-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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
-
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.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
don't know what to say to DW
I visited DW yesterday at her MCF, and it was pretty disheartening. I managed to record a bunch of our conversation and transcribe it. The key points: * She asks why she is there, what changed between us? * Why didn't I talk to her about the change? * Why don't I want to be with her? * Is there someone else? * What's the…
-
First Post. I’m living with 2 challenging men.
So very grateful that you all share your stories. I’m learning all I can. I’m truly frightened for our future. My DH, age 73 hasn’t been diagnosed with dementia yet. I suspect he’s in stage 3. Maybe 4? Of vascular dementia and ALZ. His neurology report states ‘probable mild cognitive impairment’. Dr prescribed aricept and…
-
Hypersexuality
My DH has been driving me crazy for a few years with sexual comments all day. The other day at doctor's office he told the nurse she had sexy shoes. This is the first time such comments were made to others. Never before this disease would he say something like that. Several months I spoke with his geriatric doctor about…
-
Memantine
Hi, I am new to this group. My DH was recently diagnosed with "Alzheimer's type dementia". On the 7-step scale, I would rate him between 3 and 4. We are waiting to meet with a neurologist. In the mean time, our PCP has prescribed a drug called Memantine. Are any of you willing to share your experience with this drug?
-
Advice on next steps please
Hello All, I am looking for some advice from the experts here. My DH (62) does not have a diagnosis yet, but I suspect bvFTD (that is the behavioral variant of FTD. He has some memory issues, but his behavior changed dramatically in a very short period of time and I see him struggling with his executive functioning and…
-
Not recognizing home
I am writing on behalf of my DB. His DW has had a very fast decline in the last 10 months and now not able to to do tasks around the house such as cooking or cleaning but still able to basically do her ADL’s. She all of a sudden is accusing him of moving them to a new place without her being consulted. This is a house they…
-
The lack of help is wearing me out
I have a caregiver that comes for 4 hours a week and am supposed to have another for another 4 hours. It is not enough. I need a break. His family shows up once or twice a year for a few days. Still no break. Now I am hosting guests. My parents come and get him out of the house and make decisions for me like dinner etc.…
-
Slowing progression of disease
I keep hearing that there are meds that can slow the progression of this disease but I wonder if that's only for those who are diagnosed early? At this point, I wouldn't want to have my DH stuck in this stage any longer than necessary. The anxiety, confusion, anger... if doctor recommends one of these new meds is it ok for…
-
I Am Bringing Him Home
Update: I’m sitting here in his MC room waiting for the ambulance to come bring my DH home. He’s on day 26 of not eating, day 10 of refusing all of his meds (he has significant heart issues), and day 3 of less than 8 oz of fluids/day. He’s terrified about being left alone, even for just a few minutes, so I’ve been here…
-
The most heartbreaking moment yesterday
My DW is stage 7, she hasn't been able to do anything for herself in years. She has to be hand fed, rolled over ever two hours, she's skin and bones and everything else that comes with it. She is in MC and I visit her everday to make sure she's comfortble, warm, hydrated. . . Because of the type of dementia she has, LBD,…
-
Husband newly diagnosed (55yo) - treatment?
First post! We're waiting for an appt with a neurologist to pursue next steps (blood, MRI showed no issues, mental tests showed decline). I wanted to ask here how long it took for your loved one to start any sort of treatment. So far we've gotten the "see you in 6 months" talk, but no talk of starting any treatment, other…