-
When to transition to full time caregiver?
Hi! I just joined this online support group and have spent almost an hour with the discussions before deciding to post my own discussion. My DH was diagnosed with CAA in 2022 and had mini strokes after a heart surgery late last year. He recovered well from that surgery and all diagnostic tests this year have been ok…
-
Giving gifts to external caregivers
Just wondering if anyone gives Christmas gifts to your caregivers? We have one that comes in a couple of times a week. My DH is not at the stage yet where he needs a lot of on hands care except making sure he eats a good lunch but she is still there to support him. She does take care of things around the house while she is…
-
Shrinking world
Caring for DW. Currently in stage 4 and some 5 conditions. This is more of a release and venting for me than a question. The longer this goes on the smaller the world becomes. Over the years friends family become more distant. Partly because you're no longer able do the things that we used to. It's even to the point that…
-
Very sorry
Hi y’all. I have not been reading or writing lately. I wish everyone love, mercy, understanding, acceptance and peace on their journey. My wife and I are not doing well on ours. She is in stage seven, stuck in a bed or Jerry chair mumbling and not eating. She looks very unhappy and suffering. I don’t want to be a widower…
-
How to handle son’s death
My wife is at stage 5/6. We found out yesterday her 52 year old son ( my step son) was found dead in his car 1500 miles away. He struggled with alcoholism and drug abuse and was homeless for the past four years living in his car. He refused all help to get him off the streets and into recovery. He has had very little…
-
Support for a couple living with Alzheimer's
I see groups for the person with Alzheimer's and groups for caregivers. Are there groups for support for the couple going through that? Thank you.
-
Morning brain fog solutions please?
Hi everyone. I’m new to this forum and this condition of my DH who has been waking up at 3:00 AM (regardless if we sleep at 9 PM or 1 AM) for the past 2 days and very confused. Today, he didn’t even recognize me. He went back to sleep after half an hour and wanted to go to bed in the guest room but I somehow managed to…
-
Feeling Happily Empowered
It’s not often that I feel empowered these days. My DH has VD stage 6 we have sleepless nights wandering around the house, Christmas shopping sprees ha ha that take hours slowly shuffling from store to store hand in hand (which I do love) BUT yesterday we had a new tv delivered, my idea Christmas gift to us. Good idea…
-
Grinding of Teeth
My DW has been diagnosed with Alz for 8 years. She is currently in stage 4. She just started grinding her teeth during awake hours. I am afraid she might do permanent damage to her teeth. She visited her dentist to reattach a crown. Her dentist was no help. Has anyone else run into this problem?
-
Supporting DH and 93 year old mom - Advice?
I have a 68 year old DH with probably stage 5/6 ALZ - in MC for 5 months due to agitation, aggression, not sleeping and constant issues with trying to get out of the house. I'm going through that intense sadness of being without my partner of 46 years and so grateful to all of you who understand the emotions, loneliness…
-
First Waking Thought
My first waking thought nearly every morning is “Oh no! Another day”! I know I am depressed. I am a high functioning depressive right now. I do everything I need to do in our daily lives and take care of DH in all the ways he needs me. I am not perfect but I am here learning and adapting. Meanwhile, I am trying everything…
-
Didn't post much, and now it's over
One year ago we learned my husband had dementia. As the year went on, Parkinsons became another issue. Last month, he was in heart failure. And today the love of my.life, my best buddy, and dearest friend died. To all of you on this journey, you will stay in my heart. I have no words of wisdom. This is a horrible disease…
-
Perseveration
this is my first time on this forum. My wife has Alzheimer’s and is probably in stage 4 or 5. She can perseverate on a problem and as much as I try to get her to think about something else, she keeps going back to the problem that irritates her. I need help to find ways of dealing with this issue in productive ways. How do…
-
Catch-22
Well, I seem to have encountered a Catch-22. I explained our situation (wife with early dementia) to a lawyer, who said I would need a letter from my wife’s doctor before she (the lawyer) would draft a Power of Attorney. My wife’s doctor wrote a letter saying that my wife is cognitively impaired and that a POA would be…
-
Grateful
thank you all for the kind supportive words. Note: my wife has been in hospice for six months now she has two small bed sores on her hip and buttock
-
Bible Verse to Lift You Up 12/8/24
GOD TEACHES AND LEADS YOU AND ME Isaiah 48:17 New Living Translation “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” I am always asking the Lord for His guidance. I suspect you do too. He…
-
Kisssing in MC
My husbands MC called last night to tell me that DH and a female resident had shared a mutual kiss on the lips. The nurse said they were going to do their best to keep them separated. My first reaction was, "Oh, ****" although I didn't say it out loud. The nurse said she was sorry and we hung up. I didn't know whether to…
-
How he parts his hair -
So much of Alzheimer’s is heartbreakingly sad, especially when our loved ones stop generating conversations, but occasionally something is said that causes heartfelt mirth. I shower, dress, and most every night tuck my husband in even though he’s in memory care facility. While combing his hair after a shower, I asked him…
-
Ftd
No formatter is installed for the format not-found
-
Donepezil & Memantine your opinions
my wife has been on Memantine about 6 months Nurologist added Donepezil anyone use both at same time ???
-
Guns
Hi my father is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. We live in rural Alaska and he has always had an arsenal of guns in our home. He always carries one with him everywhere we go. He hasn’t given me any reason or worries about his guns. He also hasn’t shot them in almost year or so. But I know there is going to be a day…
-
STAGE 8 - There is no other side of grief...
My soulmate husband Lonny passed August 12. I feel lost most of the time but am trying to find myself without him. Found this on a Facebook post today. So true. I had my own notion of grief. I thought it was the sad time, that followed the death of someone you love. And you had to push through it to get to the other side.…
-
eating habits regressing
DH has ES Alz…but lately, he seems to be regressing in HOW he eats…licking the knife after putting on peanut butter on toast, licking his fingers at the table instead of using his napkin…basic good manners. Is this just him or is this a thing?
-
Turning Corners and Crossing Bridges
Belated Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! I remain so grateful for this group, the life I’ve had with my DW, and even for parts of the life I still have with her. With that, the holiday was difficult as she turned another corner. Her stepdaughter and family were here, which was so nice on one hand. On the other, my DW asked me…
-
Lack of comprehension
My DH is Stage 6 Alz and under Hospice care. I am currently at 10 years on our journey with this disease and certainly there have been challenges but for the most part I feel I have handled it fairly well. For awhile now I have not been able to understand what he is saying. However the last week or so my DH no longer seems…
-
hallucinations
:(
-
hallucinations
My wife just started to have hallucinations and keeps me awake in bed. Any suggestions
-
Love & go on...
A friend posted this on Facebook and I thought it might help someone who lost a loved one this year. I'm having a hard time this year. Love & hugs to you all. 🙏💜
-
Want to get this off of my chest
Hi y’all. I haven’t been reading or writing lately. May everyone find mercy ,under standing, acceptance and peace on your journey. My wife and I are not doing well on ours. She is in stage seven now. Stuck in bed or a Jerry chair not eating mumbling and looking like she is miserable. I cry every time I see her and get very…
-
Expected taxes from SSDI (disability) income??
Hello, My husband is 56, diagnosed with EO Alzheimer's in November of '23 (at age 55), but showed obvious signs of decline beginning at about age 52-53. I'm so relieved that he was approved for SSDI in October (5 months after applying) and we will receive his first disability check this month. It will come RIGHT as his…