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When To File For SSDI?
DW received Alzheimer's diagnosis last week. Per the advice of many, we have made an appointment with a CELA, it that doesn't happen for another month. She still works part-time, but wants to quit to enjoy the rest of her somewhat lucid time. I didn't want to make any moves before consulting the atty. but my gut says file…
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Need a shoulder
One of the most difficult things about this caregiving stuff is that my family, every family, has other challenges in addition to our LO's diagnosis. It's just so much. I have an anxiety disorder. I was a nervous kid who grew up to be a nervous adult. Because I’ve dealt with it so long, I am able to work through panic…
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Logopenic Progressive Aphasia
Has anyone else been told their LO has this? After having a PET and and EEG, our physician said that he feels that my DH has this specific variant of Alzheimer's. Google has not been very helpful in obtaining information on this!! The Dr. also mentioned that there was a speech therapist doing research on patients with this…
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Practical Road Map
DW diagnosed ALZ at 64. Still able to work part time. I know generally what needs to happen like POA, wills, etc. But I want to go about it correctly in the proper order. Do I meet with Elder Care Attorney? Do I file for SSID immediately? Do I meet with estate planner? I welcome all personal experiences and links to…
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I'm ranting... this may be too much to read but... should I send this to my daughter?
We only had the official diagnosis of Alzheimer's on May 31st. Since then we let all three of our adult children know, my DH's sister and husband, and a select number of DH's closest friends. I was hoping from the family that they would appreciate the seriousness of what is happening but it seems they are not. Maybe…
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Dirty Liar
My DW has Early-Onset Alz. I hate feeling like a dirty liar when I agree with her about her driving again. I agree when she says she is looking forward to growing old together, etc. Recently and without anyone's notice or approval, her brother gave my wife's Toyota 4-Runner, which he was keeping, to his daughter (my W's…
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Need to to better!
Well not a good day! Ants in my kitchen, nest cam offline for a week and can’t fix it! DH wants to sit in the kitchen and watch me clean the ants even though he can do a gazillion other things! IRS saying we owe $700 from 2017? And DH can’t remember where he “hid turbo tax”! So spend about 2 hours tracking that down ! Now…
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Maybe I've finished my poem
I'm not sure if it's finished. Rough day today. SHE WAS SIXTEEN: In front of her house She stood waiting For what would probably be Her first time dating But as luck would have it He didn’t show I happened by And said “Hello” Almost two years later, we were married Another two years, and a bundle of joy Yet another two…
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Pre-grief
Today the husband of a family friend passed after a year of illness and 2 days on hospice. I'm not close to the husband but it hit me hard. I feel so much for our friend. But it occurred to me that I was crying for me. Watching another woman become an early widow (like me, she's in her early fifties), made me so sad for…
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Very new to this
My husband was diagnosed with mild vascular dementia with mood disturbance last week. He's 59. We also learned that he had a stroke at some time. The doctor said the CT scan couldn't tell us when, but I believe it was related to his hospitalization in October. He was 58 at the time. He has behaved differently every since.…
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Today's laugh
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DW wants to go home
So we've been married over 55 years and lived in the same house for over 40. DW's father passed away about 40 years ago. DW, diagnosed with alzheimer's, continually morns her dad even though she knows he is in heaven and she wants to go see him. DW wants to go home. She gets mad about it and has walked out of our house to…
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Placement Pending
I've posted before about wish to place my H and my son not feeling he is severe enough and more importantly being concerned about money for care after the LTC policy is exhausted. (About 5 yrs.) Update: VA did neuropsych testing in June. H has had these done numerous times in conjunction with clinical trials. What used to…
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Driving(10)
DH was diagnosed with EOAD in Nov 2021, at that time his MMSE was 24 and he was okayed ny Neuro to keep driving. Follow up in May 2022 was the same. DH is well aware of his diagnosis and has always said that when I feel he can no longer drive he will stop, and I believed it. This summer I was noticing that while his…
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VA adopts new dementia-friendly BRO validation techniques & training
This is outstanding news. A big step in the right direction for Veterans with dementia. Advanced dementia patients often need a BRO - VA News
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Checking on Ed
Ed haven't seen posts from you in a couple of days, just checking in given that you are having to play roulette with your octreotide. Hope all is okay....
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INFO TO HAVE ON HAND
ITHINK WE ALL NEED TO HAVE THESE AT THE READY IN ONE LOCATION: Taking Over Finances for Your Elderly Parents? This Checklist Can Help. (msn.com)
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can't face it today
I am so glad I can now visit my partner in MC, even though she is declining in front of my eyes. Her conversations make less and less sense. She won't socialize and rarely eats with the group, preferring to stay in her room, where she packs up her things or moves them around, over and over. She won't leave pictures on the…
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Newbie - My D/H Dx MCI in April
Hi All, Let me start by saying that we're both 69. My DH was diagnosed w/ MCI in April. July 12th we go to a Memory Care Facility for a full workup and hopefully find out which dementia he has. I've noticed his memory issues for the last couple of years, but he's a lifetime alcoholic so I attributed his bad memory to being…
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Some help for air travel with a PWD
My DW is well beyond the ability to travel. But I occasionally read here about caregivers who are concerned about air travel with their PWD. So I thought I would mention a program for air travel that I just became aware of. It is called the Sunflower Lanyard Program and is available at many US airports. An announcement…
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DW is 5 years and 9 months in Memory care
DW was MCI in 2010 , EOAD in 2012, Memory care in 2017 and no idea who I am since 2018 I torture myself with memories of the good times But as Bob Marley said : You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. for those of you early on this road. take deep breaths and tell yourself you will survive
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For discussion: what's your stress relief? Good or bad?
After sitting at my computer playing minesweeper for an hour, I'm wondering what others do for stress relief. Mindless computer games have typically been my "topical anesthesia" for the brain at the end of busy days. I try not to let it become addictive, but I wonder sometimes. I'm fortunate to have a treadmill and am…
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What to do. Need a sounding board
My DH was diagnosed about two years ago. He is on two meds to slow it down. But is on a slew of other medications also. I did take over making the pill packs about 3or 4 weeks ago. On top of that he is an alcoholic and the neurologist advised him no more than two beers at a time. Not happening. He drinks when and where he…
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Falsely Accusing Me of Infidelity
I can handle my DH's forgetfulness and losing things. I can take care of his meds and appointments and make sure bills are paid and home repairs get made. I can usually avoid arguments by agreeing with him and letting things go. However, the area I don't do well with is his accusing me of infidelity. This has been going on…
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Want to continue my activities … advice?
DH has never been very social nor has he had many interests - just one, but that is fading also. He’s always been a homebody and I on the other hand have always been socially and physically active. I can’t seem to get him interested in anything but the TV. I still continue my activities but not as much as I did. When I go…
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ALZ research for a dear friend (DF)
My Dear Friend has not been diagnosed because she refuses to get evaluated. We've been friends over 45 years and she is like my sister. I've offered to help in any way I can, as 12 years ago, I cared for my dad who had Alzheimer's until he passed away. My heart hurts that DF is going through this. Let me explain DF current…
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Sundowning and medications
My husband has been showing signs of sundowning for the past few months, slowly becoming more intense. He is not aggressive or violent, acting more frightened than anything else. He is cooperative and dependent on me. I am caring for him at home. He did not have anosognosia in the beginning and appears not to have it now…
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Suicide Attempt
My DH attempted suicide on Friday. He has been in the hospital since then for observation and evaluation. The psych nurse recommended he be admitted to an inpatient facility. She did say that the insurance/facility would most likely overrule her recommendedation due to his dementia. He was diagnosed this May with mixed…
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Risperidone
Just spoke with my DH's Neurologist. My DH is more angry & agitated lately and the Neurologist asked me 6 months ago if I wanted her to prescribe something. I said not at that time but I think it's time. She said she will put him on a very low dose of Risperidone. I agreed but decided to look up side effects and found this…