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Struggling with Refusals for Doctor appointments
DH has become livid and screaming and throwing things when I notify him of another appointment. I have been very conscience of limiting the unnecessary appointments, but this time it is the Neurologist. I am sure it is partially fear, but I do not know how to help him feel like it will be OK and the doctor is there to help…
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Anosognosia Challenge
This is just a vent. I am NOT asking for advice or tips. But I would like to read about your experiences with this caregiver challenge. My DH with mild/moderate dementia thinks the meds he takes will cure his “small” issues. While he admits to some short term memory loss, he rejects my determinations that he should not…
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What to say.
Yesterday my DW said if she would die tomorrow I would be happy because I would be free of her and her problems. I know this is the disease talking, but it is hard to understand. Does she think I don't love ? How do y'all handle this ? Thanks.
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First Post
I’ve been following along for months now and decided it’s time to jump in. My DH is 68 and was diagnosed with EOAD and logopenic progressive aphasia. His latest neurology visit in December had him in stage 5, but I think he’s probably been dipping into stage 6 for a few months now. We’ve been married 40 years and needless…
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Subacute rehab vent
My DH Is in a subacute rehab after having his toes and part of his foot amputated due to gangrene. He is not supposed to put weight on his foot until the doctor gives the ok. Last Friday night while sundowning, he got out of bed, walked into the next room and fell. He cut his arm and has a big bruise, but nothing else. The…
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Importance of connection for caregivers
Just thought I would share a recent experience. My DH bounces back and forth between stage 4 and 5-mostly five. We recently took a car trip to visit family and he handled the car ride very well which surprised me. While we were there he had a really bad night where he was extremely confused(more than normal), extreme temp…
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CBD to help manage symptoms
Any one have experience with CBD to help manage anxiety and agitation in your loved ones?
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Talking to who knows
My DW spends a good part of her day talking to people who I have no idea who they are. This is all in her mind as we are the only ones present. Is this a normal act of Alzheimer’s? Is it considered delusional or hallucinations? Should I be concerned about it and call the neurologist? Is there medications that help? I’m at…
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Home care, will this work or not ?
Through this journey I have realized several things . 1 . Don't set your expectations high . 2 . Throw out everything that made sense to you at one time . 3 . Seek as much help as you can . 4 . Last but not least stop feeling guilty when you didn't succeed in getting your loved one to do any of the things that come with…
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DW does not want to see a sister
My DW is 62 and has been living with AZ for the last 7 years. In the last 4 weeks she has become extremely agitated by the mere mention of her sisters name. We don’t understand why and the sister was obviously very upset although I think she understands my wife cannot help it. I was hoping that it was an aberration but the…
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The Cavalry Is Not Coming: 9 Year Edition
This is an updated version of The Cavalry Is Not Coming. I repost this occasionally as I have been informed that this article has helped many caregivers. This edition is mostly the same, although I have brought it up to date and revised it to make it more helpful. October 1, 2024 marked nine years since my wife’s dementia…
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Lewy bodies(1)
My husband was diagnosed 5 years ago with Alzheimer’s. Now we have been told he has Lewy Bodies with Parkinson. He is taking Depakote and Seroquel. Has anyone had this to happen and medication?
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A Cautionary Tale: Details Emerging About Hackman's Death
I'll put a trigger warning here. This is difficult reading. It has been determined that Gene Hackman died from cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's a full week after his wife succumbed to Hantavirus. She was among the oft quoted 1/3 of caregivers who died before their LO. Friends describe his wife as fit, healthy and 3…
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I'm Burning out
DH is actually very sweet (most of the time). We have a companion/caregiver two afternoons a week and I can get out for a bit. It helps but not as much as I thought it would. I realize I'm burning out but he's not yet at the point where he needs MC. I struggle to do housekeeping, bill paying, I'm just putting everything…
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He doesn't give up
I have previously posted about difficulties dealing with my ex-boyfriend. To summarize, he was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment 4 years ago. He is retested every year with the same result. He manages all his daily living activities with no problems. He also bowls, golfs, dances, navigates the computer and all his…
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physical exercise in memory care
My DW has been in MC for just two weeks. The MCF doesn't really have any facilities for real exercise. DW is in pretty good physical condition now. We regularly walked the dog, and she saw a personal trainer once a week. Without exercise, I imagine she can deteriorate quickly, losing muscle tone and balance, not to mention…
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PET Scan Amyloid results
DH just had amyloid pet scan. Just reaching out to see if anyone has any insight on where he might be with all of this based on the widespread findings. Findings were: "Tracer activity is noted in the brainstem and cerebellar peduncles but not in the cerebellar hemispheres. Tracer activity is noted in the frontal,…
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Feeling nauseous, sweating, shaking
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Need tips for keeping DW in her home as this progresses.
We are clearly in the stage now where I cannot do this in our home by myself. I have set up paid companion care 3 days a week, 5 hours per shift. I think I can also get some help from family for a few hours a week. I am continuing to look at placement and make sure I am educated and prepared if it comes to that. We live in…
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Shuffling and Gait Changes
How many of you have observed your LOs developing shuffling and stiff gaits. My DH has recently experienced an acceleration of these symptoms. I suspect he is transitioning from 5 to6.
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EOAD and Amyloid PET Scan
DH just saw a new neurologist and she is trying to get an amyloid PET scan for confirmation of EOAD or FTD. MMSE is showing he is in stage 2 with mild dementia. No longer in the MCI category. Have any of you had the scan? Did your commercial insurance plan cover it? The doctor said it will reveal EOAD so we can talk about…
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Driving
My friend has an at home caregiver. She has not driven her car in four months. The aide or I take care of the driving. She had a dead battery which we fixed. Now she wants to drive it, just around the corner. I suggested I drive. She did not want that. She wants to drive with me..I do not want to be in the car with her.…
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Should we proceed with testing
my husband has mci(22 score on Moca). We went to neurophysiologist and he ordered a in-depth test. My husband has severe sleep apnea that took almost a year to correct. He was having 36 episodes per night. The neuro wants the test because of that and his low score. my husband feels conflicted to get a diagnosis it just…
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traveling with spouse with dementia- beginning stages
Husband has posterior cortical atrophy so forgets things easily, has no peripheral vision. But we love to travel. Considering the Caribbean to escape MN winter. We love to walk together. Plan to stay in one place from approx march 3-10. any ideas? thanks. Lois
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looking for advice for "chattering"
For a few weeks now, it has been non stop repetitive nonsense coming from my DW combined with the intense shadowing which means she is rarely more than an arm's length away. I know ALZ is not a mental illness, but that is certainly how it looks and feels. I get to listen to her lose her mind in real time, non stop. Nothing…
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Any tips for a caregiver to work out?
I’ve tried 5 caregivers. Every time, my DH (stage 6) likes them the first day, after that doesn’t want them around. Follows me everywhere very agitated. I’m tired and need help. Caregiver # 6 is starting Monday. So far she is the best I’ve seen, a CNA, works in hospice lots of experience. Very passionate about her work,…
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first visit to memory care
I made my first visit today to see my DW in memory care. She's been there just over a week. I was advised to stay about an hour and to arrange a signal with the staff so I could excuse myself "to go to the bathroom" and leave. It was hard and terribly sad to see her. DW said over and over, "I miss you so much." She asked…
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Jay Leno caring for wife with dementia
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jay-leno-stands-marriage-vows-faces-challenges-caring-wife-suffering-dementia
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Won’t let me help clean him up
This is not a nice topic, but you all know how it is in this forum. 😉 DH is at the point where he isn’t cleaning his behind well after using the toilet. We both have always closed the door when we used the bathroom throughout our long marriage. So now when I knock on the door and ask if I can come in or if he needs any…
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Long Geri-Psych Stay!
At the end of last month/beginning of this month, I posted that DH had a complete mental breakdown at his rehab center, where he was recovering from a fractured tibia. He was transferred to the local ER. Here's the update: After 2 days in the ER, on April 2, he was transferred to an inpatient Geri Psych facility. He's…