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Finding Hope
I am new to this journey and to this forum. I have appreciated comments from others who are feeling what I am feeling. While my family is very supportive, they aren't "in the trenches" 24/7. My husband was diagnosed with MCI in June, 2018, one month after my much-anticipated retirement. I initially felt cheated to finally…
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Where did my friends go?
I haven't seen this topic addressed recently, and I am sure it has...but I have missed it. It seems I am not included in neighborhood get-togethers and other social events any longer. My DH is 70 and in moderate to late stage mixed dementia. Over the past two years (when he has had more difficulty communicating) I have…
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Update to placement
A month ago I said I'd made the decision to place DH. I thought I'd share an update to it all. Beware - it's long! The first week I called a ton of care homes. Several didn't take Medicaid for their memory units. Scratch them. Two didn't even want to talk to me. "He's not a good fit". All I told was that he had Alzheimer's…
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DH is having mobility challenges - suggestions are welcome
I mentioned the following in another thread. I'm reposting in hopes of reaching a larger audience for suggestions: DH is starting to have mobility issues. His balance is worse. I think it is a combo of the apraxia and lack of meaningful movement. When the OT and PT therapists were coming, DH did his exercises. When it is…
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Husband sleeping all the time
Hi.. this is my first day on this site. My husband was diagnosed 3 years ago with Alzheimer’s. I knew something was wrong at least a year before. He is up in his 80’s and I’m early 70’s. I have been his sole care giver all this time. Over last 5 months he sleeps most of the time. Today I gave him lunch in bed. Dinner…
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CStrope, jfkoc, Jo C, and abc123
Judging from a previous thread, I thought you might be interested. https://variety.com/2021/music/news/lady-gaga-tony-bennett-viacomcbs-mtv-unplugged-special-video-1235065259/
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Recording Live Music
Hi Friends. We are musicians and my DH is the talented one- a vocalist, musician, and writer. He was Dx in August with EO. His ability to play and remember are already in decline. Band members are making generous allowances so he may continue to 'play' and be on stage as long as he wishes. Out of the many things he is…
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EO Dx- Is Dr Doing Enough?
My DH received his EO Dx last month. His Neurologist started him on Aricept. At the follow-up meeting my DH was doing well/tolerating the med. She wants to see him in 6 mos. I asked her what else we can do? (He is taking his rx, exercising, vitamin supplements, eating well, started working puzzles). Her answer was,…
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I need a pollen filter!
We know men don’t shed tears, right? So as I read various posts on this forum, my eyes have a tendency to get moist. Since men don’t cry, it must be a build-up of pollen in the house affecting my eyes. So, therefore I need a pollen filter to eliminate the pollen. I could also use that filter sometimes after tucking her…
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Therapy??? yea or nah?!
So, my daughter keeps telling me I need to be in therapy to deal with all of this Alzheimer's stress. Has anybody found it helpful? If so.....what do you look for in a therapist that can help navigate the stressers and stress we as caregivers suffer.
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@jfkoc and others
Judith, you often reference I Remember Better When I Paint. I came across a book called Creative Care. I only read the first part, but it's about using the imaginations of PWDs instead of their memories. It might be of interest to you. Iris
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Am I handling it correctly?
Approximately three years ago my wife was diagnosed with dementia. The neurologist even said “dementia” in front of my wife after his exam. On the way home (and at other times since then) she said “I don’t have dementia. I just have a memory problem.” My wife and I don’t discuss her having dementia. Sometimes while I’m on…
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Yom Kippur(1)
g’mar chatima tovah
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Notifing Insurance company
My DH has not driven in close to a year and the renewal is due. Has anyone experienced problems with letting the insurance company know that their spouse no longer drives due to dementia? I figure it would save some money, but at the risk of being cancelled due to his illness, not sure it's worth letting them know. Please…
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Changes coming
Later this month I am having a minor medical procedure and will not be able to manage my wife’s care. Next week, she will go to an MCF for a 30 day stay, and the week after that I go to the surgical center. I will have some time to recuperate and attend to some business. Any feelings of guilt at sending her to MCF have…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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?
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…