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Dental care
DH has always been meticulous about self care and would never consider missing a shower. Same thing about dental care. I find that ever so gradually this is changing. Once in awhile he wants to skip a shower. It happens rarely so I haven’t yet made a big deal of it. I’m more concerned about dental care as he does have some…
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Repeated falls
My DH has now been in AL for two years, with Parkinson’s disease that has caused severe physical disability and advancing dementia. He is in a wheelchair, and needs assists with all his ADL’s. He is supposed to call for help with all transfers but he does not recognize that he is disabled, which I have learned here…
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DW scared me today
I was shocked to my core today. DW is late stage 6 or early 7 - 6 1/2 years since EO diagnosis. This morning when I got her out of bed, her facial expression said it all - she was lost and terrified. DW has been in a relative calm stage of over the last year, so this was a sudden change. And I couldn't reach her. After…
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Question about using Depends
DH as has had only a couple of accidents related to incontinence. But it really upset him. No knowing what the recurrence would be I suggested Depends or the underwear inserts. He said no way. I just ordered them and snuck them in. When he had another accident, I showed them to him. Now he loves them and wants to wear them…
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Memory
My DH has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Is it normal (usual may be a better term) for him to remember some things better than I do yet not remember other things?
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Sometimes you have to laugh
So, just when life gets you down, sometimes you have to laugh. Last night my DH started to panic. "We have to get out of here! I know what I'm talking about. We don't have security clearance. You need to go cook dinner across the street." None of this made any sense, of course, but the best line was, "Where can I find…
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excessive sleeping
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Dilemma about Memory Care
I have two questions: First, almost universally the memory care facilities I have visited say you should place your person sooner rather than later. I wonder what the evidence is for this, or whether it's easier for them to have less impaired people. What I see, almost everywhere, is people who are mostly pretty far along…
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Locked doors
We are approaching the point of keeping doors locked. During the day the front door is blocked by a sun screen. The side door is open. I am able to keep an eye on things. Not sure how to phrase this….i am wondering how peoples LO react when they find the doors locked. Especially t first. Thank you….
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TIME TO HIDE THINGS
DH thinks he is being helpful, but he's not. Today he put my computer somewhere??? and my headphones too. I was out for a couple of hours and when I came home they were missing. He managed to walk out with my computer, but my headphones are still missing. He thought I would want to put my computer away somewhere else and…
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Went looking for love
Well I did something I'm not very proud of, but I'm getting to the end of my rope. I have been so lonely and in need of companionship. DW is late stage and we are in year 7 of this journey. I'm still relatively young at 65. I decided to go onto one of those dating websites to see if I could find someone willing to spend…
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Obsessive plant watering
my DW is watering our plants 4 or 5 times a day. They are desert plants. Not only don’t they need it but it’s affecting them adversely. Any ideas how to redirect the behavior without hurting her feelings?
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Frustrated!
For the most part, DH is very easy to care for. I hate our situation and I long for what used to be a happy, content life, but I feel fortunate because I know it could be allot worse. Every once in awhile he comes up with something that throws me for a loop, though. Lately he refuses to cut his toe nails. He says they…
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Activity, shadowing, and denial...
Hi! My husband is in moderate stage dementia. We don't have children and nor do we have a large network of friends or family who are able or willing to help much. Once very social he is now shying away from people probably due to word finding challenges. I know I am early on in my caregiving journey and these problems may…
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Colonoscopy Brings Complications
I am 81 years old, but active, strong and healthy. My DH is 86 and diagnosed in 2021 with Alzheimers. He has remained gentle and sweet, very helpful and in good physical condition otherwise. Just doesn’t remember 5 minutes ago. I am his anchor and he tells me that all the time. So now I have had a colonoscopy on the…
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In home care dilemma
a few months ago my DW was having hallucinations and confused about who I was. We now have her on meds to help. There has been major improvement in the hallucinations and confusion. Her memory is not good and doesn’t even remember going to the Dr yesterday. Because of the tough times in the last few months our sons…
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Hygiene, Meds, Diet
DW diagnosed with MCI 7 years ago. Initial vehement denial, everyone out to get her into a home. Neurologist prescribed Donepezil to start. Very shortly she refused to take any med. As condition worsened, tried to add memantine with no luck. After first 2 1/2 years of her believing everyone "knew" about her diagnosis (not…
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When did you give up on doing errands with your LO?
Hello, fellow travelers. I am wondering about something I have been thinking about for a while, and it’s this: At what point in your LO’s disease progression did you stop taking him places with you? DH was diagnosed with mild dementia 6/21. Three years later, we seem to be sliding into stage 6. I have continued to take him…
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Hearing Aid Guidelines posted under Caregivers
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Perfect circle, epic fail
My husband had his welcome to Medicare visit today. When it came time for the clock test, he drew a perfect circle, then nothing. Just a blank look when we reminded him he was supposed to put the numbers on the clock. He had no idea what to do. Pretty good description of life at our house. He can complete some tasks just…
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I’m angry and resentful!
The past few weeks I have been angry! I’m angry at my husband for having a disease he didn’t ask for I’m angry at myself for losing it and being frustrated and thinking I have a handle on things and realizing I don’t! I’ve been very short tempered and sad. Both of which I’m not!Our marriage has been one where he was never…
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New diagnosis
Hello,my husband has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia.I am struggling to accept that this is all happening.I had a wonderful career as a Nurse for 47 years and had to leave.My husband doesn't have any friends and his family don't live close so I feel that everything has fallen on my shoulders and I'm…
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Brown Bottom
My BF 45yo EOA has stopped wiping his butt after #2. Which leave marks in his boxers. He says he doesn't know how it gets there. Any suggestions??? We are all in this together 💜
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Not a good day, steeling myself
My partner hasn't had a bath in a week and she is only eating if I'm there to feed her. She was very combative about a bath yesterday and wouldn't even let me help her get clean clothes on, so i left her standing half naked in her bathroom. I did tell one of the aides what a state she was in. I think I need to let both of…
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Caring for a healthy Spouse
My wife has Alzheimer's, 84 years old with a history of ALZ for 5-6 years. Her memory and cognitive skills are almost gone. She is totally dependent on me for daily living. She takes care of her personal needs. Otherwise she is very healthy. Can handle many tasks given close supervision. Even mows the lawn. She thinks she…
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My DH wants my undivided attention
Please give me your advice here. My DH wants my undivided attention. He can be doing nothing, but if I get on the phone to talk to a friend he always seems to “need” my help. And many times he says that me being on the phone is just when he thought we were spending time together. The truth is we are retired and spend most…
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Memantine
My DW's neurologist increased her donepizil dosage from 5mg to 10 mg and she was experiencing nausea. We reduced the dosage back to 5mg and the nausea stopped. The neurologist has now prescribed 5mg memantine twice a day to supplement the 5mg donepizil. Do any of you have experience with memantine and possible side effects?
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Just need a hug today
My DH is in Memory Care since January. I have been going thru chemo & had surgery 4/25. I'm just now getting where I can drive & go visit him on my own. They had to medicate him due to agitation & aggression. The last 3x I visited him he slept except to wake up to eat, then went right back to sleep. The doctor is gradually…
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Seeing things
My wife has been seeing things for a few weeks now. Sometimes she knows they aren't real, and other times she insists they are. It's sometimes hard to know which it is sometimes, and I sometimes say the wrong thing. Any suggestions or comments?
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Automatic Stove Shut Off Device
Hi all, My DH left the gas grill on all night, luckily, with no damage. I’ve ordered an auto shut off timer for it. While I’m at it, I’d like to get one for our electric range as well. I’m seeing a CookStop advertised, that looks like what we need, but I can’t actually find it available anywhere. I also see an Iguard…