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Sad progression
Life is rough but I'm getting by. I'm lucky to have my daughter at home to help. From where my DW was 6 months ago to now is striking. I have to help her get her clothes lined up to wear. I need to remind her to shower. I am administering her medications. Today while I was out only 30 minutes at Home Depot my daughter…
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New to this Group
I am caring for my DH who has had cognitive decline over the past 4 yrs. As I write this, I can't believe it's been that long. I am trying to abide by the rules, however find myself breaking the rules, especially when I am in the middle of something, (like doing taxes today). He has alcohol dependance with a dementia /…
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The caregiving doesn't end with placement in MC.
My DH has been in MC for about 1 1/2 weeks at one of the only standalone mc facilities in my city, which happens to be near my home. I keep reading that caregiving doesn't end with placement and that is so true. When I go to visit him, with a day or so off between visits, he is inevitably lying on the bed (he doesn't…
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Would my LO be better off in Assisted Living/Memory Care?
I am curious in getting the thoughts of from other caregivers on the above question. My spouse is currently classified and moderate/borderline severe dementia. She is still able to perform most of the ADLs. While I can currently care for her at home I am wondering if she would be better served with the higher level of…
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A Spark of Joy and Repeat TV Shows
i just want to share my spark of joy. From necessity good things can happen. I was feeling so very flat and sad a bit indulgent and I was also feeling defeated and tired. We are involved with Sailability an all inclusive sailing group. When the opportunity came up to get my power boat licence, enabling me to legally drive…
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Something Good Happened.
I’ve known my husband has Alzheimer’s for quite a few years, but recently was told he has mixed dementia Alzheimer’s/vascular. Even though he hasn’t smoked in years, the damage was done. He has phone contact with 3 siblings. One brother lives an hour away with his wife. We have not seen them in 12 years and her name was…
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Hello …
caregiver for mom (plus mom of 4, wife, 2dogs, 1cat a turtle … and a partridge in a pear tree … anyway … YES … my mom is always cold doesn’t matter what time of year the house is at a constant 76* … so WE dress for that temperature ALL year round … we figured out her comfort zone and we adjust.
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Follow up on “Can’t Sleep” post
Me …miss needy here again. I am still really struggling so I got an appointment with my Dr for this afternoon. Since the Geri Psych appointment with DH isn’t until Mar 9, I figured I need to help myself before that before I collapse. I can only get 2-3 hours of sleep but not because he wakes me. I just can’t sleep. I can’t…
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Feelings Without Memory in Alzheimer Disease
In a previous post, I mentioned the book Grace for the Unexpected Journey (Barr, 2018). It's a 60-day devotional for caregivers of people w/dementia. Today's message (Day 42: Feelings and Moments) included information about a research study (Guzmán-Vélez et al., 2014). This study, Feelings Without Memory in Alzheimer…
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Weight Loss Question
DH with ALZ is in mild stage with some moderate stage crossover behaviors. I am concerned about a 12 pound weight loss on his already thin body. He eats as he always has. His appetite is good but this weight has just dropped off over several months. PC doc seems unconcerned (I am seeking another PC). The only thing I can…
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My DW is always hot, then cold, then cold, then hot. Repeat...
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon. My DW is always complaining about being too cold. I then turn up the thermostat, and she then complains that she's too hot. So, I turn the thermostat back down. The process repeats and the hot and cold complaints are less than a minute or two of each other.
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He gave up his license!
DH's driver's license expired on his birthday at the end of January. He has been compliant with not driving after the kids and I expressed concerns six months ago and he failed an evaluation set up by his neurologist but still believes that "He deserves one more chance until something happens." I had been dreading taking…
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Valentine's Day when it feels more arrows than wings
Came across a touching article about VDay as a caregiver. Posted on a site with a lot of politics & has a religious bent so I'm not posting the link, but easy to find . Just search for "When you’re carrying the love alone on Valentine’s Day Peter Rosenberg" {hugs to everyone}
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First MC visit in a week
Today was the day I finally got to visit my DH in MC, a week after his placement. There were many scenarios playing in my head about how he would respond to me, but I never dreamed of the situation I encountered. One of the issues I had at home with him is that he would only let me do his personal care, which got to be…
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Stage 8
My vibrant, joyful, beautiful Suze passed peacefully last night. True to the fighter in her, she fought for 11 days without food or drink, giving a frustrated growl with her last breath. She finally let go to be free from this mean, mean disease, but she wasn’t happy about it. Ha! She was the love of my life. I’ll miss her…
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First time posting.
I posted this in the general area but think I probably should have posted it here instead I’ve been lurking around for a while, but my kids suggested I actually post in hopes of finding others who are going through the same or similar thing My husband (74) was diagnosed with MCI due to AD and Vascular Cognitive Impairment…
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Can't sleep
I can't seem to sleep trying to wrap my head around the almost daily changes my DH is having with this disease. For the past 2 wks he had to be wheeled from the living room to the bathroom to the bedroom or he would fall. For the last two days he's been back to walking fine but is unable to understand or communicate. Went…
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What to do?
My DW is 70 and I am 67. My DW has Alzheimers. Currently she has forgotten owr 32 years of marriage. At least she still recognizes me. She at times thinks she is still in high school. I don't know where to start or whe r e to go. I am disabled with mobility issues. I can no longer keep up our house. I fix our food,normally…
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Thank you for baring your souls
Sometimes I take a break from reading posts on here, because the feeling of dread can be overwhelming. There's so much to fear of what is to come… Just when we think it can't get any worse, it does. I'm sure you know that feeling. My heart breaks for each and every caregiver on here and it cuts deep sometimes. The grief I…
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Learning to be patient.
Hi, I'm 74 and my wife is 76. How does everyone learn to hold their tung? My wife has had Vascular Dementia for almost 2 years. She contently for what day it is. Our Daughter is now making up her pills. I have to dress her am/pm. Help her shower, bathroom needs. I'm now cooking all meals. I have hired a person to clean the…
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Incontinence bed pads
DH fell and is in rehab. He was continent before the fall, but I want to be prepared for when he comes home. I am currently looking at bed pads - both washable and disposable. Does anyone have a recommendation?
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Mom Passed Away & Dad’s Struggling - Advice Needed Badly
Hello! I’m in bad need of some advice. My Mom passed away on January 4th and my Dad, who is in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s, is really struggling. They were married for 66 years and had been living in assisted living for the past couple of years. Neither of them could drive or leave the facility with our help. They were…
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Religious Caregivers
I was wondering if anyone could suggest some pertinent Bible verses, psalms readings. I have so many Bibles from my Mom and Grandma and 10 years of Catholic School. Just trying to find comfort in written words. Thank You.
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hearing aids
DH's fall has affected his hearing. My son suggested we get him one of the over the counter hearing aids until I can get him onto the ENT and audiologist. Has anyone bought one of these that they are satisfied with? Any recommendations?
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Every stage of this disease is heart breaking
My DH is not as far a long as some but it is so tough when you see each decline. He can still do most of his ADLs but showering needs some assistance. His memory has been better than declining executive function, mobility, hearing, vision, fine motor and comprehension. He has recently forgotten what we just talked about,…
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Follow up on “what you took from me”
I wrote a follow up of my own from @Bill_2001 . I often hesitate to post cause our relationship doesn’t carry the wonderful long love story that many of you do. But then I realized maybe my post will resonate with someone. Like @BPS penned “how long” I lost my first hubby to leukemia in 1999. I never wanted to move on but…
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New Stubborn Behaviors
I mentioned in a previous post that my DH was recently in a Memory Care facility for 30 days of respite care while I recovered from a broken ankle. He’s been home for 3 weeks now. Since home, he’s experiencing some VERY stubborn and rude behaviors and refusing to cooperate with necessary care. I don’t know if it’s the…
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New to Memory Care
MY DH just moved into MC three days ago. He has now not eaten in 24 hours and is refusing his meds. He sometimes wanders around the unit but cannot find his room to return to. He asks those who come into his room to leave. The nurse tell me this is standard behavior for new residents and that there are others in the MC…
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Heavy heart
We switched neurologists in December. The last one told DH his symptoms and blood work, along with his CT scan and MRI, indicate normal aging. So no PET scan warranted, or further testing for that matter, just come back in 6 months. DH and I did not believe that assessment. At 68 years old, it is not normal to feel lost in…
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Newbie
My wife has not been professionally diagnosed with dementia of any kind, however, myself and family has seen her serious short term memory loss, paranoia, out bursts of anger, dreams becoming reality and judgement issues, like refusing to take her depression and blood pressure meds. We have tried talking to her about…