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Late Stage Sudden Decline
My DW was diagnosed about 8 years ago at age 62, early onset. The decline from moderate AD was slow, but perceptible along the way (slow to me means I often had a little time to adjust from one episode of decline to the next). She has been in MC for 2.5 years now. The early transitions were some of the hardest. The two…
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Vaccinations
Me and my LO got our flu and Covid vaccinations about a month ago then two weeks later got our RSV shot. All of them went well just a little sore at the vaccination point. Yesterday we got our shingles shot and things seem to be going to hell in a hand basket. DH got up at 2am and kept turning the light on and off and…
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Early onset housing options
I am a bit at a loss moving forward as there are numerous options. My wife was just diagnosed with early onset so we will be moving back to USA. I am 62 she is 56. It appears most Alzheimers patients statistically age in place at home as long as they can. I need to find us a home soon in USA and will sell our small…
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Anger
My DW was diagnosed 6 years ago with early-onset Alzheimer's. I'm 70 years old and retired two months ago. We live in Texas and relocated to her hometown in order to be closer to and gain the support of her family. The actual question is; how do I deal with her anger? She goes into a towering rage. Sometimes for what…
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To Fight or Not To Fight?
First post and so much swirling around in my head. Some background: DH is 14 years older than me. As far back as 2018, there were instances where I knew something was “off”. Everyone, including his PCP and close friends, just chalked it off to getting older. The pandemic and getting lyme’s disease exacerbated cognitive…
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Early Onset Dementia
My husband was diagnosed with dementia about six months ago. How do you cope with this disease? I feel different on different days, sometimes anger, sometimes depression, sometimes so sad. Today I feel numb. I'm just so tired of his outbursts and his anger towards me, towards himself.
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Symptoms and Stages of Dementia
Hi friends, it’s been a while since I checked in. DH is having issues sleeping. He thinks the neighbor is stealing things out of his man house and that they are taunting him and laughing at him. He also complains about being cold a lot, especially at night. The paranoia is not new. It has gotten way worse though. Could…
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Is it ever possible?
Is it ever possible to take a break from caregiving? I just went to a reunion for my old military unit, I thought everything would be ok and I had people taking care of my wife. I ended up having to come home early from the reunion because my wife got very argumentative with the caregivers. As soon as I got home, she…
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Veteran's Assistance with home accommodations and home health
Does anyone have experience with getting assistance from veteran's health benefits? If so, what have they provided? Is it dependent on financial need? Is it a lot of hassle?
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When the marriage was not good.
I am embarrassed about my title, but it is my truth and I have to find out if I am alone in my situation. In my family it has always been that when we get old, the veil of self-delusion about our lives lifts, and we are faced with our truths. My husband of 38 years has been the absolute love of my life, I have remained IN…
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Bible Verse to Lift You Up 11/27/23
THE LORD, THE GOOD SHEPHERD Ezekiel 34:15-16 New Living Translation 15 I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak... JESUS,…
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In-person Support Groups
Are there any in-person support groups in the Fort Lauderdale area where my DH can attend with me? Right now,I can't leave him alone and we haven't found any day care places (not that he is willing or ready to attend yet)
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What Vehicle Is Easy for Our PWD to Get In and Out Of?
My DH is probably in Stage 5 and is getting frail in addition to moving slowly. We currently have a sedan which I’ve never liked getting in and out of. I had previously driven an SUV for years. So I am looking at a small SUV, a Hyundai Kona. I’d love to hear your opinions of what vehicles your LOs have had an easier or…
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Medicare Rules for spousal income of non ALZ spouse
This forum is a life saver. So much to think about I had not considered. We just recieved an early stage diagnosis for my wife this past week. We retired outside of the USA over a year ago to the beautiful coast of Ecuador. We will be moving back to USA within 3-6 months. We are Alaskan residents and do not want to return…
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Just trying to bring a little laughter to you
It's hard to stay away, but I'm doing it. I haven't been reading the posts, and I won't read today. But if anyone could use a laugh, it's probably you guys. So here's my one post for today. We're having Thanksgiving at my house, and everyone is bringing a dish. We'll have a full house, and enough food to feed Griffith,…
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How to get someone diagnosed, person has 20 or so symptoms, getting no help
Hi-- I'm living with someone who I am certain has symptoms of early onset Alzheimer's. The person has always been difficult. One day the person messed up a date by eleven years. I researched and discovered she had nearly all symptoms of Alzheimer's. I spoke to my psychologist and was essentially laughed at (the person is…
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Has anyone explained to spouse exactly what they have ?
Would you advise explaining to them what’s going on.
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Cancer for Two
I have shared that my DW was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer. She is receiving radiation treatments 5 days a week which have resulted in symptom improvements. In early June I noticed a lump on the left side of my neck. When it didn't resolve, I made an appointment with my PCP who referred me to an ENT. Today, I was…
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New to the forum-Questions
I am new to the forum. My wife has Alzheimer's and was diagnosed officially a couple of months ago. She is 71. She has balance issues, difficulty getting up and standing, very poor appetite, and is sleeping a lot. Pretty much all day today. She complains of pain--sciatica, although I think it is something that is happening…
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Just sharing
Always something new! I’ve seen changes in DH over the past few months. Short term deficits- not remembering the next day the surprise 50th party our kids gave us , not remembering doing things or going places or seeing doctors. He’s also been closing all the blinds and drapes and doors in the house and doesn’t realize…
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Emory's trial results submitted to FDA
I checked clinicaltrials.gov a few days ago and found out that Emory University has turned in its Montelukast Alzheimers clinical trial results to the FDA on 17 November. FDA rules require clinical trials to report results within one year of its completion. Emory's completion date was 18 November 2022, so they took exactly…
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Pot smoking
Hello all—am wondering if any of you have experience with pot smoking and dementia. My wife, who is perhaps around stage 3, insists that smoking pot relaxes her. But I find her insufferable when she gets high. It changes her personality—she becomes even more repetitive and also seems to misapprehend so much of what I say…
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Are there times when you just don't want to be around people with "normal" lives?
So I know we, as caregivers, should not isolate from others, that we need socialization etc. However, when our friends (large group of 12) got together for dinner at a restaurant, I just didn't want to go. I just did not want to be around people who have something to look forward to, can go places and enjoy their lives. I…
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Enter Stage 8: our AD journey has ended
My amazing and beautiful DW passed away early this morning in her sleep. She looked peaceful as she left this earth. As prepared as I thought I was—heck, we’ve had hospice care for three months—I find myself shocked though not surprised. How odd the tricks our minds play. It hurts, deeply, knowing I will never see her…
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Entering the 7th
My dw is moving a little faster down the road lately. She is almost double incontinent. She's sleeping more and she has times when she is just humped over unable to move her legs or straighten up. She complains a lot about her back pain, has lost about 20 pounds in 2 months not wanting to eat. She HAD gained about 35…
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Cross posting - New stage realization. 7
Forum mates, I'm sharing here with fellow spouse/partner caregivers in case you aren't also in the other forum. It is a tough realization today that observed progression is undeniable and this stepdown feels especially ominous. Just sharing because it may help someone else, and because you all are the only ones who will…
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Freaked out with the delusional behaviors
Hello my friends, My DH has entered a new phase and is having delusional behaviors especially at night and they are freaking me out!! How do others handle the night anxiousness and talking to other people in our room and house and telling me to watch out for that man on the other side of the bed??? (Just one example) I…
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Disregard. Deleting duplicate
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More slippage, more isolation
Almost hesitant to post this, as I'm thinking out loud. But I am saddened. We have had one couple that we have remained close to through this whole journey, they have been faithful visitors to my partner and are about the only outside contact she has besides me. And yet now I feel a shift, and they are slipping away, too.…
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Happy Thanksgiving
I would like to wish my fellow caregivers and their families a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone gets to enjoy the day.