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Alzheimer's in Families
I just learned yesterday that my SIL will be moving to MC this week and has been placed on Hospice. She is my DH only sibling. She was diagnosed about 2 years prior to my DH. We had dinner with her at a restaurant on June 13 - and now, 4 months later, she is unable to walk, bathe herself, and is incontinent. My DH Mother…
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THE END OF THE JOURNEY
Hello, My husband ended his long and arduous journey with this dreaded disease yesterday afternoon. Thankfully we had hospice, as they swept in like angels and worked with compassion and care to make things easier for us. Right now I am physically and mentally depleted, so i will sign off , but will write more at another…
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Family Choices
My 76 y-o DW was given a Mini Memory Test nearly a year ago. Her result was MCI, which didn’t tell me much. I first really realized something was wrong 3 years ago when several of my friends and family members told me DW said it was me that was experiencing dementia. They said they could readily tell it was her. Thinking…
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Little things that make it real
DH was diagnosed in June 2022 and it's taken me a year to wrap my head around what exactly is wrong with his brain. It's been hard since his doctors will not use the word "dementia" in their discussions with me. Finally a family member who is a doctor took the time to talk to me about what exactly is going on ...VaD or…
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Thursday's smile
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Where are we…..
My DH was diagnosed a year ago after several years of knowing there was a problem. They said he had a high IQ and mental reserves and that is why it took so long to show up. More often than not, he forgets who I am on an evening, forgets he is married. Every night he asks if anyone else is coming. He will explain where…
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Getting a diagnosis
I’m in Auckland, how do I get a diagnosis please? I feel with out my DH hearing it from a professional, we can’t move forward. Help anyone, please?
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Mum referred to memory clinic
Thankfully the doctor responded to my letter and called my Mum for a health check. Asked her several questions (including about cataract operation) and at the end asked if Dad had any concerns and he mentioned the memory issues. Dementia and Alzheimers were not mentioned but she has now been referred to a memory clinic.…
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New to this group and to ALZ
I'm new to this group, and DH was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He is 61, and his father was diagnosed with dementia, as well. I can see, now, that he has actually been struggling with symptoms for about 2 years, but I had hoped that they were simply post-surgical cognitive issues. Today, he was told by the…
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Progression confirmed and my heart breaks a little more
I've been seeing changes in my husband's understanding, abilities, and behavior over the past few months. I knew things were worse. We had a follow-up with his memory care doctor yesterday. Taking the advice of everyone here, I sent her an email in advance detailing what's been happening. We've been in contact quite a bit…
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Can't Get A Clear Answer/Diagnosis
Hi, This is my first time here and I feel like I'm finally talking to my people. My husband began his mental decline around Easter he is 66 years old and has a complex medical history. He started by thinking that things that just occured had occured before, then he started saying that this car that was driving beside us is…
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Caregiver Patience
I am caring for my husband who was recently diagnosed with moderate late onset Alzheimers. Not sure what that means as far as stages but recently it has become more difficult dealing with the various mood swings. He was fine most of the day and all of a sudden in the late afternoon he stopped talking to me. This happened a…
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Unexpected source of MCF funding
we received a letter from the company holding an annuity we own, to update us on some minor change. In the process of reviewing the annuity document, I came across a section about Nursing Home Benefit. Apparently if DH needs placement we can access funds from the annuity even though typically the money must stay invested…
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Biogen to Present New Data
For anyone following the trials for these newly approved Alzheimer’s drugs, Biogen to Present New Data at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) 2023 Meeting taking place October 24-27 in Boston, Mass.…
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Easy recipes for slow cookers...and go
Sweet and Sour Chicken 2 boneless chicken breasts 4 large bell peppers, sliced (I like to mix green and red) 1 can pineapple chunks in juice 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/2 cup white vinegar 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp sesame oil Place chicken, peppers, and pineapple in slow cooker. Mix soy sauce,…
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LIFE IN THE "WAVY TIME" STAGE 8
Hello to all, I'm finally able to collect a few thoughts which might be helpful to share. Not sure how to start, so maybe just jot down thoughts as they come to me. One of the most prominent features of these past few days has been the overwhelming fatigue that took over almost immediately when my Husband Bob died. The…
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I miss home
Hi All, I’ve always loved being home. Everything about it. Creating a pretty space, cooking, keeping things clean and orderly, relaxing in it after work and on the weekends. I miss it. Because for years now, it doesn’t feel like home. All Mirrors and some pictures are taken down, blinds drawn that reflect the “goofy son of…
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Working Still
I get so much help here. I can’t thank you all enough. Many of you are much longer on this journey than I am, facing more difficulties. My SO is progressing, no question, but her personality is the same, she’s still relatively present and she gave up driving without a fight. She’s safe alone during the day while I work,…
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psychotic episodes and rapid decline?
My DW has been having psychotic episodes such as screaming, yelling and verbal outbursts including insults and hitting. She doesn't hurt me when she hits me and I'm trying to let her know that hitting is not allowed. She also has "phantom boarder" syndrome where she thinks strangers are in the house when they are not.…
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Need ideas on how to get time away from PWD to discuss care without triggering an outburst
My Dad is my Mom's caregiver and he is burned out. He knows he needs help, but he doesn't know where to start and is overwhelmed with all of the things to consider and all of the decisions that need to be made. As a result, he is basically "frozen" and can't/won't take even the initial steps to bring in care to help him…
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New thread from GloriaByington
"First time posting. My DH seems to be in a downward spiral. He has dementia & onset of Hydrocephalus. He is unable to walk without support and is now mostly in a wheelchair except when I take him to the toilet from our bed when he uses a walker w/me helping to steady the walker. He still received Physical Therapy 2x/week…
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MC placement experience
I rarely communicate on this site, but I feel the need to assure others in the earlier portion of their journey that placement into MC is not always a bad thing. After 10 years of caring for my DH at home with plans of keeping him home to the end things can change. My earlier posts outline this journey. My rule was that we…
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Getting diagnosis
My DW is still fully funtional, she can take care of her personal functions and daily activities. However her memory is getting worse weekly, to the point that now she forgets items from 5 min ago. Aside from the memory issues she has a tendency to create narriatives in her mind that she insists are the truth. This…
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Soon, another year down
It's amazing how fast time flies when all you can see is from one moment to the next. This same time last year I thought my DW would be in MC but she's about the same as she was the year before, just creeping along ever so slowly. I wonder where we will be this time next year. Probably in the same place I am now.
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Driving
I know everyone has read about how difficult it is to get LOWD to give up driving. My problem is husband’s 55 year old daughter (not my kid. Married her dad 27yrs ago) who is currently trying to get her dad to drive 200 miles to see her. She and her husband have threatened to take LOWD away, to call elder services, to help…
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New diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment for husband
Hello all - my first post here. I'm going to type out words - I've found that the list of acronyms is limited. What is NP, for example? Anyway, husband has experienced memory decline for about two years. Finally went to a neurologist today (I was along for note taking), and received a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive…
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Crying, sadness, depression
I'm new here DH 83, dementia diagnosed 4 years ago but started well over 8 years ago. I am 15 years younger. He is well aware that his mind is not working right. I am a retired nurse, both my parents had Alz. So lots of experience related to ALZ and family. I believe he is at least stage 6. He is on the highest dose of…
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Lessons from caregiver getting covid
So I was a "covid unicorn" -- someone who had managed to make it 3 1/2 years without ever actually getting covid, until DH and I flew to Denver for my birthday and that was my gift to myself :-( So I've been isolating in a second bedroom in our condo since Friday night, while dealing with role reversal and you might…
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DW diagnosis of EO Alzheimers. First, new member post
Greetings, DW diagnosis of EO Alzheimers after professional cognitive testing, May 2023. Still in denial and "covering" stage so it has been very difficult having a conversation about the illness. Refused to go to two neurologist appointments, latter was an initial consultation with state medical institute on aging (memory…