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Communication tips for caregivers of someone with dementia...
I thought these tips I read on Facebook might be helpful: You asked...and you shall receive! A blog reader recently asked me for a list of communication tips they could give family members for when they visited their parent with dementia. Here goes! Tips on Communicating with Someone Living with Dementia Connect, don’t…
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Mistakes Are Reminders
I have observed that every mistake my DH with ALZ makes causes me an instant wave of sadness because it is a reminder of this disease and the toll it is taking. It reminds me his remaining capabilities are all likely to slip away one by one. It reminds me of all the losses he has already experienced. It reminds me that I…
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Nap time
my DW, stage 5-6, is pleasant and compliant until she obviously needs a nap 2-3x per day. Ok again after a rest but lately she is less cooperative in lying down for a nap. Attitude gets very obstinate and angry. Any ideas how to persuade her to “stretch out” for a bit?
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Fluctuating hearing
Does anyone have experience with their LO having fluctuating hearing loss? My DH with AL does have hearing loss, but has been able to understand me if I speak just a little louder than normal. But, lately, there have been several days when he hasn't heard me or everything is garbled for him. I cannot tell if he is actually…
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Worst Chapter Of My Life Begins ..
After being together for 56 years , I am going to be separated from my lovely wife who suffers from this dreaded disease…I did my best to keep her home for the longest of time but unfortunately, being Carer 24/7 has taken a toll on me Next week she goes into an Assisted Living Home. Just looking at her brings tears to my…
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Moving My DW to a Home
I am moving my DW to an assisted living facility this week. It’s been long in the making. I won’t get into how we got here but instead I need to know how to make the transition for her and me as smooth as possible. For starters she does not know it’s happening. We have been to the facility together twice. And she does not…
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Medications
Has anyone added a second medication like memantine for memory and thought it has promoted a decline in memory and confusion? I have considered stopping it for my husband but don't know if it's the med or just the quick progression of the disease.
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Not sure what's going on, but I'll take it!
My DH was diagnosed a few months ago. Like everyone else, it really brought me down. He was doing the shuffling walk, forgeting everything he used to know and do, eating and sleeping habits changed drastically and we could barely carry on a conversation. In the past week and a half, there has been a real turn around.…
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Violent episode
In Canada where we live, we have access to short term respite at a LTC facility. At day 4 of a 7 day stay there was an incident that I am trying to process. Having played hockey at a very high level as a young man it appears he thought he was at hockey practice, started running and body checked a resident, sending the…
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Using Lequembi infusions
Hi- just wanted to connect with anyone who is using Lequembi. DH has had three bi monthly infusioNs to date and one MRI, which showed no abnormal brain bleeds. Seems to be tolerating it well. Our understanding is that it can’t replace current memory loss, but it can dissolve existing plaque and help prevent more from…
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visiting MC facilities
I'm going to have to start visiting MC Facilities and was wondering about dropping by unannounced vs making an appointment. The glossy ads all look so wonderful and the reviews give a different picture, so was thinking that it might be better to just stop in, so that it is not staged. Anyone have experience with this?
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New to group
This is my first posting to the group. My DH was recently diagnost with Alzheimer's. It's not too bad right now, but he is also a Diabetic and a Kidnery receipient. He takes so many medications now wtih anti-rejection drugs I'm not sure how any new drugs will affect everything. Has anyone had any experience with Diabeties…
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Anyone Living in Assisted Care with LO?
As I continue my research on possible future options to meet my DH’s needs (and mine), I would like to hear your experiences if you or someone you know has lived in assisted care as a couple —-one healthy and one with ALZ. Some care facilities allow this and some don’t in our area. But, as you know, the real information…
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MC Cost
I often hear that a plan B must be explored when the time comes that I cannot provide the care my DW needs. I have looked into a memory care facility and the cost for this is astronomical….$586.00 a day. My financial situation does not qualify for Medicaid so this would completely bankrupt us in a very short period of…
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I need advice - My husband with dementia keeps scissors for 'protection'
My husband has dementia and has become very focused on keeping a pair of scissors with him because he believes he may need them if an intruder comes into the house. He keeps them close at all times, carries them in his back pocket, and even sleeps with them. I have thought about taking them away while he is in the shower,…
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Hospice/burned out.
My DW is in hospice now. She doesn't really understand what is happening to her. She doesn't eat regularly and doesn't sleep. Her skin is turning a yellowish color. She can only stand up to use her walker if someone is there to help lift her, then she can take 3 to 4 steps before sitting down. The care home is wonderful…
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Caregiving Song
When your wife is diagnosed with Alzheimer's and you dedicate your life staying with her at a nursing home. This song is written for both of us. Being a caregiver is not easy, this is my way of coping with the everyday stress. Hopefully, you enjoy the song as much as I did making it.…
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Goodbye
My cancer has progressed to stage 4. I have stopped treatment. As this forum told me, I can’t care for my DW with the side effects of chemo. I’ve entered hospice. After an aborted attempt to move into an assisted living facility locally, I found an opening in memory care facility near where her daughter lives. I told my DW…
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A new book for caregivers early into the journey
i have just read a book on kindle which is written by a caregiver concerning her journey with her DH. Very informative and a bit of lighthearted humor at times. I enjoyed reading it and find it will be especially helpful to a new caregiver. Wish I was able to read it a few years ago. its called “Coping when your loved one…
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communication
LEAP is a particular method of communication where listening and collaboration are prioritized that has been utilized both in mental health and non-mental health diplomatic discussions. The purpose of LEAP is not to establish facts or to talk someone out of what they believe. Rather, it is to listen at a deep level and to…
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Adult Daycare Adjustment
I’ve been reading the post for a while but, this is my first time posting myself. My DW of 48 years has been diagnosed with dementia for several years now. She is moderate level, probably stage 5 some 6 on the AD scale. I can no longer leave her alone and have been trying to get her to go to Adult Daycare for a few days a…
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Is behavior issues already starting
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My first post.
I hope I'm doing this correctly, I'm not very tech savvy. We live in Washington state. My DH was diagnosed with MCI a year ago. But before that, we went and did a research study on alzheimers. He tested positive for the p-tau protein but chose not to participate in the study. His mother died from alzheimers and we've…
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wanting to go home/validation
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1172167977204030
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3 weeks tomorrow since husband passed
The quiet , the lack of activity. I had no time to think before he passed away. Now my mind is flooded with thoughts. Taking care of an alzheimer spouse is so hard and the abrupt end is really something else to deal with. My life was consumed for 10 years. Once never thought what the end would actually be
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New member. Caring for DH
My DH is somewhere between early and middle stage. He was diagnosed in 2022, at age 71, 13 months after my mother died of Alzheimer’s (she stopped taking nourishment) at the age of 93. That was a nightmare because it was Covid with my mom and no paid caregivers were available when she started needing 24 h caregiving so it…
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Wishing you all a peaceful Easter
Our lives are not what we expected them to be but i wish you some peaceful moments today and the ability to find/make some positive memories with your LO's while they are still with us, regardless of how different they are now. Sending hugs and prayers of support to all of you.
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How to answer “I want to go home”
saw this and thought it was helpful: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E8hMkJNtW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Should we travel?
My DH has been diagnosed with MCI although I suspect that he is further along in the process. He has always been close to his sister who lives several states away; and her husband passed away recently after a difficult battle with ALS. His sister is hosting a "celebration of life" open house at her home in a few weeks in…
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Was spitting food out, now vomiting
Is anyone dealing with their LO vomiting after eating? Just a short while ago he was spitting food out. Now he throws up after a few bites. He’s losing roughly 4 lbs per week and sleeping 18+ hrs per day. Is he nearing the end? I have a video dr appt tomorrow to get a referral to hospice. Any help or insight greatly…