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Help Getting the Word Out!
I know none of us wish any type of dementia on anyone but it helps when someone with a "bigger voice" is able to help get the word out! https://www.facebook.com/reel/1394793775239563/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
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Retirement Community Question
My husband is in mid-dementia and is OK right now. My dilemma is wanting to move to a retirement community but if he gets worse, he will need his own housing and I can not afford paying for two communities. If he starts being aggressive or wandering he would have to leave and I don't know for how long he will still be OK.…
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When did it start?
My DH is currently in stage four, early stage five. He was officially diagnosed three years ago. I really began to suspect something was wrong when he began having trouble with electronics, something he used to excel at. Looking back, I realize his personality had begun to change long before that. What was your first clue…
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My saddest day
Yesterday my wife admitted that she can't read a clock any longer. We just buried her mom last week at 95 years old. She had dementia for at least 15 years. Probably much longer. She lived alone so who knows . My wife was diagnosed last October but has been having problems much longer. She retired in 2021 because she could…
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Husband's Reaction to Caregiver
Two weeks ago, we finally got a caregiver for 30 hours per week through Medicaid HCBS. The caregiver is very helpful, attentive and engages really well with my husband. I tried a few short trips of an hour or so, like grocery shopping, to see how he reacted to being alone with her. It went well, so when I had a dental…
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just an insurance company rant...
This year, my employer changed to the company providing prescription drug insurance coverage. Today I got a letter indicated DW extended release memantine 28mg is no longer a covered. We are instead expected to use the standard version of the pill. So instead of one extended release memantine pill per day we are expected…
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Am I expecting too much from family?
I’m pretty certain my DH aspirated some fluid night before last. I gave him some medication in the night 2 nights ago, and he immediately began with violent coughing episodes with very wet sounding coughs…which continued all night long. He said he was having trouble breathing and his oxygen level dropped to 86-88. The on…
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DH gets frustrated so easiy
It's really hard to see my DH struggle so with simple daily tasks. Today he struggled getting his seat belt buckled in the car, swearing and calling it a POS. He then complained about how uncomfortable seatbelts are for the rest of the drive. He cussed out the POS TV remote control when it was clearly operator error....He…
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Boyfriend with early stage
Does anyone have a boyfriend with dementia, repeating questions and forgets conversations? I could use some support if anyone out there can relate. He is very easygoing and loving, but wonder what this will do to our relationship in the future.
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DH hallucinating that he's going to have an affair
I am going to post this, because I haven't seen anything quite like our story. My husband is in Stage 5-6 of This Crappy Disease, and he is now telling me that he would like to start a new relationship. The woman he's interested in is a neighbor whose name we don't know. He has been irritated with me because I am the…
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The next milestone on this horrid journey
It was a hard afternoon. DH had his license medically suspended in 9/2025 and today we made the trek into the DMV office to surrender the suspended license for a photo ID. It doesn’t change anything really but I can’t help but think it was a hard thing for him to do. He was so quiet on the drive. The staffer was very kind…
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activities to pass time
I thought I'd mention an activity I used to give my DH to do. I found some colored wire connectors, marettes, keys in his garage organizer. I would set these out and give him a few plastic bowls to sort them into by color. He took it very seriously, struggling to match the colors. It also exhausted him and he would often…
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TV show??
Is there a TV show a person with dementia can follow? Do you have any suggestions? We used to watch TV together a lot, but there doesn't seem to be a show DH can follow anymore.
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Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers.
Does anyone have experiences with Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers for at-home care? My elder law attorney said I should call and apply for an in-home care Medicaid waiver. I did so yesterday. They will call me to set up an in-home evaluation of my DW. From what I can gather, if approved they…
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Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI)
Is anyone familiar with SSBCI? One of the eligible conditions is Dementia. What are the benefits? And how long does it take to process? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through the process. Thank you in advance for your comments.
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Can neuropsych test results be wrong?
Here is some background and the reason he was tested: My DH has been complaining for several years about memory problems. At first I brushed it off, but in the past 2 yrs I see it for myself. Other things that concern me are his difficulties in dealing with his phone and computer. He was always way ahead of me with…
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Bathroom troubles
Forgive me if this has been asked before. My DH no longer knows what the toilet is or what he needs to do when in front of it. I have been assisting with a urinal for him to pee into. (Also, i have a raised commode on the toilet as he resists sitting and I'm struggling getting him too sit down for a BM.) I am at my wits…
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Late middle stage dementia
I need some advice about my GF of 13years. My GF's dementia has been getting worse over the last 6 years. We live in Florida. She is at the point that she didn't recognize me when I drove up to her in my golf cart. She also didn't recognize my son last month. She has left at least 1 pot burning on the stove. She has gotten…
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Slipping Away
My spouse, so long as I have known her (14 years) has always been somewhat reality-challenged, fabricating things in her brain (much about me) that just isn't true, and resisting all attempts to impart truth. It just made her very angry to threaten the fictional world view. It's been frustrating, but tolerable so long as…
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I am new to this forum
Hi Im taking care of my 72 years old wife who was diagnosed for the last 5 years. She's manageable and taking all prescribed meds. Did any one has an experience with recent new IV anti-amyloid infusions Donanemab or lecanemab? She was not qualified because she is in moderate stage. Even if we are willing to pay out of…
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This says it all…
I’ve been in Stage 8 now for almost 2 months. I read this today and this puts in words exactly how we feel through this journey. My thoughts are with those of you still struggling with your LO or with the final goodbye.
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How do you hold it together and respond kindly?
Hi there - I think i mostly need to vent ... again. <sigh> My 73 year old DH has Alz. My best guess is early to mid stage 5. He still does all of his self care and small projects around the house. Although some tasks he really seems to obsess over. Like where the cats are, or cleaning constantly. He has difficulty with…
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Phantom items
For a couple of months or so my DH will believe he has something in his hand and will want to give it to me. At first it was occasionally, but now it is multiple times each day. I just pretend I take it from him. Today he was very careful with what he “had” in his hand and did hand it to me so I made sure to be very gentle…
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cbd gummies for caregiver
My HWD is extremely difficult and I am with him 24/7 as a sole caregiver. My PCP (his also) is very concerned about my being depressed and has suggested cbd gummies. I don't take any prescription meds and don't want to start on zoloft, etc, but am considering the gummies on a need be basis…not daily. I was wondering if any…
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How to handle behaviors ….
Craving for sweets insatiable, insists on donuts or turnovers for breakfast and lunch! He’s on metformin for diabetes. DH is either really hungry or doesn’t remember he has eaten and will go thru fridge making a sandwich if he can’t find cookies after he has eaten his meal. Wears same stained urine soaked clothes day and…
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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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DH won't go for testing
First time here - getting to the stage where I need caregiver support. My DH doesn't have a diagnosis, as he's in complete denial that he has any cognitive issues. Our PCP has given a standard test for age-related cognitive decline, which he has passed, technically. What we're living with: he can't manage finances at all,…
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Trouble diverting from calling his mother
My 74 yr old DH often wants to call his mother who passed away 15 years ago. (He is in early Stage 6). I’ve tried the suggestions I have searched for here- ice cream, tasks, walk, going for a drive (actually being in the car is where his questions can be the worst). He gets so locked in on wanting to call his mother and…
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How to answer, "Why are you here?"
My DW in the late evening often asks, "Why are you here?" I say I'm your husband but that agitates her more. I then say I'm here to keep you safe and that has the same response. Any attempt at deflection doesn't work. It usually subsides after awhile but I was wondering what you all have experienced.
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Stage 8 - One Month In
Hi all. It's a little hard to believe it's been a month since my DW passed. I'm still in the stage of trying to wrap my head around it — I'll never see her in person again. I have cried and cried some more, but honestly, my biggest feelings have been relief and gratitude. Relief she isn't suffering like she was. Relief…