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Rexulti's effect on my wife with aggression
I'm new to this website. My 66 year old wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She seems to be in later stages though. My wife was experiencing severe sundowning in the late afternoon to early evening. She was aggressive towards me. She occasionally shoves and pushes me. She once tore the iPad out of my hands and ripped the…
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Depakote and Benadryl showing positive results
We started adding depakote (125mg) and a low dose of Benadryl to the serequol on Friday and I am seeing benefits. For those who’ve seen some of my posts my DW is one who is literally on her feet all day from when she wakes up till bed with temazepam. Different levels of restlessness and agitation. Mainly moderate to high.…
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Trying to keep up with life...
We are all in various stages of this horrid disease. Some caregivers spend most of their time on their LOs needs every day. Others who aren't as far along on the journey modify the environment and provide support as needed fo LOs who are still able to do their ADLs. I'm in the later group and am trying to stay on top of…
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Neuro-psych evaluation
My DH was diagnosed with MCI over a year ago, although I never felt that his neurologist did a complete evaluation. While I think that he got us started on the right path with Aricept and Cymbalta, we never got much info from him other than the MCI conclusion and now quarterly visits that just last a few minutes. I…
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affect of anesthesia?
my wife had what we thought was middle stage Alzheimer when she fell and broke her upper femur. she had surgery and was in rehab for 20 days then brought home. she steadily declined and her doc recommended hospice. she was dead in 2 weeks. my question is does the anesthesia have a profound affect on Alzheimer patients?
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Fixation with Driving
Those who post on this site provide a welcome wealth of wisdom. A frequent topic is giving up driving. To say this has been hard for my DH is an understatement. He was first officially diagnosed with MCI 8 years ago, and this was changed to AD 5 years ago. It was definitely time to give up driving when his geriatric…
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Need advice for choosing a blanket
We have been married for 55 years and always slept in a king-size bed with king-size quilts. Within the last month I have thrown out a quilt and have a second one at the cleaner (not cheap). My DW is starting to become incontinent. I intend to remain sleeping with my DW in a king-size bed as long as it is practical. We…
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Any experience with Rexulti?
DH has been getting more delusional and agitated. Doc suggested a switch from olanzapine to rexulti. Wondered if there is any experience with rexulti out there. I know every PWD is different but would still like to hear about experiences with this med. Also what dose at what time of day? Doc suggested a cutback reducing…
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Help with nail care
My husband's finger and toe nails need some serious attention, beyond what I feel i am able to do. His finger nails are long, yellowed and thick. A few of them are black in color and look terrible. His toe nails are really long and very thick. I'm amazed he can even get socks on over them, they are bad. They are too thick…
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Memory Care Hell
I placed DH in what was a reputable MC in September. It would take too long to share all the problems. But I have met with corporate leaders and now have the ombudsman involved. I have another facility evaluating him Monday. I fear that they will label him difficult or combative and make moving more difficult. Currently,…
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Feedback on a Draft Manuscript on Caring for an adult child
I’m looking for feedback from caregivers in Alzconnected about my manuscript based on the years from 2017-24 when I cared for my daughter. She died from Alzheimer’s n 2024 at the age of 58. I thought members might be interested in reading about my experience managing my emotional highs and lows. All I ask is that readers…
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Managing the Late-Comers
I wonder if anyone else has experienced this and has a good way to manage it. As it goes, the cavalry has not come, except I've been super lucky to have one of my DW's sisters come give me a couple of respite days every couple of months, so it could definitely be worse. That said, now that I've updated folks with the info…
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Intimacy and guilt
My DH (probably late stage 4 or into stage 5?) makes comments and wants to be intimate alot! I on the otherhand have not wanted to for some time, just no desire. I feel guilty for not being intimate with him, but just can not bring myself to. DH has always had a higher drive than me. I keep thinking this will probably get…
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How to handle my frustrations
My husband has lost his short term memory. I get frustrated with being asked the same questions and topics. Need advice or tips. Thank you
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Will my dh ever understand he has dementia?
Is there ever a time my husband will realize and accept that he has dementia? After at least 10 years of a slow decline, I’m just worn out from it, and incredulous that he’s still adamant he has no issues with memory. He screams that it’s ME who has the problem. To the outside world, he can seem pretty normal. And he’s not…
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Emotional Breakdown This Morning
I don’t know why I’m posting this, maybe just to acknowledge my emotions and share a positive. I’ve had contractors working on our home and property for 2 weeks. This morning they needed materials out of our garage. The garage is a train wreck. My husband’s son was going to help me clean it out but decided instead he’d…
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Start of incontinence
I knew the day would come. DH is now urinary incontinent for about a week now. I’ve been lucky it held off for as long as it did. He’s always been very resistant to my helping him in the bathroom with cleaning himself, etc, and it’s worse now. I don’t know how I’m going to get him to wear pull-ups when it’s hard to even…
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Not Recognizing Family Members
Any advice would be appreciated. We are only 1 1/2 yrs into this (I think] still no diagnosis. My DH has been suffering with memory loss, trouble finding foods and difficulty recognizing objects. It come and goes, some days better than others. Yesterday at our grandson’s high school graduation party he didn’t know ho our…
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So Frustrating
This is one part of this terrible disease that just frustrates me so much. How can you have a great day with your LO in a great mood enjoying each other and all of a sudden they just start crying uncontrollably for no reason in my mind what may have caused the change.
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Facing the Emotional Side of Caregiving
This website has helped me deal with some of my feelings, and to be kind to myself when doing so. I hope it helps you, too! https://www.caregiver.org/resource/emotional-side-caregiving "If you don’t deal with ALL of your emotions, they can be like a two-year-old who wants your attention: they will keep tugging at you until…
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How to deal with denial
My DH is probably in stage 5 or 6 Alzheimer's. Ever since the diagnosis was made (about 4 years ago) he has adamantly denied that there is anything wrong with him. He now freely admits that his memory is not good, but if I say or do anything that makes him aware that I am "caregiving" he says that I am treating him as if…
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Life is getting harder...
Life is getting harder and DH isn't as far along as many of yours. I should have known better but we went to Costco together today. DH uses a scooter cart and follows me. Today was just so much harder. He had to use the restroom and barely made it through checkout but he made it. I took groceries to the car and then picked…
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Unprepared
With every decline, I feel so unprepared. I know what is coming, and yet each decline surprises me and breaks my heart. DH was accepted for hospice at home in September. I didn’t think he would qualify because he was still speaking and eating, not losing weight, able to swallow. But he was non-ambulatory. Yesterday he was…
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My DH passed away this morning...
After 8 long days of watching and waiting, my DH passed away this morning. I am so thankful that his suffering is over, but I can't imagine life without him. I was there when he passed, and it means a lot to me to know that he wasn't alone. I will pray for him and for all of you who are navigating this terrible disease.…
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Is There An Organization That Rates Home Care Agencies
Hello. I am starting to consider my home care options. My husband was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimers last month. Like many people, I want to be able to keep him home for as long as possible but I also know that I will be needing help sometime in the future. I was at an Alzheimer's Support Group recently and another…
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Forward Planning
My wife is in her 8th year of diagnosis and lately has been slipping more and more. At some point, she will need more care than I can give, first in-home and then who knows? I will need to sell our house, which also involves getting rid of both valuable and kitschy possessions gathered over the last half century. How have…
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Affording help or MC
I have always thought I could never afford to pay out of pocket for in home help or even have memory care as an option. We are not wealthy but we have too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay out of pocket. It is extremely important to talk to an elder care attorney early on in the process. Many people…
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Counseling for Mom
Hello all, I am trying to find Counseling for my mom who is now caring for my dad who has Alz. They are both in assisted living because she would not send him without her. She is depressed and would like to see a Counselor. I am having a hard time finding a Counselor that specializes in Aging/Caregiver support that I may…
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Out of state “friends” hardly there and know everything
I am so exhausted as most here are. I need a moment to vent some frustrations. Why is it family and friends from out of state feel the need to input opinions after little to no contact except maybe a 15 minute phone conversation every 4-6 months. One has little to no knowledge of disease progression let alone what has…
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Incontinence
My dad has become completely incontinent as far as urinating. He soaks the bed he sleeps in with my mom and she is completely fed up...she and the assisted living staff have to change the bedding every day. He soaks all the blankets and now we need to replace the mattress (although we have a mattress protector on the…