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Why Rollercoaster Ride
Does anyone know why this is such a Rollercoaster ride? One day is really really good. The next is equally bad? Seems like I get one or a few good days followed by 5 or 6 really awful days. I keep looking for some external marker (food, drink, fresh air, what have you). I'm at a loss. Has anyone studied possible linkage…
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new low
Yesterday, while cutting my DH's nails, I smelled feces. I've been tearful all day...
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Using a water flosser for dental hygiene
Yesterday DH and I went to the dentist for the first time in over a year. DH's teeth are a mess for many reasons such as: * bone loss in the jaw, * head trauma from his adventurous escapades, * a lifetime of smoking, and * neglect. The dentist recommended deep cleaning. Its an intense procedure that will require numbing…
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Wife Has Mild Cognitive Impairment
I posted this yesterday on the caregivers forum when it would have been more appropriate here. My wife Linda (63) was diagnosed this March with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Her condition really began, in my opinion, in late 2019 and was significantly impacted by the Covid pandemic. Although she never had covid, the stress…
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frequent need to reorganize and get rid of items
Hello, at this time my husband is wanting to go through items in our home to dispose of things he feels he no longer needs. Unfortunately, this happens more than once with the same items. He goes through his clothes occasionally saying he wants to throw away things he does not wear or does not fit him. Some he wears…
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Crushing seroquel?
My DW is having problem swallowing her seroquel. Its an issue of understanding swallowing the pill whole. She tends to swish it around in her mouth until it tastes bad and then spits it out. Google says not to crush the pill. She takes a low dose 25 mg 3 times a day. Has anyone crushed them and put in applesauce or…
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Do I report these behaviors? Inappropriate Sexual Behavior
Fair warning--this post is not for the faint at heart, and I am sorry if any find it offensive, but I need some advise. My husband is diagnosed mild dementia and is still functioning quite well most of the time. He mows the lawn, takes care of his flower garden, helps with the dishes, reads the newspaper, watches TV…
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Immunity waning in Israel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNbs4LCgrcY Sorry that is not a live link. It is "Big US implications from Israel" by Dr. John Campbell on YouTube. In a nutshell, he talks about how in Israel many or most of the population are fully vaccinated. Now, however, it appears immunity is waning as the vaccine appears to be only…
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Large study links gum disease with dementia
Has anyone seen this information? I searched this forum and couldn't find any related information or link. Large Study Links Gum Disease with Dementia The mouth is home to about 700 species of bacteria, including those that can cause periodontal (gum) disease. A recent analysis led by NIA scientists suggests that bacteria…
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The unvaccinated continue to die at the same high rate
From today's Washington post The result is startling: Missouri’s case rate among unvaccinated people is as high as its overall case rate in mid-January, near the state’s peak of coronavirus infections....... “With the arrival of delta, we will have two very different epidemics — one a mild cold in vaccinated individuals,…
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Daily schedule
It has finally happened. My husband got lost on his daily walk. A policeman called me and I went to pick him up. He was in the general area where he walks daily. It was hot, very crowded with visitors and he was hungry. I plan to now walk with him everyday. He won’t be happy because he walks between 6-7 miles at a time and…
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he didn't recognize our wedding picture
My mom passed away 2 weeks ago. We were at her house in NJ and I found some snapshots of our wedding. When we got home I showed them to my husband and he didn't know who those people were. He thought I was a friend of mine that we didn't know in 1971. I was really surprised he didn't recognize me or himself. Feeling a…
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Once again......stopping the PWD from driving
So, about 3 months ago I bought a new car knowing that it would keep my DH from wanting to drive. We still have an older vehicle, but I am not comfortable with him having driving privileges anymore. My son agrees. His next appointment with his Alzheimer's Geriatric specialist is coming up, and I was hoping that would be a…
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Need advice about how to convince my DH we need to downsize.
My husband was diagnosed with Alz last January. We live in a big old house with stairs and lots of stuff and an acre lot. He is 78 years old and 16 years older than me. So far he has been able to take care of the mowing and general home care, but I know this is not going to last forever. Plus I don't want him spending all…
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I'm all used up
Last year while on a call to Dr. Tam Cummings, I was advised to put my husband into Memory Care. Though on a precipice of despair at the time, struggling to attempt to maintain a "normal" life while working with inadequate home health care, I've managed to not make that move....until now. Since March, 2020, my husband has…
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They called me a hero
In the last two months, two different brothers-in-law have told me I am a hero. One actually said I was his hero. He said he could never do what I am doing. No one has ever called me a hero before and I certainly don't think of myself as one. After looking up the dictionary definition of hero however I think all of us on…
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Transition from nagging wife to parent
When do I make the transition from nagging wife to parent? My husband was diagnosed with MCI last year. Changes to his short-term memory have been slight. Sometimes I think he is better. Other times I think not. (He is on Aricept —not that I think that is helping.) One thing I am noticing is that he showers every three to…
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Happy 58th Birthday to Dear Husband
Yesterday was DH's 58th Birthday. We made it a day long celebration, which was probably too long. DH stated he had a good time. He smiled big most of the day. DH danced with me again! Music really really gets him tapping his feet. The day gave me a milestone to compare where we are now to where we were a year ago. * We are…
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A Message from the Alzheimer’s Association during Covid-19(1)
This message is a joke.
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This has been working for a week
I know I'm not the only one with this problem, so I'll let you know what's working (so far) for me. My wife does not want to change her incontinence underwear in the morning, even if they weigh 15 or 20 pounds. It has been hard to get her to change. But after 7 days of success, I thought I'd share. We have been White Sox…
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She made me laugh
I pretty much dread the morning routine we have. Getting my wife undressed, showered, dressed again etc. is becoming more and more of a challenge. Depending how it goes often sets the tone for how the day will go. Today, I laughed out loud when I was helping her put a bra on. I usually help her get her arms through the…
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5 years ago
It has been 5 years since my wife, Colleen, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; 8½ years since she first reported memory loss to her doctor. I believe she is currently nearing the end of stage 5. She started exhibiting some symptoms of Stage 6 years ago, but I don’t believe she’s there yet. She is past her year and a half long…
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File power of attorney and advanced medical directive
Just finished having the documents notarized, drawn by the attorney. DH has memory issues, still waiting on neuropsychological testing results. Where should file the papers? I am the spouse who has the authority. In the process of looking for a geriatric pcp in Inova in Virginia. For DH. Once decided, I will hand over a…
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Free Brain Donation
I have been trying to add another version of this on the AA site but the file is too large. So for now this will have to do. I reached out to AA and so far not much help. This is very important for all? If AA is successful, you will see the better one. One of the best ways to advance research toward finding answers about…
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2nd respite stay scheduled
It’s booked. Perhaps you remember when I told you about the nursing home in Tunisia (room in an hotel with a full time caregiver, lot of activities and all the medical staff). I called, get more information, discussed it with my partner’s children and decided to plan a trial in September September 23th we will fly to…
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AAN ISSUES ETHICAL GUIDANCE FOR DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS AND CARE
That is great to see that they change the way they think about driving. I wish they did better about dying but they did improve it a hair. Press Release EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 4 PM ET, July 12, 2021 AAN ISSUES ETHICAL GUIDANCE FOR DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS AND CARE MINNEAPOLIS – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the…
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Ten years of living with dying
It's over ten years since DW was diagnosed with MCI by doctors who simply did not want to call it early onset Alzheimer's in a 58 year old physician. She has gone from being a world famous physician + mother+ spouse to being a shambling shell who can be hand fed and walks and nothing else. The last 3 years and 10 months…
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Shadowing(2)
My DW seems to be getting worse as far as shadowing. She is at a moderate stage but declining at a faster pace the last several months. I know MC is going to be in the picture sooner than later. Have 4 hours a day/7 days a week help (thankfully bought LTC insurance back in 1999); but I am feeling more and more overwhelmed.…
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Some of the annoying things people say to caregivers........
Well meaning people, are often at a loss of what to say, so they fill the void with what they think is acceptable. Often, I prefer silence instead. For example, I was talking to another caregiver. I informed her that my DH had Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. She responded like so many people do, "does it run in the…
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Our Trip Was Cancelled
For the last five months we have been planning a trip to see friends in Idaho. They live in the mountains in a beautiful home and have wanted us to visit for several years We were scheduled to leave Tuesday 20 July and be gone for about a week. It is a long drive from our home to theirs, but with a night in a hotel each…