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Pets and dementia
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/owning-pets-helps-stave-off-dementia-for-people-over-50-living-on-their-own/
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What to Make of Improvements to Cognition and Incontinence
Today a dear friend visited DH and confirmed what MCF staff also reported recently, that DH's cognition has improved greatly, almost like talking to a normal person, and no longer needs/wants to wear Depend. His long-term memory is very much in tact while short-term was impressive as well. He even noticed my name on the…
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Getting closer and closer to placement every day.
I've been putting this off for as long as possible thinking I might be able to endure until the end. Maybe once we get past stage 6 things will quiet down. My DW is now dbl incontinent. Then like a switch was turned on she won't go to bed until 1 or 2 in the morning now. I have to get up every hour and make sure she hasn't…
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pwl
Thanks. This is terrible. Most lonely and depressing thing I've ever dealt with. She constantly rants about things that happened 40 and 50 years ago. Same speeches every time. Over and over all day. How do you continue to love someone that hates you so much. The only peace is when one of our sons are here or she is asleep.…
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Well and truly scared
I did not get a good report yesterday, it looks like I might be headed for open heart surgery, possibly even before Christmas. Specifically a pulmonary endarterectomy, which is a relatively rare procedure. Recovery will be similar to coronary artery bypass, no driving for six weeks. That's daunting when i live 13 miles…
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Thank You
I forget to say Thank You to everyone for the support 💙
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My husband cannot sit still
My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a year ago. He is constantly "rearranging" kitchen cabinets, garage shelves, etc. It seems like he cannot sit still and tends to overdo it every day. Suggestions?
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Selfish post
I know this might sound like I'm only thinking of myself but I really am having a bad day of my own. I've been taking care of her for years, the constant shadowing, racking my brain trying to interpret everything she's telling me and she won't shut up, not for a minute, the never ever ending drama, the crying, the yelling,…
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Not my home
How do you make your DW aware that you are fighting to keep them out of an institution and keep them home and t hey are making that very difficult?
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How did you know, it is time for him to move?
Hello everyone, I am new here. My DH has been diagnosed with Alz almost two years back. It is being quite a journey. His cognition has declined considerable since then. I feel quite lost. I have tried to take care of him by myself this whole time. It is just the two of us. My family does not live in the country. He has…
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Husband's First Car Accident in His Life
My husband was diagnosed with Early Onset AD six months ago. He is still working but is planning to retire in about six months. He had the first car accident in his life last week. The details are not clear, but it is likely he pulled out in front of the other driver. He says he is not ready to stop driving and since I had…
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At what point do you say this illness starts??
What I’m asking is my wife diagnosed officially 14 months ago so is that when you say the onset started? Or when you start remembering when you noticed changes?
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Hat's off!!!
Sitting and thinking how many of you are in your 80's and even 90's possibly and you are taking care of a DH or DW with dementia and "everything" that comes with it and you are killing it! (in a good way) I'm 62 and this is kicking my arse!! I know what you are dealing with and have nothing but respect for all of you!!…
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Is it Alzheimer's?
A good read; Alzheimer's vs. Dementia. What's the difference? (msn.com)
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Feeling Conflicted and Guilty about moving on…
My wife is in the mid to later stages of AZ and is struggling to communicate, she sits quietly most of the time. In addition to AZ she has a genetic eye defect that is incurable, she is legally blind and needs help with everything. I am her caregiver and have given up most of my exercise and outdoor activities to support…
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Dumbest or most inappropriate thing someone has said to you or your LOWD
Okay, let's find a way to get a chuckle out of the inappropriate and ridiculous comments people make to either us about our LO, or directly to our LO. Here's a couple from my list Well they don't just tell you he has FTD and send you home, there's something they can do for it You should probably hurry and get a divorce so…
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This is not my home
My wife periodically will ask when I'm taking her home. If I say that she is home she calls me a liar and everything else in the book. Becomes very nasty and rants incessantly all day. I've tried everything I can think of but when that starts nothing works Usually lasts a couple days with no sleep. I can handle the memory…
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Preparing To Tell Employer (first post)
My husband was diagnosed last December at age 55. His grandmother, aunt, and mother all had it, so he knew to keep an eye out for it. Because we were caregivers for his mom, we kinda know what we are heading into. He is employed as a Construction Manager with a technology company of all things! While his manager is aware…
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Done
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so sad
Went to a lovely party with my DH last night. A dear friend's husband turned 70. We drove to another state to attend, so there was not the option of leaving him at home. At one point, I became overcome with emotion and stepped outside, practically in tears. Seeing my poor DH, so lost, among so many happy, healthy people…
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You might be a fulltime caregiver if...
I am trying to find humor anywhere I can. Yesterday I was standing in a short line at the bank and it occurred to me how nice it was to just stand there quietly without (really) worrying about my LO for a few minutes. it occurred to me that we full-time caregivers have a slightly different view of our "free time": Standing…
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I need a pep talk
I am more of a reader than a poster, but I feel like I'm going through the stages of bereavement grief (angry stage) even tho my DH is still alive. I love to share Xmas cards but this year if I would have outlined my year it would have said; Happy Holidays, I spent the first part of the year doing the usual cleaning urine…
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Good weekend, meds working??
My DH has vascular dementia, we saw neuro two weeks ago and in the last 14 months, his MoCA score has dropped. He is still at 17, but painful to watch and big change. We are 6 weeks into Aricept, his word fining has improved a lot. We traveled to his sisters this weekend, a 5 hour drive each way. He had 4 other siblings…
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How-To Manage Late Stage Patients at Home ?
As a software engineer, I am a detailed planner and seem always to be a bit ahead of myself in thinking through situations and scenarios. In the case of caregiving for DW, I am trying to make a plan for how best to care for her at home vs putting her in memory care. I also cannot get a good grasp on what stage she is in…
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My Wife, Dementia, and a Silent Christmas
My wife, always the model mother and grandmother, used to host these epic family feasts. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays - our house was a constant whirlwind of delicious food, personal touches like overflowing Easter baskets, and thoughtful gifts for everyone. She poured her heart into making each celebration…
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Helpful Suggestions Eight Years In: Part 1
My dear wife has suffered with vascular dementia for eight-plus years now. After this much time as her caregiver, and after following many of you on this forum, I would like to offer some very helpful suggestions. Many of you are struggling with this ordeal, and you may find these suggestions helpful coming from someone…
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Frustrating Healthcare Situation
A long and dreary vent - DH, 60yo, not diagnosed w dementia, but w cognitive changes that are FTDish, but could be related to heavy alcohol use or vascular changes. DH developed ear pain in Sept and fnally was in so much pain that he let me schedule Dr's visit mid Oct. (DH already has a challenging personality, his "brain"…
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Searching for the right MCF
I find myself agonizing over choosing a memory care facility both emotionally (am I ready? is DW ready? feels like sending her to prison) and logistically (finding time just to perform the search, cost, location, sales tactics, etc.) Thanks to numerous previous posts here I have some idea what to look for: · dedicated MCF…
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How does MC handle FI?
In the last couple of months my DW went from the occasional UI and FI incontinence to full blown dayile dbl. Every morning she is hysterical, screaming and yelling while I try to clean her up as well as the mess everywhere else not to mention trying to get her in the shower as that's the only way to get her clean…