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Are there places that will care for a dementia patient for a short time?
I need a place for DW who is probably early stage 6 to go for about a week while I have back surgery to address pain and numbness in my legs. My thought is that when I return home we will employ a caregiver service to supplement our adult son's (who works full time) help until I'm back to being able to care for her. Do any…
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When to seek a care facility
My partner is in the moderate stage of dementia, most likely diagnosis is ALZ. However, she also has an abnormal gait and cannot walk without assistance and is a fall risk when she forgets to use her walker or cane. She has fallen at least 6 times with none resulting in serious injury although the last one could have is…
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Sneaked out and drove when not allowed to
My husband has not been allowed to drive since his stroke four years ago until this morning, when he got into the car and drove to the fruit market. He no longer has a license, since it was surrendered a year and a half ago. Though he often sits in the car and listens to the radio while waiting for me to come out to go…
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The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Calls for Six Key Actions to Drive Early Detection and Preventio
I was at this meeting and we can all thank USAgainstAlzheimers for this. They are the out of box thinkers that made this all happen. The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Calls for Six Key Actions to Drive Early Detection and Prevention of Alzheimer's In the face of the megatrend of aging populations, healthcare systems…
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New member(3)
Hi all, I'm a new member to this group. My DP (dear partner?) has been diagnosed with MCI. This after a 3 hour visit to a well respected neuropsychologist. Learning, Executive Function and Working Memory were the areas indicated as weaknesses. He suggested we consider working with a speech pathologist. The neurologist our…
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You Say its Your Birthday
Its my wife’s 66th birthday, but she doesn't know it. She received cards and gifts, but soon forgot. Her cousin visited yesterday and brought flowers and a card, and my wife denied it was her birthday. We ordered out because we’ve reached the point where her behavior is disruptive to others in the restaurant. She got very…
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how do you get them to take meds when they don't want to
new member - LO has no children, no siblings near by ,no buddies; we are not married. I think he is level 4 out of 7 and in total denial. Have been referred to a neurologist twice and both have said don't come back, as he is totally uncooperative. He doesn't like anyone telling him what to do - not going to get POA on…
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Sorry, Another Covid thread. Dreading this Fall.
This Spring I was finally able to visit my beloved spouse on her floor, and at times in her room-if the roommate was not in with her. Since I'm her only visitor I try to visit 4 days a week for 2 or 3 hours at a time.(80 minute drive each way). My county and one other in my state are at high risk for Covid transmission.…
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Adding Depakote with Seroquel
Has anyone had a loved one that takes both Depakote and Seroquel? If so, I am wondering what reaction you see in the person you care for that takes both medications, and was it also for agitation and aggression? DH is already on Seroquel but the Neurologist suggested adding Depakote along with Seroquel for DH anxiety and…
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Agitation and agression
Is it normal that my dh is getting almost hyperactive and often resists treatment for various like his diabetes? What drugs are being used to help them? I know about Ativan.
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Have had it!
I have not posted much but tonight am at the end of my rope!! During the night (last night ) DH peed in our hallway (wood floors) which i did not know until I took our puppy outside to pee!! Luckily we have remodeled our bathroom but DH aimed on the floor instead of the toilet, I cleaned everything up and then ths…
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For Joe C.: The respite conversation continued…..
I am wondering how your respite/placement plans are going? At the moment, I am on hold. I didn’t call mid-July to finalize plans; we were at the ‘shore, the weather was glorious, the kids and grandkids were otherwise occupied, we ended up staying and I was thinking, “This isn’t so bad; I can do this.” Once home, COVID…
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Accepting Alzheimer's, One Lost Memory at a Time
Philip Gutis is a former New York Times reporter who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/well/mind/accepting-alzheimers-one-lost-memory-at-a-time.html Very moving. ElaineD
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Simple Solutions using Duck Tape & a Robber Band
DH just finished post hospital discharge occupational therapy (OT). One really helpful tip we learned and implemented was using colored contrasting tape on our steps, to help DH differentiate one step from another. I alternated red and neon yellow using Duck brand tape which seems textured enough. I have attached a…
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Hospice Care Confusion
Dear Alzconnected Friends: There are so many posts here about Hospice Care, especially the 'evaluation' of readiness for hospice care and also the location of care (home vs. facility outside of the home). But everyone seems to refer to HOSPICE as if it is ONE provider? This is the Mayo Clinic's discussion of Hospice Care.…
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Getting things settled for end of life
Paul is very much aware of his losses. He has recently said he wants things settled, soon. He wants to get the remaining home improvements finished. We bought our cemetery plots near his parents. He wants anything he received from his parents to be passed down to his children - exceptions being anything I want to keep. He…
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A good day
I had my first really nice day in several months . both daughters came over and brought 4 grandchildren who played in sprinkler and on the slip and slide. My younger grandaughter is disabled (Sox 5/ Lamb Shaffer syndrome) . She cant coordinate running and sliding. So the three older kids took turns pushing her down the…
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Was looking for Memory Care but found Hospice
DH was admitted to Hospice yesterday. Thursday while I was out touring a great Memory Care and going to give them a deposit , my husband was home rearranging the furniture. He paced the yard and garage throughout the day and rummaged. Very active. That night he went to bed as usual , but instead of waking up at his usual…
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‘Everything I Own”
A tender moment. Among the many things I learned here is that Bread’s “Everything I Own” was written by David Gates for his father, who I understand suffered from dementia. So I bought the sheet music. I sat down at the piano and played and sang it. My DW came into the room and sat by my side. When I finished, she looked…
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A diagnosis that isn't a diagnosis
After all the tests, including a (failed) memory test, full cardiac workup, and MRI, my husband's diagnosis is "Mild Cognitive Impairment with Amnesia". No stage given, no real information about what that means, or any ideas on progression. I was told to keep an eye on things, encourage him to do brain teasers, and follow…
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The surreal life
Had a fridge to move while I was at work. Made arrangement for Tim to move fridge. Told DH (10-50 times) Left note on counter, put note on fridge and left note for Tim. After work the fridge was gone. Me: "Did Tim come and move the fridge?" DH: "No, I moved it." Me: "Where is the note I left for Tim?" DH: "Tim took it."…
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Why am I so fearful of his anger?
This month, a dear old friend reached out and wanted to get together. I am on "vacation" this week (although work is truly my vacation from home life) and thought I would be able to spend at least 4 hours with her, just reconnecting. When I mentioned to my husband that she had reached out, he initially was supportive, but…
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Any LEO's here (or part of the Blue Family)?
My DH is retired police - work he did for most of his life before he went on disability. He held many positions from patrol to detective to eventually being patrol captain and then administrative captain. I have been a Blue Wife for my entire marriage (and still consider myself part of that family). The question I have is…
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VENT: before I lose it
I have learned not to blow up at DH, no matter how upset I am. I am especially anxious and edgy right now. I want to scream. This is what would likely come out of my mouth, directed at DH, if I weren't penning this post right now. * I want you to listen to me without interrupting me. * I want you to let me talk without…
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Shoe Recommendation
My husband has an issue with swollen ankles and feet. Trying to put his shoes on has become a real struggle. He has Lewy Body dementia and is very unstable when walking, therefore cannot wear slip on shoes. Can anyone recommend a shoe brand that would be easy for me to get on him? He will not wear sandal style and they…
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Grumpy old get off my lawn man
In the past couple of years and especially since Covid my DH has become what I call the grumpy old "get off my lawn" man. When people are walking with or without dogs down our street I always get a, "They don't live in this neighborhood, they shouldn't be walking on this street." Or, "There is a park down the street I'm…
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Stuck in the grief
Dementia has taken so much- my husband (all but his physical presence), my future, my money, my piece of mind, etc. All the loss had led to overwhelming grief. It's a grief most people can't understand, so I bear it alone. There is no ritual associated with this type of loss and very little support (in my case). I can't…
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Post Hospital Discharge Therapy - Our Experience & 2 Questions
When DH was discharged from the psych hospital in June the doctor ordered physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy (ST), a medical social worker (MSW) and nursing care. At the same time, I hired an in home caregiver for 4 hours a day, one day per week. The home health agency (HHA) did not have a…
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Does MC delay death?
After several of his hospitalizations, by LO was placed in nursing facilities for "rehab". The last one had him so doped up that he was just breathing, and not much else. I guess it was good while he was there, because there was a resident who yelled all day and night, and you could hear her as soon as you entered the…
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Drugs v Services
This is an excellent op-ed piece regarding the hope/promise of drug treatments and the real need for physical and respite care . You may need to turn off your ad blocker. https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/alzheimers-drug-aduhelm-treatment-safety-net-20210806.html