirror
I know I' ve seen a post on this recently, but I can't find it. Today the caregiver sent me a video of my partner talking to the mirror and showing to his image the photo album I made for her, introducing family members. Since a few days, he has a lot of changes in his behavior. He is very angry and has aggressive…
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Rispiridone and the blues
My husband’s doctor prescribed rispiridone to control his wandering. It has helped somewhat, he is less combative and aggressive. However, he really is confused about night and day. He goes to bed around 4:30 pm and stays asleep until about 8 pm. He comes down and turns up the heat to 85 degrees. I am gasping from the heat…
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Hallucinations/Delusions
I have been reading posts a lot in the past year or so, but haven't posted much. I'm afraid I am going to be posting questions more often. My DH was diagnosed with MCI in 2014, then unspecified dementia in 2018, and Alz in April of 2021, he turned 66 in December. He seems to be declining quickly. Two days ago he called me…
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Risperidone vs Jekyll and Hyde.
I was at the end of my rope and called my husband’s primary physician for help. My husband has taken to waking me up at 7:45 am saying it is time to get up. The problem is that I am a night owl and treasure my peace at night, so not willing to forgo that time. The doctor put him on .25 risperidone twice a day. When it…
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Court RCourt rules Medicare Beneficiaries Can Appeal Switch to Hospital Observation Status
This could save you some big bucks if they go to a nursing home. https://www.elderlawanswers.com/court-rules-medicare-beneficiaries-can-appeal-switch-to-hospital-observation-status-18678?
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Outsiders
The Well Wishers are at it again. They want to help me. I need to ‘work’. We should ‘get help’. she will ‘be fine’. They don’t see that it all means nothing anymore. Not any of it. She is right here beside me now. She is warm and safe and sleeping. The day has ended, the meals eaten, the messes wiped away. Today's smiles…