-
How to approach the loss of dignity
I just need a helping hand over this coming hurdle. My wife can't do basic stuff, including eating a sandwich (takes them apart, eats layer at a time), or filling her own coffee cup. In the bathroom she's on her own, and the results are getting worse. Used toilet paper is going in the trash, sometimes joined by soiled…
-
Where to Begin
Dx was 2 years ago come December. I have lurked on this board for a year of it wondering when I might put my toes in the water, so to speak. After reading a few of the most recent threads...today is that day. It was not an unexpected DX and the Dr knew it as well...we had been talking for months, he and I, about my…
-
Step families who refuse to educate themselves about dementia symptoms
My 84 year old husband has Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. As his spouse and caregiver, I continually educate myself about all the symptoms of this progressive disease so that I can give my husband the best care possible. I do watch online videos, read books, attend seminars, belong to an LBD support group, read this…
-
Thank you to my friends
I have been gone for a few months. DW was sent to MC in December. At that time I was told that I was the trigger for her aggressive behavior and I should "love her from afar." Between December 22 and August 9, I had visited her seven times. On August 9, she was more confused than normal and was running a fever. She was…
-
Progression timetable?
Is there any way to estimate what the timetable for progression is? My DW's doc was completely non-committal. My DW is incredibly healthy... except for her scrambled gray matter. Surely there is some resource based on age, symptoms, underlying health, etc. What can you suggest friends?
-
questions about medications
My DW has been on Aricept for close to 2 years now. hard to tell if it has done anything, but at least there doesnt seem to be any bad side effects. After last visit with Gerontologist, she was put on Mementine along with the Aricept. Has anyone had experience with this drug? Any issues? Any improvements? Just started…
-
Just need to talk to my friends (154)
HI, Thought it was time for 154 especially for Sara in the morning and the fact it is getting hard to get logged in to our thread. Hoping for good news from everyone in the morning. I had a bit of good news yesterday - my PU is finished - except they still can't find door seals that will fit so told them to keep trying for…
-
Expect the worse with dementia
IIf you do that your life will be a happier place. If you are surprised by Somthing you did not do enough to learn.
-
Lazy Sunday Mornings
Today has been a very busy day. It has been full of general care giving duties: * taking DH to the toilet, multiple times * making meals, feeding dh, cleaning up after meals. multiple times * showering DH, * dressing DH, * washing laundry, * lighting DH's cigarettes so he doesn't burn his face, multiple times * etc. etc.…
-
derecho and causing Alzheimer’s????
My Aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s & dementia back in June, I was there when she & my Uncle got back from the neurologist who had read her ct scan & saw/read the paperwork. She was put on medication, don’t know the name, but is for brain/mental issues and states for the slowing of Alzheimer’s symptoms. My Aunt & Uncle…
-
OT: Sad day
Today would have been my father's 98th birthday. I was glad he didn't live to see 2001. I can hardly bear to watch any of the remembrances, still too close. Any one else feel this way too? I know I can be seasonal, and the light is going down--but it's hard to feel like there is anything to look forward to right now. Maybe…
-
Covid rates verus vaccination rates
This is a list of every state in the USA with a Covid death rate higher than the USA Average (Deaths per 100,000 per day) All but Florida are BELOW the USA Average in Vaccinations Whatever reason, excuse, rationale, prevarication, religious belief, science disbelief or whatever drives people to not get vaccinated, the…
-
Taking Charge
I read this today in “Daily Comforts for Caregivers “ by Pat Samples. “When I’ve had to take charge of some areas of my loved one’s life, he doesn’t want to let go, even when he can’t manage anymore. He’s used to being in charge. Sometimes I have to be strong and insist. I can understand why he wants to maintain control,…
-
I think I found it
I have been washing bed sheets 4 or 5 times per week, but not this week. Parentgiving.com has a new brand that they are handling. It is called Dry Direct. We have been using them for 5 nights now, and I have not had to wash sheets. But I probably should say that she only slept through 1 night (10 hours or so), and the…
-
I feel like a terrible person
I am so down today. Last few days have been rough but if I could just remain patient things wouldn't be as bad. My DH isn't as far along as some of your LO's but I feel like I'm really losing it!Started on Friday. We went to the beach about an hour from home. DH picked the beach, it was the first time all summer that we…
-
I am glad to see them go after these companies.
So much more needs to be done to stop these companies. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/prevagen-memory-loss-does-it-work/2021/09/10/53e5d3e8-f3a6-11eb-a49b-d96f2dac0942_story.html
-
Lost The Love of my Life
As difficult as the last five years have been I never imagined that we would not battle it together for another 10 beautiful bride passed away last Friday after an extremely large brain bleed fortunately my son daughter-in-law and grandchildren were able to be present as she passed it is the most painful thing I have…
-
MC Visit only a Half Hour
After tormenting months and months, my DH started to decline more rapidly. He's only 68 with usual endurance for walking and more, but suddenly, he could do nothing and family noticed prodding me to act sooner. So - I did. After a very rocky start with him yelling, "I don't want to be here", we left abruptly and within a…
-
Nothing Much
Hello Gang! My DW passed june 2020 and ive felt no need to come back around here. I served in the army 20 years grew up on my reservation and went to war in the Gulf. I felt numb i suppose . I faced death and was prepared to die over there. I was changed by facing death. I remember the instant my DW passed. I prayed for…
-
Paying employees to be vaccinated
Our grandson works for Cleveland-Cliffs, a steel maker. They offered their employees a nice bonus to be vaccinated. He took them up on it. Here's an article on the plan. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/08/covid-vaccine-cleveland-cliffs-ceo-says-offering-workers-a-bonus-increased-uptake.html
-
Please help me change lives
Hi folks, I need you help ideas and if you have funds, I need them to. As many of you know I have been an advocate for this cause for a very long time. What you may not know is that I do this work all over the world. I have focused a lot of my work in Africa were they believe dementia is which craft and may are locked in…
-
DH final days--so sad
A while ago I wrote asking how to break off a visit to my DH in Memory care. Now he is in Hospice care on Morphine every four hours and non-communicative and doesn't recognize me. How I wish I could go back to the problematic visits with him. He fell on Sunday, went to ER, had x-rays which showed multiple pelvic fractures.…
-
VENT - Pooping Confusion
DH has been in disposable briefs for quite a while. I watch him like a hawk when he is my eye sight to get him to the bathroom. And he has gotten much better at telling me when he feels the need to go. This morning DH let me know that he needed to go to the bathroom. I got him successfully to the toilet. He later told me…
-
How Do You Respond to Casual Friends Automatic Question, “How’s (Name of Spouse)” Knowing She Has A
This is a wonderful group of compassionate spouses/caregivers, and I have learned so much from this chat room. In the grand scheme of things, this issue/pet peeve of mine is minor. I’m seeking your advice on how to best reply to casual friends in my retirement community who ask how my wife is doing EVERY time they see me…
-
My wife won't accept care from me or home care women.
Lexapro quit working. Tried Seroquil, it kept her up all night. She's in severe Alzheimer's stage. 70 years old. She still walks fine, but hard to get her out of bed, and get her to eat and drink liquids. Friends and family members can cheer her up and get her motivated, but there are only a handful of people that are…
-
Turning in bed
My husband , on hospice, is spending most of the time in bed. I have always tried to stay ahead of where he is at to buy products and think about what I will need to do. Right now his skin is good but am beginning to worry about turning and bed sores. Any advice out there from people who have dealt with a bed bound loved…
-
Delusions-you can't make this stuff up!
Hi Everyone. I've been inspired by the "Found What Where?" thread and thought I'd start a list of my DH's delusions over the past few years. I don't typically post but think it might be a good time to start. My DH has a tentative diagnosis of Posterial Cortical Atrophy, but Lewy Body Dementia is also still on the table.…
-
Camp Counselor
Perhaps this might help someone else... My DW was recently officially diagnosed with EO ALZ after several years of decline. I can still leave her alone for a while but the time is fast approaching when that won't be possible. While she still mostly recognizes family and close friends, I'm keeping our calendar full with…
-
Manly adult bibs
Meal times are messy here. I am considering purchasing adult bibs for DH. * Does your loved one use an adult bib? * Is using a bib worth the expense and/or the hassle? * Does the bib fasten with a snap, tie, velcro or other? * Besides ClassyPal, where can I find masculine looking bibs? Thanks all.
-
Seizures and Dementia
I was wondering if anyone had experience with their LO and seizures. My husband experienced the first one, that I noticed in June while we were in the car. He was staring, stiff, hands clenched and became incontinent. We went to the emergency room at Penn and they put him on 750mg Keppra 2xdaily. He has declined since that…