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He's forgetting how to eat
and even what food is…at least that is how it seems. I eat lunch with him on Sundays at the MC. For the last two weeks, when they bring his tray he just sits there and looks at it until I tell him to eat it. Then he looks at me and asks what he is supposed to do. This Sunday, I picked up his fork and put a piece of chicken…
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Doesn’t want to go anywhere
My DW doesn’t want to visit family or friends both locally and long distance anymore. I’m thinking it because maybe she doesn’t remember them. Half the time she asks me what my name is. Should I just not worry and take her anyway. I’ve read that changes aren’t good. Maybe I should just accept that our days staying home are…
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Lorazepam
My DH, 75 yo stage 6, living at home in hospice, was recently prescribed Lorazepam to help with nighttime agitation. Does anyone have experience with this? He sleeps the better part of the day and used to sleep all night as well, but lately he is active and busy until midnight or later — folding and refolding blankets,…
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Sleep pattern is a mess
my DH spent 3 nights in the hospital and returned home yesterday. While there, they gave him Seroquel at bedtime and it helped a lot with sleep. I could tell he had slept because when I saw him each day he was alert, upbeat, and didn’t nap at all during the day. A great relief because he wasn’t sleeping much at night when…
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Give me your dollar!
I came home from burying my wife today to find a recorded phone message dunning me for payment of an ambulance bill that is on my desk and due two weeks from now, June 16. The provider is the Sisters of Mercy, an order of Catholic nuns who purport to be a nonprofit faith-based organization. This is what the USA has instead…
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MC 1 week and major decline
I did finally place DH in MC. The building up to it was gut wrenching, however, after I felt a sense of relief knowing he has 24/7 and me some freedom. The first few days went well. Evenings somewhat challenging but not too bad. Suddenly everything changed. DH angry outbursts early afternoon. He goes in and out of every…
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Does Detailed Diagnosis Really Make a Difference?
I am struggling with some issues related to my DH, who was diagnosed with "amnestic mild cognitive impairment" late last year (72 years old with a lot of chronic health issues). I don't really have any prognosis beyond this umbrella term, but I'm beginning to think that maybe it's enough for now. His regimen of medications…
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It is the little things
As a caregiver for my DH, who has mixed dementia, I can no longer work full-time, and I haven't been in a restaurant for over a year. I mostly get out of the house when I can bring my husband with which is a challenge and can be exhausting. Recently, I have been sneaking out of the house early in the morning or late at…
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Things can change quickly
A short while back, my DW was enrolled in Hospice Care. But, 3 months later it was determined she was not declining fast enough, so she "graduated" out of Hospice Care. 5 short weeks later... Today, she was enrolled back into Hospice Care. During those 5 weeks, she lost 16 pounds. As of today, she has had almost no food…
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The Caregiver’s Brain
Greetings Friends, I have not posted here in six months. My wife’s dementia has been moving at a snail’s pace. The days, weeks, and months have melded into a fuzzy blob of time, and one day is exactly like all the others. I am nine and a half years into care giving, and the word “decade” will soon be added to the divisions…
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Love and Loss in Alzheimer’s
My Journey with this horrible Alzheimer’s disease is coming to an end now that my sweet wife of 55 years, Linda, has died on May 31st, 2025. I have learned so much about how to navigate this process over these past few years and am grateful to each of you who has shared their thoughts, experiences and advice. My life will…
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any experience with short term use of sedatives?
My DW has always been pretty good with air travel. Our last trip was December and it went fairly well. However things have really shifted the past 6 months. Any trip outside the house is now a very frightening experience. I am having trouble imagining her getting through our big city airport experience in her current…
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Breathing a little easier
I am breathing a sigh of relief for a change. A month ago I placed my husband in a very small ALF only housing up to 7 residents. Right now they have 4. I placed him after a stay in Geri Psych. Today I was told he will be getting physical therapy and will be attending an adult day care a couple times a week. This will keep…
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Now or later
I’ve got a question on how to handle this situation. My DW has EOAD. She is in late stage 5 / early stage 6. Her father passed away about 9 months ago. My DW now cries daily saying she wants to see her dad. Today I received news that her mother has been told by doctor that she has only 6 months to live. Her body is full of…
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Infusion tomorrow
After much discussion regarding the risks, my husband decided he wanted to do the Leqembi infusions. It has taken a month but we finally found an infusion center that accepts our secondary insurance. Tomorrow is his first infusion. I know he’s nervous and so am I. The side effects are super scary, but through our friends…
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Home Renovations with LO
My DH was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and is exhibiting signs of further decline (no short term memory, repeated questions, etc. etc.). We have been planning/dreaming of some substantial home renovations for many years and finally started getting estimates from contractors, including adding a first floor…
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Blood test
I am sure many of you have read about this, but for those who need a diagnosis, there is now an approved blood test for Alzheimer's that doesn't involve a spinal tap or PET scan. Alas, I do not think Medicare pays for it.
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Death Rally?
Update: I'm sitting here in my kitchen after bringing my husband home on hospice almost a week ago from MC. He's now on day 31 of not eating anything and day 15 with no meds. He wasn't really drinking much for several days and all of a sudden over the weekend, he decided he was thirsty. He consumed about 3-4 cups of fluid…
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Angry and Jealous
It’s been 5 years now since my DW was diagnosed with this terrible disease which I think is worse than cancer . She is physically very fit and looks like a 60 year old, unfortunately every single day I wake up to a new change … and not for the better either. Her memory, temper and aphasia are all getting worse . It is so…
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Update on Jo C
I’m reaching out on behalf of my mom, who most of you will know as “Jo C”. She hasn’t been online for a while, and I know that some in the community have been wondering how she’s doing. I’ve always respected her privacy here, so, while I’ve technically been a “member” for about 14 years, I’ve only ever stopped by quietly…
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Broken bone
I have known two people with stage late 6 early 7 dementia that have died about a week after breaking a hip. I don't why, if it is the shock, or the mind just can't handle that much, or if it was just a coincidence, also is it just the hip or all fracturs. My wife broke her upper arm yesterday so I am just wanting to hear…
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Delusions
I am supporting (or trying) to support my brother and SIL. The latter has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I believe the onset was at least 4 years ago when I noticed memory loss. It was not officially diagnosed until 2024. She has always been a very anxious person but more so now. Medication has largely controlled the…
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Just need to talk to my friends (205) May 2025
Thanks, CaroLynn, I kept meaning to do this yesterday and never got around to it. Chilly and c!oudy here this morning. I checked and WM will deliver something so had to go out and open the gate so they can come through and turn around without backing all the way to the road. Then. fixed my cereal and hot tea, got back in…
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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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Regressing
DH with ALZ…he has forgotten not only that he loves bbq ribs but also how to eat them. It suddenly occured to me that there have been a number of clues that his eating habits have regressed to early childhood. He now cuts all his foods …asparagus, long green beans, meats…into bite size pieces before eating. I asked him…
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Pairing college students with seniors
new platform “Joey” paired a college student needing housing with a senior couple. DW has EOAD and DH still works. Student can work off some of the rent with chores. It seemed to work out well for this pairing CBS reporting https://x.com/cbseveningnews/status/1928978603959533863?s=61&t=daLMzkQZ7dgrlrf3SDYEoA
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Worried
Taking my DH on a 2 hrs trip. He has VD and Alz. Early stages but has lots of anxiety. I so worried first time this far from home. There will be about 30 people there( all my famil). Just making me sorta nervous. Oh well gonna try might be the last time I see some of my aunts and uncles.
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Am I being unreasonable?
I’m 81, my DW is 82. I have been her primary caregiver since she was diagnosed three years ago. We live in rural Western PA. Between our prior marriages we have 8 kids. They all live far away, the closest is her daughter who lives fours away. She is in stage 5. I have had to take over all the finances, medications, meal…
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Brain Exercising
i would really like some opinions. We are involved with a disability sailing group. One particular friend, in her 50’s, double degree, has been a mother, a teacher, piano and trumpet player, sailor and scuba diver, a very accomplished all rounder. She has had 3 traumatic head injuries, lost her memory completely and the…
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Declining mobility and VD
There are so many on this site with much bigger issues than mine and farther along on the journey. DH has VD after several strokes in his parietal lobe. He has executive function issues, receptive and ecpressive language defecits but very little problem with memory. He can still do his ADLs but is declining physically at a…