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valadation/a good read
https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-11-07-validation-method-for-alzheimers
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Sold DH Car
Two days ago we sold DH car. It was only 4 years old and the dealership gave us a very fair price for it. He has not really driven it since retiring in July. He was told in December not to drive anymore after his neuro psychological test. I am in shock that he listened as he was always driving somewhere. He willingly went…
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Mixed Emotions
Its been a while since I posted...DW has been somewhat rapidly declining...We have had Hospice home care for about 6 weeks now...DW condition is basically stopped eating..1/4 of a bowl of cereal in the morning & a yogurt for supper..1-2 bottles of Ensure during the course of the day...all coached & hand fed by me...I can…
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Reminiscing during the ice storm
Today is the first day I have been able to access the internet since the ice storm started a week ago. We fared better than many in Texas. We lost power early on, but it came back on the following day. The heater broke and we were without heat for two days until I was able to have it repaired. We are still under a boil…
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I don't feel like a man anymore
My DH was diagnosed with AD May 2018. He has been very different this week. Yesterday he said I was ruining his credit because I don't charge alot on his credit card. We have bills deducted from that credit card every month and his credit is great because it's paid every month on time. He did later apologize and I had to…
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Missing Him(1)
I spend close to three hours a day with my DH in a wonderful Advanced Care Facility. He is in late 6 or beginning of stage 7. He is non verbal so I have no way of knowing what he is thinking. He kept looking at me today as if he wanted to say something. It is getting harder for me to leave when it is time to go. I go home…
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Leaving water on
Anyone have problem with lo leaving on water. DH has done so for last couple of months sometime he tells me sometimes not. Now going it daily. It’s night time I’m worried about I make sure sinks clear hot water off in main bathroom that he uses at night. Any suggestions?
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still working?
Hi all, I am interested in hearing about the experience of having your spouse/partner diagnosed while they were still working. I am trying to support my spouse through this, but he's not able to make very good decisions and I'm not really comfortable trying to deal with his job. Diane
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Mars Rover touchdown today
Slightly off topic, but for those of us looking for an exciting escape from the depressing reality we face, below is a link to the NASA website which has great information on the Mars Rover vehicle which is set to touch down on Mars this afternoon at around 1 PM Pacific time. There is a link to watch online starting about…
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Maryland in the US
Are there many here from Maryland. If so, what do you see are the issues with the state related to dementia? What do they do good or need improvement? Thanks
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2 Months
Exactly 2 months ago at 8:42 PM my DW, companion, best friend, and lover took her last breath in my arms. We grew up together as we met when she was 15 and I 16. We were always referred to as the human pretzel as we always loved being entangled in some way or another. She didn't quite make it to her 65th birthday because…
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hygiene solution, for now
DH has been letting his hygiene slide. Fewer clothes (especially undies) in the laundry. Rarely showers. So, on Valentine's day, I gave him a "spa day." I sold it hard all day. Spa Day! Spa Day! Do you want your spa this morning or this evening? Before or after dinner? We have a large Jacuzzi tub, so I filled it with…
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Dementia mimicing Bipolar disorder?
57 yo hubby hasn't been diagnosed with MCI or dementia but has signs that lead me to believe that it is beginning. He is becoming more and more grandiose, hurried and almost desperate in his plans and ideas. He is terrified of dying and "I want to be known in this community." I would describe it as almost "manic" He…
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Pretty good memoir in the February 1 New Yorker
The widower of a woman with Parkinson's described his effort to care for her at home as her hallucinations and dementia progressed. When their situation became so dire that the neighbors called the police, they took both of them to hospital. She was psychotic, and he was near death from exhaustion, malnutrition, and…
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DW Otherwise Healthy in stage 7 & can I have a life?
DW is 68. I see her 5 days a week on Face Time. She has absolutely no coherent speech and does not recognize me in any way or respond to her name. She has no skills and does not recognize a cookie on a plate. She clearly likes her personal caretaker, is happy taking showers, has to be hand fed everything, weighs 118…
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looking for one on one caregiver therapy
I've been taking care of my 93 year old mom with the help of daytime aides for almost 4 years now and her dementia is progressing a lot faster now. I have little emotional assistance and am very stressed and depressed and need someone professional to support and help me. I feel that due to Covid there must be some virtual…
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Good news (for me and DH, anyway)
Just returned from getting Moderna #1 COVID shot. My SIL is on the hospital board and was able to request that we be placed on the “drop everything and get here NOW extra vaccine” list. (We had been waiting for an e-mail from our medical portal to schedule; I was thinking it would be well into Spring/Summer before we’d get…
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Nytimes says Dementia patients twice as likely to catch cpvid
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/health/covid-dementia-risk.html?referringSource=articleShare They are also more likely to be hospitalized and die from COVID too.
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Seems to be huge changes this week?
HHas anyone noted increase loss of function in a week? DH has Alzheimers and in this last week has lost his ability to find or recogniize things? Cannot find rooms in house, or recognize what is a tub or toilet are? I know these are expected changes but seem to come on all of a sudden in last 5-7 days. He doesnt understand…
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considering MC for DH
My husband was diagnosed officially 5 years ago and is currently in late stage 6. He is 75 and am 65. He doesn't know who I am but I think he realizes I am someone he can trust most of the time. The day to day care is very stressful at this point. He is incontinent with urination and is having an increase of BM accidents.…
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A problem with light and switch
Every night now, I note that my partner sleep with the light on. Sometimes it is on when he goes to bed and he let it all the night. Sometimes it is because He goes to the toilets and doesn’t turn it off when coming back. In the toilets, light is also on... no matter (Even if difficult for me, I stopped caring about…
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My dear Valentine...one year later
Hello all and best wishes on this day! One year ago today Tom walked into heaven. My daughter, son , and myself are still recovering, but adjusting well in our individual ways. As a spouse, I want to tell you that life is truly possible on the other side. Not easy. I will never fill that empty hole. I am learning to cope…
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A valentine to DW
Valentine Dawn Feb 14 2021 You don’t know me Or why I call Your blue eyes stare As at a wall But I know you My blue eyed girl. My heart can leap Emotions swirl. You were my princess Long ago In summer heat and winter snow. We swam with sharks And walked with bears We skied down hills Without a care We loved and laughed…
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Just Beginning the Journey
I am new here, and my husband is in the early stages, it has been progressing for about 2 years and seems the last few months is progressing faster. I am 13 years younger than my husband, he is 80, I work full time and I fear I am not being a good wife because I feel my life will be over taking care of him. I don't have…
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Masks - choosing them
* I have spent so much money on masks! Trying to find ones that are safe and comfortable! I have N95s - not comfortable, but safe. I have cloth ones with filters but they are only 2 layers. I have what are probably counterfeit KN95s - very thin. And I really dislike the ear loops as they often come off my ears! There are…
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Inpatient evaluation
After suffering through almost daily rages, one so horrific I had to call 911, trying different meds, and different dosages, and having to call 911 again this morning, I had EMS take my DW to the hospital for an inpatient evaluation. After spending hours waiting to see the doctor, blood and urine tests, chest x-ray, ekg,…
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With Peewee decline I am going to be forced into early retirement.
I just don't see any other way around it. So here's my plan. In April I am going to tell the social security office of my intent to retire I will be 62 in July. I just can't work and pay someone else to come in my home and watch my Peewee. I had these people living in an old mobile home in my back yard. They were helping…
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God saw you getting tired
My bride of 58 years, still beautiful and loving stopped eating today. She is tired, frustrated, says she is "Sorry for being like she is and wants to go home". We will let go now as this poem indicates. She is so peaceful in her sleep. When she wakes she'll have ice cream. Her comfort food for enjoyment and relaxing. I…
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Guilt for enjoying a break
My husband, with Lewy Body Dementia, had an episode of cardiac syncope. Taken to e.r. Cardiac enzymes slightly elevated so kept him overnight for observation. Because of Covid I was unable to visit him. I feel so bad, but it was so wonderful to have the next day to myself, at least until discharge at 2:30. I even stopped…
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Living in the Eternal Present
Yesterday, I took DW to a new primary care physician. The doctor’s practice includes caring for many dementia patients and, when the time comes that DW has greater mobility issues, the doc will make home visits. She is also part of the local community hospital’s palliative care practice. Anticipating the future, I want the…