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Care documents
I tried enrolling my DW in day care a couple of days a week. After all paperwork was completed and just a couple of days before she was to begin, her enrollment was denied due to possible fecal incontinence. (The facility did not have a shower). This information is being mentioned because of things I may have subsequently…
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Insurance Question re Kaiser Permanente Insurance
I a wondering if there is any one out there that has Kaiser Permanente Insurance along with Medicare. Does Kaiser provide any help with dementia patients such as caregiving or other help for the patient and caregiver?
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First time to forum - realized I needed a support group
My DH had AD diagnosis last summer '23. He had declining memory over the past 5 years with all tests - 3 times over those years- MRIs, MRAs, EEGs, etc. and all said Normal. The only test declining was the neuro-psych test which verifies he is down to the Minimum of short term memory. He will be 70 in June - I am 66. It is…
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How to educate someone to help with PWD
I have a neighbor who has expressed willingness to be a helper/friend to DH. He is retired, nearby, pleasant. Although he has a willing spirit, he has no experience with PWD. Surely there are some easy-to-read pamphlets, etc that will introduce a novice to the overall situation. I don't think my friend wants to know the…
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Not sure what to make of new behavior.
DH and I until very recently have been able to enjoy a movie or tv show together even if he has trouble following. All of a sudden, he thinks the movie is trying to communicate to him and he asks me to help him write down their instruction so that he can get the key. He becomes very agitated if he can’t get the message and…
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Post-Hospitalization
DH collapsed outside on Saturday. He's 81 with mild/moderate Alzheimers. Good health otherwise. I found him on the woodpile looking near death. He was unresponsive and limp. The hospital could not identify exactly what caused the collapse and it is possible he fell and hit his head. There were stress enzymes (troponin)…
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Respite caregiver struggle
My DW is early/mid stage Alzheimer's. I recently hired a caregiver/respite worker to come for 3 hours a week. He's an experienced fellow and provides not only assurance of her safety but also engaging conversation. She seems engaged with him when he comes but afterward gets angry with me and sad for about a day. I think it…
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Diagnosis
What are the first steps your Dr will take to diagnose ?
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ADL hints
Is there a specific section that discusses how to's of ADL? I'm struggling with toileting. I don't know how to help my sweet husband. Pad boosters, adult briefs, cleaning, etc. I keep thinking I'm making it harder on myself. This diagnosis was a shock to me. How do I adjust, where do I go for help, etc. The one thing that…
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Early incontinence
My DW was formally diagnosed last Oct. However, she tested poorly over three years ago just never had more testing. Her symptoms are mild and she is still very self sufficient. She also has anosognosia so there is no recognition that anything is wrong. Over the last few weeks she has had a little urinary incontinence right…
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Weight loss in Stage 7, how serious is it?
My DW is now well into Stage 7 and is on hospice. She sleeps 20+ hours a day, and is barely awake the rest of the time. She rarely opens her eyes. She does however still eat puréed food and thickened liquids fairly well, usually finishing most of what is offered her. She has been losing weight for about a year, but the…
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New to this site but not new to dementia
Mom was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, moved to MC in 2019, and passed in Oct 2022. DH was diagnosed with dementia in April 2023. I am his full-time caregiver, with some help from our son and nearing teenage grandson. Mom was in stage 2 when COVID shut everything down. When MC finally reopened for visits she was in stage…
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Buying a home solo
DH is Stage 6 Banker said he must be vetted for mortgage and he will be required to sign for mortgage even if I am purchasing based on my income credit etc. I tried to explain he is incompetent and cannot be responsible for anything. Wondering if anyone else ran into this problem. I know it is state by state. This is…
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How to see group discussions
I joined a private group but don't know how to join the discussions of the group. Can someone explain?
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Setting my expectations for symptom relief from medicines
My DH is in early stage 6 Alzheimer's. He has been being treated by a new neurologist for the last six weeks to try to find a combination of prescription medicines that can alleviate his agitation, delusions, and angry outbursts. The doctor has several decades of experience treating people with dementia. So far the…
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I need help
Hi, I’m Janet. I take care of my husband with Alzheimer’s. I would really like to talk to someone going through the same things. He is in the moderate stage and is 77, I’m 73.
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Dh went home
I haven’t written much in a while because of the fast progression that has been happening with my husband. Took him to the VA ER last Friday thinking maybe he had a UTI, he had so many of the symptoms, except for saying “I want to die, why can’t I just die “. They kept him in the hospital and this Saturday 3/16, he got his…
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Aricept and Namenda debate
Hello friends, I do not post often but surely keep up here as my lifeline in the journey. Your advice in the past as been so beneficial, I thought I would put my question out there and see what the ‘experts’ (literally) think.. So we are in late stage 6 I believe. In January it was specified DH’s dementia was likely Lewy…
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Newbie Questions
Hello, I just started posting this weekend after having read for a few months. My brother is a few years away from turning 65, and a few days away from his MRI. His wife speaks english as a second language, so they've asked me to be actively involved helping him through this. One of the old discussions I read recently was…
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Frustrating vent
I am getting tired! Typical morning I get up make coffee and start picking up what DH has "put in a safe place" during the night. He sits on the couch and drinks his coffee as I make him breakfast. Knocks it over so I have to clean the coffee table and the rug. His remark "Isn't that why they call it a coffee table?" than…
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A new diagnosis
Recently the diagnosis for my spouse is vascular dementia. I do not know what to do next or what help to get. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you
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I Am On My Own Now
I continue to go to this site numerous times a day - the empathy and experience of the participants here is the best support I have found. I am in a place now where a lot of you have found yourself in - I'm alone in this horrible ambiguous grief cycle called Alzheimer's. Bill posted "The Calvary is not Coming" and I read…
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No more driving
My husband has Alzheimers and recently took a road test for triple A at his doctor's suggestion. I found out the results yesterday and it didn't go well at all. How did you break the news to them that they had to stop driving? He's only 73.
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Just need to vent
After reading so much about the trials that so many of you have I feel bad about whining about my situation. My DW is really very easy to care for, her short term memory is pretty much gone and she seems to live in the moment, with no concerns about yesterday or tomorrow but she takes care of her own ADL's and is quite…
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Traveling
Hope you all are hanging in there as best you can. I am sitting on this quiet morning, DW asleep, and enjoying a little time to myself. Well, sort of enjoying. My mind is spinning away about a trip I need to take to visit my parents back in the midwest. A five hour flight, potentially with my DW. I know it will be a…
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Swallowing problems in Alz.
I mentioned this in my question about hospice timing, but still have questions someone might be able to answer. To recap, my husband is 71 and was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia about 8 years ago. He also has diabetes and some other things. He is mostly stage 6 now, and has lots of confusion,…
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Apple watch and falls
DW was always the techie and now my son in law has the role Everyone insisted I should get an Apple Watch for its fall notification. When your children are as smart as mine you do as you are told. so I got the watch On my recent cruise through the Panama canal I was in Puerto Vallarta Mexico and I tripped on the curb and…
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Just saying hello
New to this. I’m Jack and I recently retired to stay home and take care of the wife, who is in the mid stages of Alzheimer’s. We do ok mostly i guess. Sure could use a little more of her boys help. It’s a shame but they just don’t know how bad she’s getting. Cause when they do come we try our best to act normal I guess.…
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PACE
Please share your experiences with the PACE program. I've just initiated contact with them. I'll post here once I get more info. If your loved one is receiving PACE services, please share details and tips, hours, ADL requirements, and whether you act as the PCA or bring someone in. Thank you. What is the Program of…
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Hypersexuality
My husband talks about sex constantly, uses language he never used before, and is grabby like a teenager ( he's 72). I am not dealing well with this, I see him differently now that I am his caretaker and he is incontinent and hates to shower. I usually change the subject but it's making him upset.